Rogers Memorial Farm

History

The United States government gave the farm to the State of Nebraska in 1864 as a site to build a penitentiary or prison. Since the land was never used for that purpose, the farm was sold to a private individual in 1871 for $3,155.84. Subsequently Edgar A. Rogers and his wife, Cora E. Rogers, came into ownership of the farm.

sign at Rogers Memorial Farm


The property was bequeathed to the University of Nebraska as a memorial to the Rogers' son, Edward Alfred Rogers, a UN graduate, who died in service during World War II. The Board of Regents accepted the gift in 1947.

The management of the farm was originally assigned to the Department of Animal Science for the purpose of carrying out cattle breeding experiments, which were run from 1947 to 1966. When a larger tract of land became available for the cattle program, the operation of the farm was transferred to the Department of Agricultural Engineering (renamed the Department of Biological Systems Engineering in 1990).

In 1985, the University's Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Board of Regents entered into an agreement with the U.S. Soil Conservation Service (now known as the National Resources Conservation Service) which designated the Rogers Memorial Farm as the "Conservation Demonstration Farm." A dedication program was held on the premises on April 23, 1985, with Governor Robert Kerry and Vice Chancellor Roy Arnold cutting the ribbon.

Today, the Rogers Memorial Farm stands not only as a living memorial, but also as a center for soil and water conservation research and educational programs.
Farm terrace construction
Early photo of the newly constructed terraces (in the mid 1960's) located on the southwest corner of the farm.
farm terraces
Aerial view from the north looking south in the 1960's. Constuction of terraces was well underway.
soil rill
This is an example a type of soil erosion called a rill that exists when there is nothing to slow the runoff of heavy rainfall. Research with contour farming, terraces, and no-till practices help to minimize such damage.
 

Biological Systems Engineering
university of Nebraska-Lincoln