Haskell Ag Lab’s Family Field Day to feature animals, weather, beer, and blood

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The summer is passing quickly. It started off kind of slow and cool, but once it got going, there was no stopping it, and boy has it been toasty. 

The staff at the Haskell Ag Lab near Concord is now working to  prepare for the annual Haskell Ag Lab Family Field Day on Wednesday, Aug. 3.  

Some of the new events and activities scheduled for this year include:

•A visit from the area’s own Drs. Ben and Erin from Heartland Docs, DVM;

•The Nebraska State Climatologist sharing predictions of weather for the rest of the growing season; 

•An exhibit about growing and using your own hops, and 

•The first ever blood drive.

Anyone who isn't aware of the Heartland Docs, DVM TV show on Nat Geo Wild, is in for a treat. Drs. Ben and Erin have become nationally famous and, being from Hartington, they’re practically at home at the Haskell Ag Lab. Attendees will get to meet them and ask questions about the show and about life as a veterinarian in rural Nebraska.

Fortune telling might not be what Al Dutcher is known for, but for farmers, the weather tends to be pretty telling of what our fortune might be. While the old adage “wait 5 minutes, the weather in Nebraska will change” might be true, Al's forecast for Nebraska has been very accurate this summer – even when it deviates from other forecasters or isn’t what we want to hear. He will share what he expects the weather to do as we look forward to harvest season. 

Lots of us enjoy a good brew now and then, but have you ever made your own beer? Maybe you’ve considered it, but didn’t know where to start because you knew nothing about hops? Find the hops booth at the field day where Ryan with 6th Meridian Hops will be sharing his knowledge about growing hops, choosing varieties, and using them in the brewing process. 

Do you know anyone who has ever needed blood? I bet you do; I know I can think of several individuals. Get ready to roll up your sleeves for the Haskell Ag Lab’s first ever Blood Drive. This year, the LifeServe Bloodmobile will be on-site during the Field Day to collect blood donations. According to the Blood Center, “9 out of 10 people that live to the age of 70 will use blood during their lifetime”. 

Organizers of the Field Day decided that while they had people together for the Field Day, why not encourage a little community service by hosting a blood drive? So, stay hydrated and join several staff members to fill the bus with much needed blood.

Everyone who visits the registration desk at the Field Day will receive $10 in tickets  for use at the on-site food trucks. 

This event is free and open to everyone of all ages.  Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the farm site with booths and activities scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find out more at go.unl.edu/halfieldday2022