New shepherd in Nebraska pelleting wool for unusual fertilizer

Midwest Messenger

April 2024

Baa, baa black sheep have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full. One for the master, one for the dame and one for increasing soil health…

Local CSA Farmer Prepares for Growing Season

Beatrice Daily Sun

March 2024

Katie Jantzen of West End Farm is getting ready for another season using the community supported agriculture model. Jantzen is the...

Fall Farmers Market Held

Beatrice Daily Sun

November 2023

Visitors at the Fall Farmers Market at Vintage Venue on Saturday morning shopped from local vendors and might have sampled some of the produce in the brunch buffet. Katie Jantzen of West End Farms helped organize the...

Fall Farmers Market to be held on Saturday

Beatrice Daily Sun

November 2023

A Fall Farmers Market will be held at Vintage Venue on Saturday, Nov. 25 for the second year. West End Farm Katie Jantzen has been a…

CONSERVATION PRACTICES HELP NEBRASKA FARMER MAKE A BIGGER DIFFERENCE

Center for Rural Affairs

October 2023

When Katie Jantzen left her home state of Nebraska to attend college in Virginia, she had no idea she’d return several years later to start her own farming operation on...

Farmers Market in Peak of Season

Beatrice Daily Sun

August 2023

The Farmers Market has a variety of mid-summer produce available at the weekly event. Main Street Beatrice Director Michael Sothan said they are in the middle of the mid-summer peak season. “We are in the middle of…

Farmers Market season in full swing

News Channel Nebraska

June 2023

It's the time of year all who enjoy fresh food look forward to...farmers market season. The Main Street Farmers Market in Beatrice held their fourth market of their five-month season…

Farmers Market season begins Thursday

Beatrice Daily Sun

May 2023

If you’ve been craving some fresh produce, you’ll be happy to hear the Beatrice Farmers Market opens this week on Thursday, May 18. It will be held every Thursday from 4-6:30 p.m. Thursday until...

Area farmers celebrate CSA week

Beatrice Daily Sun

February 2023

West End Farm near Plymouth is joining other CSA farms across the country to celebrate CSA Week, a national event taking place from February 20-26…

Fall Farmers Market include all the sights and smells of the holidays

Beatrice Daily Sun

November 2022

Shoppers were greeted with all the sights and smells of the holiday season at the Fall Farmers Market was held at Vintage Venue on Saturday morning. Michael Sothan, Executive Director of Main Street Beatrice, said it was very exciting to see the event happening on Small Business Saturday…

Fall Farmers Market will be held at Vintage Venue on Saturday

Beatrice Daily Sun

November 2022

Vintage Venue will host a Fall Farmers Market and Breakfast Buffet on Saturday morning. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to noon with vendors being available from 9 a.m to noon. Katie Jantzen, owner of West End Farms, said she was…

Land Transition Case Study

Center For Rural Affairs

November 2022

Land transition comes in many forms and involves many decisions among the parties involved. This case study focuses on a familial transition of land from generation to generation.

Farmers Market Season winding down

Beatrice Daily Sun

October 2022

The farmers market in Beatrice will end the season with a final vendor event next Thursday afternoon. Michael Sothan, Director of Main Street Beatrice, said it’s been a good year. “The second year in this location has exposed us to a few new...

Alternative Hive Case Study

Center for Rural Affairs

September 2022

The standard hive in Nebraska is a traditional Langstroth. The Center for Rural Affairs conducted a research project with outside beekeepers, designed to compare and highlight four alternative hive structures: Nuc, Shallow, Top Bar, and Long Langstroth. Each beekeeper was required to keep an alternative hive, as well as two traditional Langstroth hives to use as controls. This is real-life feedback over the course of three years from two seasoned beekeepers.

Find West End Farm’s results as “Beekeeper B” in both studies.

