June 25, 2026 - June 27, 2026
Registration is open! The Nebraska Chapter's 2026 Annual Meeting heads to Ord and Valley County for three days of tours, presentations, awards, and good company. Darwin Hinrichs has assembled a fantastic program that showcases the conservation and agricultural work of this part of the state.
Thursday, June 25
12:00 – 1:00 pm Registration & Silent Auction Drop-Off — Valley County Extension Office, Ord
1:00 pm Welcome, Introductions & Directions
1:15 pm Lower Loup NRD Update — Russ Callan, NRD Manager — an overview of the district's current work and priorities
2:00 pm Tour: Zangger Popcorn Hybrids — A look at a specialty crop operation located ~7 miles southeast of Ord along the highway
4:30 – 5:00 pm Finish Check-In & Silent Auction Browse — Valley County Extension Office Evening Dinner on your own — Ord has several local dining options
Friday, June 26
8:00 – 10:30 am Field Research Tour: Nitrogen Movement Under Crops — Tylr Naprstek, Assistant NRD Manager — meet at NRD Office and follow to the field
11:00 am Tour: Fish Hatchery, Calamus Reservoir — A guided look at the hatchery below the reservoir
11:30 am Scenic Drive Over Calamus Dam & Return to Ord Noon Sack Lunch — Included in registration
1:00 – 2:00 pm Presentations: Prescribed Burns & CRP Applications — Grant Gydesen, NRCS State Prescribed Burn Specialist, and Molly Lakin, NRCS Resource Conservationist — Valley County Extension Office
2:15 pm Field Demonstration: Burn & Conservation Practice Examples — Follow Grant and Molly to the field for live examples Late afternoon Return to Ord & Help Set Up for Evening — Valley County Extension Office
6:00 pm Social Hour — Valley County Extension Office, 801 S St, Ord
6:30 pm Banquet, Awards & Silent Auction Close — Valley County Extension Office, 801 S St, Ord, NE 68862 — dinner and recognition of chapter award recipients
Saturday, June 27
7:30 am Foundation & Chapter Business Meeting — NRD Office, Ord
Don't Forget the Silent Auction!
The silent auction is one of the best parts of the annual meeting, and every dollar raised goes directly toward scholarships and the conservation work of the Nebraska Soil & Water Conservation Society and its foundations. Past donations have included crafts, wine baskets, books, pictures, gift certificates, and plants — and we always welcome more of the same and anything new that tells the story of where you're from and what you care about.
To donate an item or for any questions about the silent auction, contact Darwin Hinrichs at 308-340-5226 or hinrichsdm@hotmail.com.