As Nebraska ranchers begin the road to recovery following historic wildfires this spring, one message came through clearly: the process won’t be quick, but it will move forward.
Released with this story and airing soon on radio, the latest Rural Radio Forum brings together producers, ag leaders and experts to discuss recovery and resilience after fires burned nearly 900,000 acres and displaced more than 35,000 head of cattle statewide.
That process for rebuilding is already underway for many ranchers.
Sheridan Wilson, whose family ranch was impacted by the Morrill fire, said the support from others has been overwhelming.
“People were showing up on our doorstep to help … it was just crazy the amount of people that showed up,” Wilson said.
But beyond the initial response, producers are now facing difficult decisions — where to take cattle, how to manage feed, and what the future holds.
“I think that’s the big question — is it ever going to rain again?” Wilson said. “We know it’s going to … but knowing and believing is different right now.”
For those who have been through fires before, the message is to stay patient and lean on others.
“Every day is going to get better,” said Tim Kalkowski of Kalkowski Ranches, reflecting on his own wildfire experience. “It is tough … but we will get through it. That’s what we do in the ag industry.”
Barb Cooksley, who experienced wildfire in recent years, said perspective matters in the early days after a disaster.
“We decided that we were going to focus on what we still have left, not just on what we lost,” she said.
Experts say communication and early outreach are key steps in recovery.
Producers are encouraged to contact local offices for the Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service to begin exploring available assistance programs and rebuilding plans.
“There’s not a one-size-fits-all,” said Laura Nelson of the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition. “That’s why bringing people together and learning from those who’ve been through it is so important.”
While the challenges are immediate, the conversation also focused on long-term resilience – both on the land and within rural communities.
“We’re in this together,” Kalkowski said. “It’s a ranching community … and I have full confidence in that.”
Watch the full Rural Radio Forum below
Radio Air Times
The forum will also air on Rural Radio Network stations:
- KNEB AM (Scottsbluff)– April 24 at 1 p.m. MST
- KUVR AM (Holdrege) – April 25 at 9 a.m.
- 104.9 Max Country / KOOL Radio (York) – April 25 at 9 a.m.
- KRVN AM (Lexington) – April 29 at 3 p.m.
This forum is presented in partnership with the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition and made possible by Nebraska banks supporting agriculture and the stewards of our land, including:
- First State Bank Nebraska
- NebraskaLand Bank
- Sandhills State Bank
- Flatwater Bank
Listen to the full Rural Radio Forum podcast below.
