Nebraska

Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Merlyn Carlson announced recently that NDA plans to host a statewide series of agriculture emergency information meetings for Nebraska producers. The meetings are intended to educate producers about local and state efforts as they relate to agricultural emergency planning. The meetings will focus on protecting the state's agricultural industry including livestock, dairy, grains and food products.

"In a state that is home to more than 48,000 farms and ranches, advanced planning and information is essential to protecting human and animal lives," said Director Carlson. "This effort is also key to ensuring that the agriculture industry, which contributes more than $10 billion to the state's economy, continues to be secure."

NDA, working with local extension educators, county emergency managers and the state's veterinarians, will host more than 70 meetings in locations across the state. The meetings will begin in April and run through the fall. Topics that will be addressed include: Threats to agriculture, simulated disease outbreak, indemnification and Nebraska premises, and animal identification systems.

For more information about these meetings, including dates and locations, visit www.agr.state.ne.us, or call 800-897-1163, ext. 24.

Date: 3/24/05