UNL College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

09/10/2026

The University of Nebraska system is strong, Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, president of the NU System, said Sept. 3, but continued investment will be critical to building on that strength and serving Nebraskans for generations to come.

Gold made the remarks during his second annual State of the University Address, held in the rotunda of the Nebraska State Capitol, where he highlighted accomplishments across the university system over the past year.

“The vitality of our university depends on the vitality of the state, just as the vitality of our state depends on the vitality of its university,” Gold said. “At a time of economic and geopolitical uncertainty, investing in the University of Nebraska system is not just an investment in higher education — it is an investment in Nebraska's future, Nebraska’s workforce, economy, communities and an investment in generations to come.”

https://news.unl.edu/article/gold-highlights-momentum-during-state-of-the-university-address

09/09/2026

Register now! INTF 391 - North American Integration Under Fire: A NAFTA/USMCA Case Study is happening October 1 -12th and will be taught by Kellie Meiman Hock. This course is great for students pursing a minor in International Trade and anyone interested in how international trade impacts agriculture.

What You’ll Learn:

Why trade deals happen — and what countries are really chasing when they sign one
How to read the room — deconstruct what's driving each country's negotiating position
How to move policy — build the strategy, tactics, and messaging that shape real outcomes
How the game actually works — the rules-based trading system, and the gap between how it's supposed to work and how it plays out in practice

Find out more! ➡️ https://yeutter-institute.unl.edu/students/courses/

09/09/2026

Plants, ponds and kayaks are a few of the tools that sophomore Sophia Donner uses in her Undergraduate Student Research Fellowship from the Nebraska Water Center this summer. Donner and a fellow BSE undergraduate student roam several Lincoln-area ponds each month to measure the effectiveness of floating plant platforms designed to mitigate algae growth in the waters.

“Most of the time, when people think of engineering projects or anything related to engineering, they think you're just constructing something new, right off the bat,” says Sophia Donner. “You're designing, you're reconstructing, you're making a whole new world. But a lot of engineering problems are dealing with what you have, like, right now, and keep working with it.”

“This research fellowship is a unique hands-on opportunity for underclassmen,” says Aaron Mittelstet, Associate professor with Biological Systems Engineering and Sophia’s mentor on this project. “Part of the mission is to train future water researchers to address water problems. The fact that Sophia just completed her freshman year and is working in hands-on research that has a great community benefit is a great learning and work experience.”

https://ianrnews.unl.edu/article/donners-field-work-promotes-water-health

09/08/2026

Ready to grow your network, leadership skills, and future in agriculture? Agriculture Future of America is the place for you!

The AFA Leaders Conference brings together college students from across the country for an experience filled with professional development, networking, and connections with leaders in the agricultural industry.

If you’re interested in being a part of this professional experience, fill out your application by September 10th at agfuture.org!

Don’t miss your chance to take your next step with AFA.
Questions? Reach out to Libby Macklin at [email protected] or Meg Kester at [email protected].

09/08/2026

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Counseling and Psychological Services team has earned full accreditation from the International Association of Counseling Services, recognizing the center’s commitment to high standards of clinical care and its ongoing efforts to expand access to mental health support for students.

The accreditation follows more than a year of preparation, documentation, peer review and an on-site evaluation.

“Mental health care is so personal that we want to make sure we’re offering resources and support that are tailored to our students’ needs,” said Tricia Besett-Alesch, director of CAPS. “No matter what that looks like, we’ll always do our best to meet students where they’re at. I’m honored that IACS sees those efforts.”

https://news.unl.edu/article/caps-earns-international-accreditation-for-student-mental-health-care

09/07/2026

Laurence Ballard, nursery supervisor for Landscape Services, cares for plants from seeds to flourishing on the grounds. In his job, he indulges in his passion for nature while also mentoring the next generation of horticulture professionals. Ballard hopes his careful tending to young plants helps them grow into the most beautiful adornments for the campus.

“As long as you did your job and gave them the best start in life you could possibly give them, that’s going to help them to make the transition to wherever they’re going next,” Ballard said.

Ballard’s journey to the plant world began in Australia, where he had moved after separating from the U.S. Navy. He needed to find a new line of work after leaving the military and started studying horticulture. To be closer to his aging parents, Ballard and his wife, Jo, moved their family to Lincoln, where his father was an English professor at UNL. He took a job as a temporary groundskeeper in 1997, and this grew into a permanent position. He’s been in his current position since 1998 and ultimately got his bachelor’s degree from the university.

https://news.unl.edu/article/ballards-handiwork-dots-campus-scenery

09/04/2026

Diane Nolan, information technology associate in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, is retiring after 20 years with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

“I’m most proud of helping so many people in our agronomy and horticulture community and finding answers for students, faculty and staff, even when I didn’t know the answer myself,” Nolan said. “I just enjoyed helping others with anything to do with computers, except the hardware."

https://news.unl.edu/article/nolan-retires-after-20-year-career-supporting-classroom-technology

09/03/2026

Plants, ponds and kayaks are a few of the tools that sophomore Sophia Donner uses in her Undergraduate Student Research Fellowship from the Nebraska Water Center this summer. Donner and a fellow BSE undergraduate student roam several Lincoln-area ponds each month to measure the effectiveness of floating plant platforms designed to mitigate algae growth in the waters.

“Most of the time, when people think of engineering projects or anything related to engineering, they think you're just constructing something new, right off the bat,” says Sophia Donner. “You're designing, you're reconstructing, you're making a whole new world. But a lot of engineering problems are dealing with what you have, like, right now, and keep working with it.”

https://ianrnews.unl.edu/article/donners-field-work-promotes-water-health

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

As a generation of seed industry professionals nears retirement, the industry faces a growing need for agronomists with specialized training in seed science.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Agronomy and Horticulture is working to address that need through the Seed Industry Scholars program, which combines specialized coursework with experiential learning opportunities.

“If you’re an agronomy student — or a high schooler interested in studying agronomy — I can’t recommend this program enough,” Nick Daberkow said. “It’s letting me discover which areas of agriculture interest me the most.”

https://news.unl.edu/article/seed-industry-scholars-connects-huskers-with-career-options