Farming in Nebraska

Farming in Nebraska. . , Most of Nebraska was once virgin grasslands. The first settlers often lived in crude sod huts, known as "soddies," and many worked for years transforming the prairie into producing cropland. Water was often scarce, especially in the drier climate of central and western Nebraska and the windmill came into common use to pump underground water for livestock and farm use. , Today Nebraska lies at the heart of one of the most productive farming regions in the world. The state produces 10 percent of the corn crop. The most modern agricultural equipment and methods yield excellent crops of corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, milo and other crops that help feed the nation. , The story of farming and its history can be observed more closely at several places along your way west: , . Pioneer Village at Minden, features one of the most extensive collections of old-time farming equipment found anywhere. , . The Plainsman Museum, at Aurora, has many farming artifacts and machines from the area. , . Stuhr Museum, at Grand Island, boasts a reconstructed prairie farming town. , . Windmill State Wayside Area, at the Gibbon exit, preserves a collection of early-day windmills. , . If you're traveling mid to late summer, visit a county fair. You can observe exhibits of livestock, crops, and farm equipment. , [photo and image captions] , . Center-pivot irrigation systems water a half-mile circle in one sweep. , . Corn and soybeans are two major Nebraska crops. , . Contour farming reduces erosion. , . Today’s farmer applies modern technology to help feed the world. , . Steam thresher, 1910 , . Corn cultivation, ca. 1900 , . Cutting and stacking alfalfa near Kearney, 1907. , . Years ago, steam-powered tractors turned the sod.