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West Central Research and Extension Center centennial event Sept. 17
Nebraska
Nebraska Congressman Tom Osborne will be the guest speaker at a celebration marking the centennial of the University of Nebraska West Central Research and Extension Center at North Platte on Friday, Sept. 17.
The event, which is open to the public, will feature demonstrations and tours of the center, as well as a complimentary lunch. A variety of exhibits will showcase research at the extension center.
In 1903, legislation was passed and signed by Gov. John H. Mickey, which recommended that an agricultural substation be established in western Nebraska to " determine the adaptability of the arid and semiarid portions of Nebraska to agriculture, horticulture and forest tree growing, such as the production of grain, grasses, root crops and fruits of the kinds commonly grown in such latitudes of other states, also the most economical methods of growing such crops without irrigation." The land was purchased in 1904.
The importance of growing crops with irrigation and livestock's value to the region led the center to expand its mission into these areas.
Today, researchers in the West Central District, which includes 20 counties, investigate both dryland and irrigated cropping systems, water use, soil fertility, weed management, horticulture, range management, beef systems and reproductive management, hydrogeology, forestry, 4-H and youth development, agricultural economics, and control of external livestock parasites.
The center, which is the oldest research and Extension center in the state, was originally called the North Platte Substation and later renamed the North Platte Experiment Station in 1952 and the North Platte Station in 1966. It was given its current name, the West Central Research and Extension Center, in 1984.
The Centennial Field Day Sept. 17 will begin with registration and lunch at 11:30 a.m. CT at the center. The program is scheduled to begin at 12:15 p.m., followed by field demonstrations at 1 p.m. that will be repeated at 2 p.m. John Owens, IANR vice chancellor and vice president, will speak at 3 p.m., followed by Congressman Osborne at 3:30 p.m. To RSVP for lunch contact Linda Lehmann by phone at 308-532-3611, ext. 120, or by e-mail at llehmann1@unl.edu.
The celebration originally was scheduled June 11, but was postponed because of the national day of mourning for President Ronald Reagan.
The center is located 1.65 miles south of Interstate 80 on Highway 83 at North Platte.
Date: 8/26/04
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