Sharing the Expertise

A history of excellence in grassland research and education continues at the University of Nebraska.
 

The Center coordinates faculty and staff efforts in grasslands as they relate to:

- improvement of forage, range and turfgrasses;
- pasture, range and turf management;
- ruminant livestock production systems;
- production economics;
- grassland, riparian and wetlands ecology;
- wildlife management and conservation biology;
- watershed management;
- grassland insects and diseases;
- basic research and educational programs in grasslands.

The Center draws upon the expertise of many individuals, units and organizations within and outside the University of Nebraska. Although largely centered within the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, faculty and staff in other units at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska at Omaha, the Nebraska State Colleges, and universities in other states are also involved.

Serving the Clients

The Center serves clients in both rural and urban environments. Those who have come to the Center for information and technical assistance include agricultural producers, researchers, educators and students (elementary through graduate school), extension agents and specialists, turfgrass and lawn managers, grass seed and sod producers, wildlife managers, conservation biologists, government personnel, homeowners, and journalists.

Programs

Programs stress the importance of grasslands to our economy, environment and quality of life. Types of activity include:

Education: The Center is the administrative unit for two interdisciplinary undergraduate majors: Grazing Livestock Systems, first offered in Fall 1999, and the PGA-accredited PGA Golf Management program, beginning Fall 2004. The multi-disciplinary CGS Fall Seminar Series is attended by students (for credit if they choose), faculty, and the general public. The Center administers the Sampson Fellowship in Nebraska Pasture and/or Range Management as well as the Leu Endowment, which helps support student scholarships and the Leu Distinguished Lectureship.

Research: The Center works with faculty from various academic units to form multi-disciplinary teams for a systems approach to problem solving. The multi-state project on improving grazing systems for beef cattle is a good example, as it involves agronomists, animal scientists, and agricultural economists. Faculty receive assistance with identification of potential collaborators and funding sources, proposal development, and grant administration.

Extension: In addition to the CGS Fall Seminar Series, methods by which the Center accomplishes its outreach mission include a newsletter (in print and online), Web page, educational tours, a reference library from which print and video materials may be checked out, coordination and/or co-sponsorship of events such as the annual Nebraska Grazing Conference, and acting as a source of information and technical assistance. The Center has handled inquiries that have come via phone, letter and e-mail from nearly every state and about two dozen foreign countries.