Industry/Agriculture Tours

LEED Certified Morrison-Reeves Science Center at Hastings College
Hastings College marked the beginning of a new era in science with the dedication of the LEED Certified Morrison-Reeves Science Center in October of 2009. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an ecology-oriented building certification and a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings. Hastings College has a passion for preserving the Nebraska way of life through commitment to community, dedication to local partnership, and environmental stewardship. With its new environmentally friendly Morrison-Reeves Science Center, Hastings College is taking the next step toward a greener future; not just for its students, but for everyone. Hastings College, founded in 1882, is a private, four year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to more than 1,150 students.

Tours of Hastings College and the Morrison-Reeves Science Center are available upon request.

Prairie Loft Center for Outdoor & Agricultural Learning 
Prairie Loft's mission is to teach agriculture appreciation, outdoor education, cultural traditions, and the wise use of natural resources. They offer scheduled programs, workshops and presentations for all ages on these topics, catering specifically to those people who value the importance of, today's sustainable agricultural production, intelligent use of resources, learning from history & teaching for our future, and community connections and collaboration. The land where Prairie Loft sits was once part of a farm operation that was part of the state mental hospital, previously known as Ingleside and later as the Hastings Regional Center. At its peak, the farm housed cattle, horses, hogs, chickens, and ducks. Produce ranged from acres of cabbage to banana trees in the greenhouse. Folks in Hastings remember this as the best dairy operation in the state at one time.

The site offers a beautiful setting for a workshop, historical
presentation, bird watching adventure, marshmallow roast or barn dance.

Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat and Animal Research Center
Scientists at the Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) develop new technology in order to increase the efficiency of livestock production and benefit consumers. Presently, research programs are using a female breeding population of 6,500 cattle of 18 breeds, 4,000 sheep of 10 breeds, and 700 swine litters per year on 35,000 acres east of Hastings. The USMARC is administered by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) within the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA).

A tour of this facility will give attendees a greater understanding of what research is currently being done to ensure quality in agricultural production, assess the nutritional needs of Americans, and enhance our natural resource base and the environment.

Weeks Enterprises, Inc. - A Five Generation Family Farm
A five generation family farm based in Central Nebraska raising Popcorn, White Corn, Yellow Corn, Soybeans, Alfalfa, Prairie Hay and 3 kids.

Depending on the time of year tours and presentations on various aspects of farming are available upon request.

 

 

  • Places to eat

    Hastings’ restaurants offer delicious and fun-filled dining experiences.

  • Places to stay

    Hastings’ offers comfortable, friendly lodging for business travelers and families.

  • Things to do

    From festivals and outdoor activities to shopping and dining, there’s plenty to do.

  • View map

    Making a trip to Hastings? Our visitor info map makes it easy to get where you are going.

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