Beatrice Farmers Market continues as community-centered tradition

Beatrice Daily Sun

August 2022

Dozens of locals stepped from under one colorful canopy to the next, dodging the Thursday afternoon sun in the humid shade...

Almost 34 and still learning about vegetables

Beatrice Daily Sun

July 2022

This is the summer I turn 34. If you would’ve told me when I was studying dietetics in college that I’d still be learning about vegetables in my mid-30s, I would’ve said: “Get it together, Tara.” But if Extension work has taught me one thing, it’s that the learning never ends–and that’s the fun...

Local farmers market rolling along, this season

Beatrice Daily Sun

June 2022

Main Street Beatrice hosted their fourth Thursday Farmer’s Market of the season yesterday…at the Centenary United Methodist Church parking lot. Executive Director Michael Sothan says just over a dozen vendors have been coming to the…

2022 Nebraska Food Guide

Buy Fresh Buy Local

May 2022

In 2021 I had the privilege of traveling to a few of the 90+ farmers’ markets in the state. I went to meet vendors and market organizers, take photos, and to ask people a simple but important question: What do you love about your farmers’ market?

Beatrice Public Library

Facebook

May 2022

Tom Person, Anna Pohlmann, and Katie Jantzen presented ‘A short introduction to the honeybee’ Tuesday night at the library.

Ways to Keep Veggies Fun for Kids

Beatrice Daily Sun

February 2022

It’s National CSA Week—the most popular time of year for fans of local food to sign up for a CSA. If these three letters are unfamiliar to you...

Celebrate CSA Week

Beatrice Daily Sun

February 2022

West End Farm near Plymouth is excited to join other CSA farms across the country to celebrate CSA Week…Farmer Katie Jantzen said, “Especially in light of the ongoing pandemic, being part of a CSA allows people to feel confident about where their food is coming from, and feel good about supporting a local farm…

From the garden to the table

Beatrice Daily Sun

November 2021

The University of Nebraska Extension in Gage County partnered with local businesses, non-profits and other community members to provide the Beatrice Garden Produce Rescue program during the 2021 growing season. More than 4,000 pounds of produce was kept out of the landfill as a result…

Nebraska Gift Guide: Holiday 2021

Buy Fresh Buy Local

November 2021

As we settle into the season of long nights and crisp weather, warm your hearts with gifts and food straight from Nebraska farmers.

Farmers Market Wraps Up Season

Beatrice Daily Sun

October 2021

The final Farmers Market of the season was held Thursday evening in Beatrice with 13 vendors providing locally grown beef, fresh fruit and vegetables, breads, plants and crafts.

Liz Poessnecker

Facebook

October 2021

Fresh produce without the work, fresh produce fresh from the farm- can't beat that. In addition, Farmer Katie is present to answer any questions and to just engage in a bit of pleasant conversation. Who could ask for more? As the…

Main Street Beatrice Farmer's Market finishes season

News Channel Nebraska

October 2021

Thursday night was the final Main Street Beatrice Farmer’s Market, for the season. "When we get to about the frost date...once we hit this middle part of October...the weather can be great or it can be horrible...and it's just…”

Nebraska farms to participate in Dig Deeper Farm Tour

Lincoln Journal Star

September 2021

Days start at 5 a.m. for Sheng Vang, co-owner of Lu’s Flowers and Vegetables, and often go into the late night or early morning. Vang works in the farm’s fields…

Feeding a community

Beatrice Daily Sun

July 2021

The University of Nebraska Extension in Gage County is partnering with local businesses, non-profits and other neighbors to keep garden produce from being wasted during this growing season. The Growing Together Nebraska…

2021 Beatrice garden produce rescue

facebook

July 2021

KNOW YOUR GROWER Appreciation Post! Meet Katie Jantzen: "I'm Farmer Katie from West End Farm near Plymouth. I grow 47 different veggies and have 8 honeybee hives for...

