Nebraska Extension, USDA NRCS Announce Launch of Regenerative Agriculture Learning Hub

Premiering Jan. 15, 2026, the Regenerative Agriculture Learning Hub from Nebraska Extension and USDA NRCS will connect farmers and agricultural professionals with practical, research-based strategies to strengthen soil health and farm resilience.

Offered virtually, this free one-month program provides a comprehensive introduction to regenerative agriculture practices and their economic, environmental and management benefits. Participants will explore key topics impacting producers across Nebraska, including:

• Efficient resource use
• Soil and water conservation
• Building climate-resilient farming systems
• Cover crops
• Diversified cropping systems
• Crop-livestock integration
• Nutrient and manure management

Program topics and speakers include:

• Overview: Efficient Use of Resources with Regenerative Ag Practices — Joe Luck
• Soil and Water Conservation Strategies for Nebraska Farmers — Aaron Mittelstet
• Building Weather Resilient Farming Systems — Eric Hunt
• NRCS Programs and Incentives in Nebraska — Carlos Villarreal
• Cover Crops and Cropping System Diversification — Jenny Brhel
• Crop - Livestock Integration in Regenerative Systems — Mary Drewnoski
• Crop - Cover Crop Economics — Cory Walters
• Soil Health Principles and Improvement Strategies — Katja Koehler-Cole
• Soil Carbon and How It Is Managed; Monitoring Changes in Soil Health — Caro Córdova
• Water Quality and Conservation Practices — Anni Poetzl
• Managing Nutrients for Farm Efficiency — Javed Iqbal
• Manure Management and Application Strategies — Amy Schmidt

CEU Credits and Digital Badge

Continuing education unit (CEU) credits and a digital badge in regenerative agriculture are available upon completion of the program. Participants may complete one or two individual modules if they are only seeking CEU credits, or complete all three modules to earn the digital badge and a total of 6.5 CEUs.

The program includes three modules, each offering 2–2.5 CEUs. CEU allocations by module are outlined below:

• Module 1: Conservation Strategies for Resilient Nebraska Farms — 2 CEUs
  (1 soil CEU, 0.5 crop CEU, 0.5 precision ag CEU)
• Module 2: Regenerative Agriculture Practices and Their Benefits — 2 CEUs
  (1.5 nutrient CEUs, 0.5 soil CEU)
• Module 3: Ecosystem Services — 2.5 CEUs
  (1 nutrient CEU, 1.5 soil CEUs)

Participation in the Regenerative Agriculture Learning Hub is offered at no cost, thanks to support from Nebraska Extension and USDA NRCS.

Tri-Basin office will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Day. We will reopen Tuesday at 8:00 a.m.

Tri-Basin Natural Resources District Board of Directors will hold a Board of Directors meeting at Tri-Basin Natural Resources District, 1723 Burlington St., Holdrege, NE. The agenda is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Tri-Basin NRD Office, 1723 Burlington Street, Holdrege, Nebraska, and (877) 995-6688.  Individuals with disabilities may request auxiliary aids and services necessary for participation by contacting the district office at the phone number and address listed above, at least two days in advance of the meeting.

Learn the basics of applying prescribed fire to the landscape!
For landowners, resource professionals, volunteer fire departments, and others interested in burning.
No prior burn experience is necessary to participate.

Phelps County Ag Center
1308 2nd St
Holdrege NE 68949

$10/person - Includes lunch and workshop materials

Register Here:
https://nebraskapf.com/prescribed-fire/

Featuring
Fire Behavior
Uses and Benefits
Smoke Management
Equipment and Safety
Prescribed Burn Associations

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
RELATING TO THE TRI-BASIN REPUBLICAN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT AND THE
NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF WATER, ENERGY, AND ENVIRONMENT
PROPOSED INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT PLAN

Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 46-718 and 46-743, the Tri-Basin Republican Natural Resources District (TBNRD) and the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (Department) hereby provide notice that the TBNRD and the Department shall hold a public hearing on February 4, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
Central Time at the TBNRD office, located at 1723 Burlington St, Holdrege, Nebraska. As required by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 46-718(1), the purpose of the hearing is to take testimony on the proposed Second-Generation Integrated Management Plan (IMP) jointly developed by the Department and TBNRD and the proposed controls. Prior to the public hearing, TBNRD and the Department will hold a public information meeting at the TBNRD office on February 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time. This meeting provides the public an opportunity to learn about the IMP and ask questions prior to the public hearing.
Tri-Basin NRD
1723 Burlington Street, Holdrege, NE 68949
Phone: (308) 995-6688     Fax: (308) 995-6992      Email: tribasin@tribasinnrd.org
The geographic area for the proposed IMP, including for the proposed groundwater and surface water controls, encompasses the entire land area within the Republican Basin portion of TBNRD. A general description of the proposed IMP includes the following: I. Effective Date, II. Introduction, III. Authority and Background, IV. Map and Management Area Boundaries, V. Goals and Objectives, VI. Action Items, VII. Monitoring and Studies, VIII. Review and Modifications, IX. Information Considered, and X. Definitions. Section VI. of the IMP outlines the controls for groundwater and surface water management that are consistent with meeting the goals and objectives of the IMP. The groundwater controls are separated into Compliance Standards and other controls. The controls found in the existing IMP (available at https://dwee.nebraska.gov) will continue to be used in the proposed IMP. The proposed substantive changes to the controls include adding two Compliance Standards, clarifying Groundwater Regulatory Action Items, and ensuring the proposed IMP aligns with the other Republican NRD IMPs to be in compliance with the Republican Basin-wide Plan and Republican River Compact.
Any interested person may appear at the hearing and present written or oral testimony concerning the proposed IMP and proposed controls. Individuals with disabilities may request auxiliary aids and service necessary for participation by contacting the TBNRD or the Department by January 28, 2026. Testimony or other evidence relevant to the purposes of the hearing may also be submitted in writing to Tri-Basin NRD, 1723 Burlington St, Holdrege, NE, 68949, or the Department of Water, Energy, and Environment, 245 Fallbrook Blvd suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68521, or by electronic mail at dwee.legalfile@nebraska.gov by 5:00pm, January 28, 2026. 
The full text of the proposed IMP and proposed controls may be obtained via the TBNRD’s website at https://www.tribasinnrd.org or telephone (308) 995-6688 or the Department’s website at: https://dwee.nebraska.gov or telephone (402) 471-2363. Following the public hearing the TBNRD and the Department will make a joint decision within 60 days of whether to implement the proposed IMP with or without modifications and whether to adopt and implement the controls as proposed in the IMP.

South-Central Water Conference will bring experts and area agricultural producers together to discuss important water issues. Contact the Tri-Basin NRD with any questions. (308-995-6688)

Area merchants and agricultural suppliers will be on hand to discuss their products and services with attendees.

Hosts for the event are Tri-Basin Natural Resources District, Lower Republican Natural Resources District, Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, and Nebraska Extension.

Location: Phelps County Ag Center

2026 South-Central Water Conference Agenda

Tri-Basin NRD will be closed in honor of Washington's Birthday. We will reopen the next day at 8:00 AM.

Tri-Basin Natural Resources District Board of Directors will hold a Board of Directors meeting at Tri-Basin Natural Resources District, 1723 Burlington St., Holdrege, NE. The agenda is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Tri-Basin NRD Office, 1723 Burlington Street, Holdrege, Nebraska, and (877) 995-6688.  Individuals with disabilities may request auxiliary aids and services necessary for participation by contacting the district office at the phone number and address listed above, at least two days in advance of the meeting.

Tri-Basin Natural Resources District Board of Directors will hold a Board of Directors meeting at Tri-Basin Natural Resources District, 1723 Burlington St., Holdrege, NE. The agenda is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Tri-Basin NRD Office, 1723 Burlington Street, Holdrege, Nebraska, and (877) 995-6688.  Individuals with disabilities may request auxiliary aids and services necessary for participation by contacting the district office at the phone number and address listed above, at least two days in advance of the meeting.

The Water Jamboree is an educational fun day for fifth and sixth grade students in south central Nebraska and north central Kansas. Students participate in water activities relating to aquatic life, recreational uses, water quality, non-point source pollution, irrigation, historical aspects of water, plants and water, and how water quality affects wildlife.  For more information check out our education page.

Celebrate mothers today.

A Regular Board of Directors Meeting will be held at Tri-Basin Natural Resources District, 1723 Burlington St., Holdrege, NE 68949. The agenda is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Tri-Basin NRD Office, 1723 N. Burlington Street, Holdrege, Nebraska, and (877) 995-6688. Individuals with disabilities may request auxiliary aids and services necessary for participation by contacting the district office at the phone number and address listed above, at least two days in advance of the meeting.

Remembering All Who Served

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The Flag Resolution, passed on June 14, 1777, stated: "Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." reference

Gov. Pete Ricketts has proclaimed June 15-21, 2026, Nebraska Pollinator Week. June is also National Pollinators Month.

Game & Parks Resources: Nebraska Pollinator Patrol

Nebraskaland Magazine: Pollinator Information

NACD Resources: Pollinators

Tri-Basin Natural Resources District Board of Directors will hold a Regular Board of Directors Meeting at Tri-Basin Natural Resources District, 1723 Burlington St., Holdrege, NE 68949. The agenda is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Tri-Basin NRD Office, 1723 Burlington Street, Holdrege, Nebraska, and (877) 995-6688. Individuals with disabilities may request auxiliary aids and services necessary for participation by contacting the district office at the phone number and address listed above, at least two days in advance of the meeting.

Tri-Basin NRD will remain open to serve the public.

Nebraska’s NRDs annually host a natural resources camp called Adventure Camp about the Environment (ACE). ACE is open to students who have who have completed 6th or 7th grade and want to learn more about natural resources over their summer. The areas campers will learn about: water, forestry, range, wildlife, and soils. Campers will experience hands-on activities with a variety of presenters and explore possible careers in natural resources. ACE is hosted annually in June from Sunday to Wednesday at Kamp Kaleo near Burwell, Nebraska.  Find pictures and fun on our ACE Camp Facebook page at Adventure Camp about the Environment!

REGISTER HERE

Tri-Basin NRD office will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day. We will reopen Tuesday at 8:00 a.m.