Grassland Gallery: Film & Art Inspired by the Range is a free, multidisciplinary event celebrating the agriculture, landscapes, and people of Nebraska’s grasslands. Rooted in rural stories and shaped by the land itself, the event brings together film screenings, visual art, and immersive place-based experiences to create space for connection, learning, and creative exchange.
Hosted in the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills, the inaugural 2026 event will take place on September 26, 2026, in Keith County, Nebraska, hosted at Haythorn Land & Cattle Co., located in the scenic Sandhills north of Ogallala. There will also be a mini event as part of the Nebraska Grazing Conference on August 4, 2026 at the Younes Conference Center South in Kearney with an art and film exhibit.
Event Overview
Nebraska’s grasslands hold generations of knowledge, labor, and storytelling. Grassland Gallery highlights these voices through thoughtfully curated documentary and narrative film screenings, visual art installations, guided ranch and vineyard tours, and community-centered programming. This free public event welcomes ranchers, farmers, artists, filmmakers, educators, students, environmental advocates, and anyone curious about Nebraska’s working landscapes.
Attendees can expect:
- Film screenings inspired by grassland ecosystems and rural life
- Visual art celebrating agriculture, land stewardship, and community
- Guided tours and immersive, place-based experiences
- Artist talks, educational sessions, and community discussions
- Opportunities for reflection, dialogue, and cross-sector collaboration
Featured Host Sites: Agriculture in ActionBuffalo County – August 4, 2026
The 2026 Nebraska Grazing Conference (NGC) is the 26th Annual Conference in the long history of serving Nebraska’s graziers, a history that began at the first conference in Kearney, Neb., on Aug. 13-14, 2001. Hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Grasslands Studies and organized by a diverse committee comprised of people involved in the state's grazing livestock industry, the Nebraska Grazing Conference is designed for people with an interest in the utilization and conservation of our grazing lands, and a desire to learn the most current information on grazing livestock systems and their impact on our lands. The 2026 Conference will be held on August 4th and 5th at the Younes Conference Center South in Kearney, NE. Grasslands Gallery will be showcased from 5-7 PM CT on August 4th during a celebration of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.
Keith County — September 26, 2026
Founded in 1884 and operated by the Haythorn family for six generations, Haythorn Land & Cattle Co. is one of Nebraska’s most historic and respected working ranches. The ranch raises commercial Black Angus cattle and foundation-bred American Quarter Horses on the native grass-stabilized dunes of the Sandhills. Recognized nationally for its horsemanship and stewardship, the Haythorn program reflects a deep commitment to land management, livestock quality, and ranching heritage.
Leadership & Vision
Grassland Gallery is developed and led by a dedicated three-member core leadership team:
- Brenna Litynski, Community Arts & Agriculture Advisor
- Brock Ortner, Assistant Extension Educator, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension
- Ryan Benjamin, Livestock Systems Extension Educator, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension
Their collaborative work is strengthened through partnerships with county coordinators and local community members, ensuring the event remains deeply rooted in the landscapes and communities it celebrates.
Why It Matters
Grassland Gallery bridges rural and urban perspectives by elevating place-based knowledge and lived experiences. By centering rural voices and creating space for interdisciplinary dialogue, the event expands how grassland narratives are shared and understood across Nebraska and beyond. Grassland Gallery is not just an exhibition—it is an invitation to experience the range through art, conversation, and shared place.
Applications & Registration
Grassland Gallery is currently seeking applications from:
- Visual and musical artists
- Rangeland filmmakers
- Agricultural host sites
- Food vendors
- Professional organizations and agricultural companies interested in hosting free educational booths
Applicants may apply for both events at https://www.grasslandgallery.com/artist-vendor-host-site-application
Applications for the September 26, 2026 Keith County tour must be submitted by August 15, 2026.
Registration for the events will be available online at: https://www.grasslandgallery.com/events-registration
Attendance and participation are completely free to the public.