Farm tour with women in local food and farming

center for rural affairs

June 2021

In May 2021, Center for Rural Affairs staff members Erin Schoenberg and Kirstin Bailey filmed an alternative farm tour ("alternative" due to pandemic precautions) to share with an online audience at a later date. Thank you for going along the tour with us in this half hour video.

CASE STUDY: WOMEN IN LOCAL FOOD AND FARMING

Center for rural affairs

June 2021

In May 2021, Center for Rural Affairs staff members Erin Schoenberg and Kirstin Bailey filmed an "alternative" farm tour to share with an online audience. The farm tour features the southeast Nebraska-based group…

LEARN ABOUT WOMEN IN LOCAL FOOD AND FARMING THROUGH VIRTUAL FARM TOUR

Center for rural affairs

June 2021

Eighteen months into the pandemic many group gatherings, including farm tours, continue to be postponed or altered. So instead of having an audience come to the farm, we’ve brought the farm to you, including filmed conversations with…

Open for Business with Katie Jantzen, West End Farm

Women In Agriculture, UNL

June 2021

Katie Jantzen founded West End Farm in 2017 on part of her family's farm near Plymouth, NE. She raises 47 different types of vegetables, berries, melons, and herbs, and also sells honey, jam, and baked goods. West End Farm is currently…

Main Street Beatrice Farmer's Market settling into new location

News Channel Nebraska

June 2021

Thursday was week number three for the Main Street Beatrice Farmer’s Market, using a new location this year…..the parking lot of Centenary United Methodist Church along U.S. Highway 77.
"The new location is working out really well for us. We were really happy that Centenary United Methodist Church was willing to let us be here. I think it has…

Plymouth’s West End Farm to be featured on Women in Ag Webcast

KRVN Rural radio; midwest messenger; Beatrice daily sun; morning ag clips

May 2021

“Open for Business: A Nebraska Women in Agripreneurship Series” will feature Katie Jantzen, founder of West End Farm, during its next live webcast on June 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Produced by Nebraska Women in Agriculture, the monthly webcast series highlights the entrepreneurial spirit of women in agribusiness from across the state, offering creative insights and the stories behind what it takes to build a business…

Liz Poessnecker

Facebook

May 2020

The best part of a summer Mondays is the fresh food picked up at the farm where it was grown and the good conversations with Farmer Katie and…

2021 Beatrice Mini Food Guide

Buy Fresh Buy Local

April 2021

So many local food treasures can be found in the rolling hills of Beatrice and southeast Nebraska -- from the lively Thursday farmers’ market to farm fresh eggs and the perfect September watermelon. Get in touch with the farmers…

2021 Nebraska Food Guide

buy fresh buy local

April 2021

Since the beginning of the pandemic, small and medium scale Nebraska farmers have gone above and beyond to increase production, change delivery methods, and meet the shifting needs of their communities…

7 ways to keep veggies fun for kids

Beatrice Daily Sun

February 2021

It’s National CSA Week—the most popular time of year for fans of local food to sign up for a CSA.

If these three letters are unfamiliar to you: CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture and is one more way you can support local farmers. Here’s how it usually works. You...

CSA week planned

beatrice daily sun

February 2021

West End Farm is excited to join other CSA farmers across the country to celebrate CSA Week, a national event taking place from Feb. 21-28 to promote CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). CSA is a farm membership system that allows consumers to sign up to receive a season’s worth of a farm’s products every week. Along with...

ORGANIZING FOR FOOD POLICY: NEBRASKA FOOD COUNCIL’S 2021 PRIORITIES

Center for rural affairs

January 2021

Since its founding by the Center for Rural Affairs in 2017, the Nebraska Food Council has worked toward its mission to strengthen Nebraska’s...

