Nebraska agriculture is more than feed, fuel, and fiber—it’s a network bringing fresh, healthy food to your table. Whether you want to grow traditional crops, connect with local producers for school lunches, expand a farmers market in your community, or improve local food options, the Nebraska Regional Food Systems Initiative (NERFSI) team has programs to help. From planting to plate, fresh, healthy, affordable food helps Nebraskans thrive.
As a partner in the USDA’s Heartland Regional Food Business Center, NERFSI supports farmers and food producers in becoming key players in local and regional food markets, strengthening both communities and food security.
The Region's Hub
Heartland Regional Food Business Center
From startup through growth, the Heartland Regional Food Business Center helps food enterprises develop their local and regional businesses and markets.
Putting Pieces Together
AgVets/ Farmer Veteran Coalition
Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans (AgVets) offers workshops and demonstrations by three veteran-owned farms that share business and production skills.
Two for One
Double Up Food Bucks
Double Up Food Bucks matches fruit and vegetable purchases dollar for dollar, up to $20 a day, so you and your family get twice the fresh fruits and veggies.
Feed Our Most Precious Resource
Farm To School
The Farm to School program embraces a three-part system—classroom, cafeteria, and community—from educating children to serving local food on their lunch trays.
Promoting Local Business and Community Health
Healthy Food Access
Healthy Food Access is the means to consistently finding, affording, choosing, and using nutritious and safe food for increased nutrition security.
Find, Connect, and Build
MarketMaker
MarketMaker is the place to source local food, find customers for your food products, and connect Nebraska’s food chain, from farm to table.
Tradition Meets Innovation
Nation Nourishment Program
The Nation Nourishment Program is a hands-on, classroom-based, food-growing experience for Umonhon Nation community members seeking to learn to grow food.
Honoring the Past. Creating the Future.
Native American Coalition
The Native American Coalition builds bridges between tribal and non-tribal communities, facilitating community development and leadership in Native communities, and brings Native American traditional worldviews and cultures to greater Nebraska.
Ben Jewell
Extension Educator - Rural Prosperity Nebraska
Location:
Nebraska Extension in Cass County
620 1st Street
P.O. Box 160
Syracuse, NE 68446-0160
Phone: 402-269-2301
Email: bmcshane-jewell2@unl.edu
