North Platte is beefing up its economy as this railroad town will also be a hub for beef production and some see opportunities for young people.
As a kid put his hand in a cow’s stomach, he was thinking about what it’ll put in his.
“Hamburger,” he said.
Nebraska Extension specialists point out cattle eat what people can’t.
“Can a cow eat grass?” asked Randy Saner, Extension Educator.
Turning Nebraska rangeland into protein is big business in Lincoln County, one of the nation’s top cow-calf producers and the impact will grow when a packing plant opens.
“The butcher shop, meat processor,” said Rate Peterson, age 11.
“Think of the jobs it can produce in the state of Nebraska,” Saner said. “We're adding value not just a commodity but adding value.”
It’s estimated the Sustainable Beef plant will bring a billion dollars to North Platte and create new jobs.
“People think packing plant, they think of harvesting but you have to have accountants, managers, salesmen for product,” Saner said.
This Nebraska Extension event called “Animals Inside and Out” exposes kids to careers. Extension Educator Caitlyn Jacobson, a former elementary teacher, said it’s the perfect age for kids to start drawing connections.
“They start wanting to explore their future and it's a great time for them to learn more about agriculture,” she said.
Source: nebraska.tv
Photo Credit: gettyimages-jacqueline-nix
Categories: Nebraska, Business