Nebraska Gift Guide

Buy Fresh Buy Local

November 2020

Find heartfelt Nebraska-grown gifts for your loved ones by…

Beatrice Farmers Market ends another season

Beatrice Daily Sun

October 2020

The Country Cookin’ Café parking lot was full of fall-colored vegetables, breads, jams and excited vendors and patrons on Thursday, as the…

Liz Poessnecker

Facebook

September 2020

Monday is my favorite day of the week as I go to a local farm to pick up my CSA box of garden produce. "Farmer Katie" does…

No beating around the bush

Midwest Messenger; lincoln journal star

August 2020

There’s a promising up-and-comer in Nebraska agriculture. Tripling its total industry revenue in just…

embrace local food in old and new ways

Beatrice Daily Sun

June 2020

Twenty-two years ago, every kid wanted a Furby, Titanic swept the Oscars and Britney Spears topped the charts with “...Baby One More Time.” If this feels like a lifetime ago, consider 1998 was also the year Main Street Beatrice introduced us to the Beatrice Farmers’ Market.

2020 Nebraska Food Guide

buy fresh buy local

May 2020

What is your connection to agriculture? Did you grandparents or great grandparents have a farm? Separate cream from milk…

beatrice mini food guide

BUY FRESH BUY LOCAL

May 2020

The Beatrice area is home to so many local food treasures – from the Thursday night farmers’ market, to fresh picked strawberries to the sweet crunch of a home-grown carrot. Get in touch with the farmers and ranchers listed below to discover good fresh food in Beatrice! Find your farmer. Find good food!

Growing a garden to a business

beatrice daily sun

April 2020

Katie Jantzen started helping with the family garden when she was a child, but West End Farm near Plymouth, has grown into a business.

Meet Katie Jantzen of West End Farm!

Buy Fresh Buy Local

April 2020

Katie Jantzen of West End Farm in Plymouth, Nebraska is working hard, and showing off her incredible growing and making skills to bring…

We’re Compiling a List of CSA’s in All 50 States

Modern Farmer

March 2020

If you’re worried about having access to fresh food in the months ahead, become a member of a Community Supported Agriculture program! To help you find one near you, we’re compiling a list of farms that offer CSA’s…

NEBRASKA FOOD COUNCIL ENDORSES FARM TO SCHOOL AND KIDS EAT LOCAL ACTS

center for rural affairs

December 2019

Currently, Nebraskans spend $4.4 billion on food, 90 percent of which is sourced from outside the state. The Nebraska Food Council and the Center for Rural Affairs advocate for the reauthorization of the...

Katie Jantzen is living proof of a successful family farmer

Midwest Messenger

October 2019

America’s agricultural history spans generations. Some of the family farms still in operation today have been feeding our neighbors for more than 100 years..,

NEW COTTAGE FOOD LAW SUPPORTS NEBRASKA’S ENTREPRENEURS

Center for rural affairs

July 2019

In 2015, a working group gathered to talk about the challenges Nebraska food consumers and producers alike face, and how to best address them. In 2019, Nebraska Legislative Bill (LB) 304 was passed, expanding the state’s food laws to...

FORMATION OF NEBRASKA FOOD COUNCIL LEADS TO STATEWIDE FOOD ASSESSMENT

Center for rural affairs

June 2018

In Nebraska, residents spend nearly $5 billion annually on food. Approximately 90 percent of that money leaves the state, according to a 2015 Center for Rural Affairs report. The study prompted Center staff to take a deeper look into...

Katie Jantzen graduates from NFU's Beginning Farmers Institute

high plains journal

March 2017

Beginning farmer, Katie Jantzen of Plymouth, graduated from the sixth class of the Beginning Farmer Institute of the National Farmers Union. On March 4, 17 beginning farmers from across the country received certificates at the awards banquet of the…

NFU Announces Largest Participant Class for 2016-17 Beginning Farmers Institute

national farmers union

June 2016

National Farmers Union (NFU) Beginning Farmers Institute (BFI) was created to empower the success of America’s next generation of farmers, and the NFU Foundation is pleased to announce the largest participant class in the program’s six-year history. Seventeen beginning farmers and ranchers from across the country