The Nebraska Dry Bean Commission (NDBC) is the latest partner sponsor of the American Doorstop Project, a project that collects stories that were instrumental in shaping America’s agricultural roots.  The Commission hopes to put a spotlight on the importance of Nebraska’s dry bean industry.

Nebraska’s dry bean producers consistently rank #1 and #2 in the United States for Great Northern and Pinto beans production, respectively. For nearly a century, the state’s North Platte Valley and High Plains Panhandle dry bean producers have planted, harvested and marketed some of the highest-quality dry edible beans in the world, says Courtney Schuler, chairwoman of the NDBC. The commission’s role is to advance Nebraska’s dry bean industry through research, promotion and education.

“A new focus for NDBC is to increase our promotional activities, so partnering with the American Doorstop Project on a book about Nebraska’s Agriculture History is great way to promote our industry and demonstrate how important Nebraska’s agriculture is to our state’s economy,” Schuler says. “Every generation, fewer individuals are directly related to agriculture, and it’s critical for us to continue to tell our story.”

“A History of Nebraska Agriculture: 150 Years of Working the Land,” is the working title for the book.  It will be part of a series of books expected next spring to celebrate Nebraska’s 150th Sesquicentennial.  It also coincides with the 2016 International Year of the Pulses campaign.

“Although current USDA crop reports estimate 2016 production numbers to be down from 2015, dry beans will continue to be a significant rotational crop in our region for irrigation management, soil fertility, pest management and market volatility,” Schuler notes. “And our producer’s dry beans will be sought out by customers worldwide because of their consistent superior quality.”

You can learn more about the American Doorstep Project at www.AmericanDoorstopProject.com.