About the Center for Grassland Studies

(Last updated 6-6-05)

Organization

The Center for Grassland Studies was formed within the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) in 1994.

The Center staff consists of a director (Martin Massengale), coordinator (Pam Murray), and secretary (Jan Shamburg). Dr. Massengale is President Emeritus of the University of Nebraska and a Foundation Professor in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture.

Programmatic activity is carried out by 125+ Associates of the Center who are professional workers involved in research, extension, teaching or technical assistance working in areas related to the Center's mission.

The Center receives direction and guidance on policy matters from a Policy Advisory Committee. Current members are:

Ann Antlfinger, Department of Biology, UNO

Terry Klopfenstein, Department of Animal Science, UNL

Merlyn Carlson, Nebraska Department of Agriculture

Richard Clark, Department of Agricultural Economics, UNL

John Craig, Nebraska Department of Roads

Steve Chick, USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Jim Douglas, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Terry Gompert, Cooperative Extension, UNL

Kathleen Keeler, School of Biological Sciences, UNL

Lowell Moser, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL

Roch Gaussoin, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, UNL

Ken Vogel, USDA, Agricultural Research Service

Steven Waller, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, UNL

David Wedin, School of Natural Resource Sciences, UNL

Dayle Williamson, formerly with Nebraska Department of Natural Resources

In addition, a 50-member Citizens Advisory Council, which meets twice a year, provides input on user needs.

Mission

The Center's mission is to implement focused, interdisciplinary research, educational and service programs and activities that emphasize the role of grasslands as a natural resource and conservation measure and that enhance the efficiency, profitability, sustainability, and aesthetic value of grasslands, wetlands and turfs.

Objectives

Specific objectives of the Center are to:

increase public awareness of the role grasslands, wetlands and turfs play in improving the quality of life by:

- controlling soil erosion;

- improving water and soil quality;

- contributing to the livestock industry;

- improving wildlife populations;

- maintaining and augmenting biodivesity;

- enhancing sports and leisure activities.

foster teamwork and encourage systems approaches in research, educational and service activities.
attract support for programmatic activity through grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, donations and endowments.
initiate and expand relationships with federal and state agencies, other universities, state and community colleges, public and private organizations interested in grasslands, wetlands and turfs.
create a center that will be recognized for its excellence in grassland studies at the local, regional, national and international levels.

Sharing the Expertise

There is a history of excellence in grassland research and education at the University of Nebraska. The Center coordinates faculty and staff efforts in grasslands as they relate to:

improvement of forage, range and turfgrasses;
pasture, range and turf management;
ruminant livestock production systems;
production economics;
grassland, riparian and wetlands ecology;
wildlife management and conservation biology;
watershed management;
grassland insects and diseases;
basic research and educational programs in grasslands.

The Center draws upon the expertise of many individuals, units and organizations within and outside the University of Nebraska. Although largely centered within the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, faculty and staff in other units at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska at Omaha, the Nebraska State Colleges, and universities in other states are also involved.

Serving the Clients

The Center serves clients in both rural and urban environments. Those who have come to the Center for information and technical assistance include agricultural producers, researchers, educators and students (elementary through graduate school), extension agents and specialists, turfgrass and lawn managers, grass seed and sod producers, wildlife managers, conservation biologists, government personnel, homeowners, and journalists.

Programs

Programs stress the importance of grasslands to our economy, environment and quality of life. Types of activity include:

Education
The Center is the administrative unit for two interdisciplinary undergraduate majors: Grazing Livestock Systems, first offered in Fall 1999, and the PGA-accredited Professional Golf Management program, beginning Fall 2004. The multi-disciplinary CGS Fall Seminar Series is attended by students (for credit if they choose), faculty, and the general public. The Center administers the Sampson Fellowship in Nebraska Pasture and/or Range Management as well as the Leu Endowment, which helps support student scholarships and the Leu Distinguished Lectureship.

Research
The Center works with faculty from various academic units to form multidisciplinary teams for a systems approach to problem solving. The multi-state project on improving grazing systems for beef cattle is a good example, as it involves agronomists, animal scientists, and agricultural economists. Faculty receive assistance with identification of potential collaborators and funding sources, proposal development, and grant administration.

Extension
In addition to the CGS Fall Seminar Series, methods by which the Center accomplishes its outreach mission include a quarterly newsletter (in print and online), Web page, educational tours, a reference library from which print and video materials may be checked out, providing online access to the book Understanding Grass Growth, coordination and/or co-sponsorship of events such as the annual Nebraska Grazing Conference, and acting as a source of information and technical assistance. The Center has handled inquiries that have come via phone, letter and e-mail from nearly every state and about two dozen foreign countries.

Home