March 3 – 4, 2026
Nebraska Innovation Campus, Lincoln, Nebraska
Why This Conference?
The Department of Agronomy and Horticulture is hosting a showcase and strategy conference to highlight our collective achievements in teaching, research and extension. This event will:
- Demonstrate public value of our work for agriculture, the environment, and society.
- Showcase innovative and emerging programs aligned with Nebraska’s needs.
- Build connections across disciplines and strengthen partnerships with industry, agencies, commodity boards and community stakeholders.
- Engage graduate students and highlight their role in advancing innovation.
Together, we will celebrate accomplishments, share ideas and shape the future of agriculture and horticulture in Nebraska and beyond.
Benefits to the Community
- Networking opportunities with faculty, students, industry, agencies and stakeholders.
- Insights into cutting-edge research and extension programs addressing sustainability, soil health, water quality and crop productivity.
- Strategic collaboration opportunities to address current and future challenges.
- Direct engagement with advisory board members, policymakers and community leaders.
Tentative Schedule
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
1 – 4:30 pm Pre-session
| 1 – 1:30 pm | Where we’ve been, where we’re going (e.g. what will teaching look like in 5-10-20 years); strategic directions Goal: Identification of collaborative opportunities and future investment priorities. Strengthened relationships with stakeholders, industry and advisory partners. Outcome: Preparing students for the future, leveraging emerging technologies, expanding partnerships, demonstrating value of agriculture/natural resources, and effectively communicating our impact. Target Invites from Industry, key stakeholders to participate. |
| 1:30 – 3:30 pm | Breakout sessions
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| 4:30 – 6 pm | Evening reception and cocktails; student posters and interactive displays Goal: Foster partnerships with stakeholders. Outcome: Enhanced engagement of graduate students as contributors to the department’s mission. |
| Dinner on your own. |
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
| 7:30 – 8:30 am | Check-in, coffee and pastries |
| 8:30 – 8:45 am | Welcome: Tiffany Heng-Moss, Interim IANR Vice Chancellor, and Martha Mamo, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture Head |
| 8:45 am – 10 am | Interdisciplinary presentations – where we are and what we do Goal: Showcase the public value of our research, teaching, and extension efforts with clear impact metric, emerging programs aligned with state and national needs, and cross collaboration with other departments and key stakeholders. Outcome: Increased visibility and recognition of departmental programs and achievements. Achieve shared goals. Tentative topics:
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| 10 – 10:15 am | Break |
| 10:15 – 11:15 am | Stakeholder Panel Goal: Engage key stakeholders and external partners to enhance relevance, impact, and future support. Outcome: Strengthened relationships with stakeholders, industry, and advisory partners. Momentum for follow-up actions and strategic initiatives. Identification of collaborative opportunities and future investment priorities. Momentum for follow-up actions and strategic initiatives. |
| 11:30 am – 1 pm | Lunch and Keynote Speaker |
| 1 – 4 pm | Impacts and “Story Map” Highlights Goal: Illustrate how our work contributes to the greater good. Highlight innovative and high-impact programs. Showcase student scholarship and broaden participation. Outcome: Strengthened relationships with stakeholders, industry, and advisory partners. Enhanced engagement of graduate students as contributors to the department’s mission. |
| 1 – 2:30 pm | Department of Agronomy and Horticulture impacts, highlights and overview Presentation Areas:
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| 2:30 – 4 pm | Open House: Exhibit of posters, displays and demonstrations |
| 4 – 4:30 pm | Closing remarks |