Thank you to Homestead Congress Blog 2011 Contributors

The Friends of Homestead National Monument thank the readers of the Homestead Congress blog for their continued support. As of this writing there have been over 55,000 hits to our educational postings on the purpose of the Homestead Act and its many fascinating stories. Readers range from Beatrice, Nebraska, hometown of the Monument, to both the east and west coasts of the United States, as well as, every continent in the world. Without the talents, efforts, and contributions of our many volunteers and supporters the Homestead Congress blog would not be possible. Happy holidays and thank you to:

Merrith Baughman, Homestead National Monument of America

Beatrice Daily Sun

Blake Bell, Homestead National Monument of America

Jesse Bolli, Homestead National Monument of America

Brandon Clark, Southeast Community College

Jerry Davison, Friends of Homestead Volunteer

Denise Elmer, Friends of Homestead Volunteer

Gene Finke, Friends of Homestead Volunteer

Katie Graham, Southeast Community College

Parviz Jamalov, exchange student from Tajikistan, Southeast Community College

Samantha Johnson, Southeast Community College

Bernadette Korslund, Friends of Homestead Volunteer

Allison (La Duke) Alley, Homestead National Monument of America

Nancy Marie Hoppe, Friends of Homestead Volunteer

Mel Mann, 2010 Artist in Residence

Travis Maresh, Southeast Community College

Doris Martin, Homestead National Monument of America

Tina Miller, Homestead National Monument of America

Jamie Sumner, Southeast Community College

Judy Thompson, 2010 Artist in Residence

Diane Vicars, President Friends of Homestead

Brianna Weichel, Southeast Community College


Homestead Congress is a communication program for the Friends of Homestead National Monument of America. It is a 501(c)(3) educational, charitable organization recognized by the IRS to receive tax deductible gifts directed to the use of Homestead National Monument. The Homestead National Monument of America is the source of accurate information on the Homestead Act. Our authors’ contributions can be found at: http://homesteadcongress.blogspot.com/

 

Friends purchase supports Homestead

Through grants and the Opal Shum bequest, the Friends of Homestead National Monument of America purchased 140 acres of cropland located south of and contiguous with the monument. This created an opportunity to support landscape and habitat in the park, including the oldest restored tall grass prairie in the region.

By Jesse Bolli

Reprinted with permission

from HTLN Weather Vane

In spring of 2009, the Friends group enrolled the parcel into the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) program administered by the US Department of Agriculture. The Friends received a grant to hire Prairie Plains Resource Institute from Aurora, Nebraska to begin restoration of cropland into high diversity tall grass prairie.

Bill Whitney using an fertilizer spreader
to plant a high diversity seed mixture.

During the 2009 growing season, the area was dominated by mares tail (Conyza canadensis), an annual weed species. By 2010, some of 160 different species of local genotype seed planted in 2009 started to appear.

The land increases the park managed, 100-acre prairie by 140 acres. It also provides a landscape buffer for historic hedgerow trees listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, and it buffers rare lowland bur oak forest. The additional land will reduce agricultural runoff into Cub Creek. Planned walking trails will add recreational and educational opportunities for visitors.

An unconfirmed sighting of a greater prairie chicken (Tympanuchus cupido) on the monument may be the result of efforts to increase habitat. The park and Friends group are encouraged that this additional prairie restoration will likely benefit this once abundant, but now rare native bird.

Congressman Jeff Fortenberry introduced legislation (H.R. 112) to include this property within the boundary of Homestead National Monument of America. Once Congress approves monument expansion, the Friends of Homestead NM of America plan to donate the land to the NPS.