Gov. Dave Heineman made his annual trek to Husker Harvest Days on Wednesday, Sept. 12, checking out what's new at the annual farm show west of Grand Island.
During the day, Heineman reviewed the Nebraska Farmer Hospitality Tent. Don McCabe, Nebraska Farmer editor described to the governor the more than 30 health service providers in the tent and the services each offers.
He also stopped at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln building, which this year has displays focusing on the state's beef industry.
Gov. Dave Heineman's Day at Husker Harvest Days
Heineman also took part in a Nebraska Farm Bureau press conference Wednesday, where the organization's president, Steve Nelson, announced Farm Bureau's endorsement of State Sen. Deb Fischer for U.S. Senator from Nebraska. Fischer is the Republican candidate and running against former governor and U.S. senator Bob Kerrey, a Democrat.
Nelson said Fischer, a Valentine rancher, is a good friend of agriculture and, as a state senator, supported reduced taxes and government spending and will do the same in the U.S. Senate. "In the Nebraska Legislature, she was effective in garnering funding for state roads and was involved heavily in water issues. She will fight hard for agriculture," Nelson said.
In front of a large crowd outside the Farm Bureau building, Heineman said Congress needs new leaders like Fischer. "We should have had leaders in Congress to get a farm bill passed. Deb Fischer will work to bring everyone together."
Fischer spoke of the devastating drought this summer Nebraska,"one of the worst in history. We are without grass. If the drought wasn't bad enough, we lost a lot of grass to wildfires. Livestock producers will need some sort of disaster relief."
Finally, Heineman visited the Commodity Building where he signed a proclamation making September Biofuels Month in Nebraska. The Commodity Building is sponsored by the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Soybean Association, Nebraska Wheat Growers Association and Nebraska Grain Sorghum Producers.