Creativity and innovation were rewarded at the 2025 Lick Tub Challenge, hosted by the North Central RC&D. Held in conjunction with the Sandhills Ranch Expo, repurposed lick tubs were converted from waste and judged on originality and functionality. John Connell from Long Pine made a tractor with a baler and won the first-place cash prize in the youth division as well as the people’s choice award. The adult division was won by Scott Ruzicka of Verdigre, who utilized old mineral tubs to make a water fountain. The event was made possible through the support of sponsors Anson’s Feed & Trucking in Atkinson, Long Pine Feed Service, Rio Nutrition out of Valentine, Suther Feeds in Verdigre, and Vitalix, Inc. from Broken Bow. Ruzicka donated his cash award back to the RC&D to help with continued efforts in bringing recycling events to the area. The North Central RC&D serves six Nebraska counties, focusing on protecting natural resources and making local communities better places to live.

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Senator Deb Fischer, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced she advanced $16 million in additional funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facility at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) Innovation Campus through the Senate Appropriations Committee.

MID SEASON FORAGE CHECK - Ben Beckman As we move through midsummer, it’s time to evaluate our forage situation. Depending on your location, meadow hay harvest might be starting, you could be on your second cutting of alfalfa, or preparing to cut warm-season annual crops soon.

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The Meadville Cultural and Historical Museum had their grand opening on July 5th. Over 150 were in attendance.