Fall Garden Prep with Conservation Nebraska & Project GROW
Join Conservation Nebraska and Upper Big Blue NRD for a hands-on morning of garden stewardship and soil health education! As we transition into the cooler months, we’ll be prepping the Project GROW garden for spring and planting cover crops to protect and enrich the soil over winter.
Valerie Paul is the Water Conservationist for the Upper Big Blue Natural Resource District. She works with local farmers, community groups, and schools to share practical ways to use water wisely and protect our groundwater. Valerie also helps producers one-on-one to support healthy water quality and supplies for the future. She earned her degree in Conservation and Wildlife Management from Missouri Western State University.
Project GROW (Growing Rotational crops On Well fields) is a collaborative initiative between the City of York and the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District. Located on 160 acres of the city’s wellfield, this innovative project uses no-till practices, diverse cover crops, and crop rotations to improve soil health, reduce erosion, and safeguard the city’s drinking water. The garden space includes plots, a berry orchard, and pollinator habitats—making it a hub for both environmental impact and community connection.
Project GROW also allows community members to reserve and utilize select garden spaces to grow your own produce!
🌾 Why Cover Crops? Cover cropping is a powerful off-season strategy that:
● Prevents soil erosion and compaction
● Enhances water retention and infiltration
● Suppresses weeds naturally
● Captures residual nutrients like nitrogen, reducing runoff and contamination
● Builds organic matter and microbial activity for healthier spring planting
Whether you're a seasoned gardener, just curious about sustainable agriculture, or want to give back to your community - this event is a great opportunity to learn, connect, and contribute!
If you have any of the following garden tools, please feel free to bring them to ensure we have enough for everyone: hoe, clippers, spades.
If you are planning on attending, please register using this link: https://secure.everyaction.com/C1fFOiRLp0iiMK37VztxSQ2
🌻 Let’s grow something great together.
