Much of Nebraska's agricultural output is for livestock feed, but increasingly production has begun to focus also on human consumption and sustainable food supplies. The University of Nebraska Rural Initiative began 4 years ago to promote Nebraska food producers by joining MarketMaker, a free interactive web-based service that connects food producers, distributors and sellers to consumer markets. In 2008, the Rural Initiative began an intensive effort to organize Nebraska local foods producers and local foods advocate organizations into the Nebraska Local Foods Network.
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For the latest Census statistics on local food systems click on the link above. The Atlas offers a spatial overview of a community's abilities to access healthy food and its success in doing so. The site has assembled county-level statistics on food choices, health and wellbeing and community characteristics.
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The University of Nebraska Rural Initiative supports the work of Roger Wilson, Farm Management Budget Analyst at UNL's Department of Agricultural Economics. Click above to access his interactive Excel spreadsheets on selected horticultural crops and small animal production.
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The Rural Initiative supports research and development into organic and alternative crop production in Nebraska. Two "Hi-Tunnel" greenhouses designed for this effort are now completed in North Platte and UNL East Campus in Lincoln.
Click on:
- the link above to read a summary of activities at the North Platte greenhouse in 2008.
- here to read a report of the startup of the high tunnel greenhouse at UNL
- here for a report from hi-tunnel graduate assistant Natalie Sukup on how hi-tunnel greenhouses can extend the growing season in Nebraska.
- here for an informative brochure about hi-tunnel greenhouses.
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Nebraska MarketMaker helps food entrepreneurs identify and develop new and profitable markets. Click on the link for more details.
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Over the years the Rural Initiative has helped support the capabilities of The FPC and its successes in assisting Nebraska food companies, whether locating funding or in need of technical assistance. Since 1989, the Center's nationally recognized effort, the Food Entrepreneur Assistance Program, has been helping entrepreneurs from throughout the country achieve their dream of starting a food business.
