Our Mission
To teach agriculture appreciation, outdoor education, cultural connections, and the wise use of natural resources.
Our Vision:
Create new and deeper connections to the land, ideas, and each other create a more active, aware, and appreciative community.
We acknowledge and affirm the importance of:
Human connections
Healthy and sustainable ecological and agricultural systems
Diverse approaches to production of food, fiber, and fuel production
Understanding of agriculture & natural resources
Learning from our history and teaching for our future
“You can play in the mud!! You can go on walks. I love Prairie Loft!!! It is the best place ever.”
— Prairie Loft Kid, Age 6
Our People
You make our mission possible! Hundreds of volunteers help each year with events, programs, gardens, grounds, and other projects. Your donations are also vital to our growth and success. There are many ways to get involved!
Learn about our volunteer opportunities.
Interested in joining the team? Consider becoming a Seasonal Program Guide!
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Megan Arrington-Williams
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Megan’s passion for connection and community is rooted in her bond to Prairie Loft and Central Nebraska. A Colorado native, Megan spent summers hiking and camping. She earned a degree in Mass Communications from Hastings College. A creative journey brought her to Prairie Loft, via nonprofits, downtown improvements, craft beer, publishing and yoga. She brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit work, business operations, and creativity in advocating for a thriving future for any organization of which she is a part. As an active member of the community, Megan currently serves on the Hastings Community Arts Council Committee and the Downtown Do the Brew Planning Committee. She believes that through connection to oneself, recognizing the humanity in another is the best form to connect, and there is no better space to do that than the outdoors!
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Alli Granstrom
PROGRAM MANAGER
Alli was raised on a farm in Holstein, Nebraska, and has been a part of the Hastings community her entire life. In between organizing events for schools and church, Alli spent several years as a nanny and has observed the importance of spending time playing outside and how crucial that is in the development of a child's life. After recently graduating from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Alli is excited to connect more with local businesses, schools, nonprofits, and other organizations to further Prairie Loft’s goals of teaching people about agriculture, while inspiring friends of all ages with new and fun ways to spend time outside appreciating and enjoying nature.
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Bre Jonaitis
PROGRAM GUIDE
Bre was raised in Queen Creek, Arizona, and studies wildlife biology at Hastings College. She spends most of her time outdoors soaking in the summer sun and looking at the many animals around her. She loves to teach others about the importance of everything living and non living things all around us. Bre is a competitive cheerleader for her college that also enjoys her time off with her cat, Kitkat, while learning everything new. She does not mind getting dirty and muddy as she is most excited for the Dirt Days and the Big Dig Camp!
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Emilia Uhrmacher
PROGRAM GUIDE
Emilia will be a junior at Adams Central High school. She has danced all of her life and participates in Cheer, Student Council, FBLA, and many other activities! She grew up on a family farm. Fun fact, she loves riding in the combine. She enjoys the outdoors and grew up going to the lake all her life!
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Lexi Krueger
PROGRAM GUIDE
Lexi is an avid reader and nature enthusiast! She spends most of her time going for walks, practicing her embroidery skills, or reading. She is also a bookseller at Bryant Books and Music. Along with her passion for nature, Lexi is a huge advocate of creating a nurturing and productive space for children to learn. In between work and other activities, she loves to travel and cook. She’s so excited to meet all the campers this summer!
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Ryann King
PROGRAM GUIDE
Ryann will be a Junior at Adams Central. She spends most of her time assisting at the dance studio during the school year and has been doing that for the past few years. She is also involved in many other activities like cheer! She loves arts and crafts and is excited to see what crafts we do this summer. She likes to spend time with her family and dog Maverick. She can’t wait to spend time with all the campers this summer!
Board of Directors
Audra Espinoza, Co-Chair – Community Engagement Coordinator, United Way of South Central Nebraska
Rhesa Ledbetter, Co-Chair – Assistant Professor of Biology, Hastings College
Mark DeDiana, CPA, CFE, Treasurer – Manager, CORE CPAs
Kyla Habrock, Development & Marketing Manager, FFA Foundation
Drew Harris, Chief Administrator, ESU9
Jan Herbek, Retired educator
Sarah Hoops, Career & Technical Education Contractor, Nebraska Department of Education
Nate Myers, CFO, Associated Staffing, Inc.
Denice Pleak, Operations Manager, Thermo King
Carissa Uhrmacher, Assistant Director of Career Services, Hastings College
Cris Wright, Operations Manager, Windstream
Our Place
Located just west of Hastings, Nebraska, the beautiful barns were once part of a working farm that fed more than 1,000 people for 80 years at the former state mental hospital. Original farm buildings and grounds are getting new life through our renovation efforts, creating new and expanded space for the community to gather and learn.
Our Influence
Prairie Loft Center for Outdoor and Agricultural Learning was established with the goal to introduce outdoors and agriculture experiences to as many people as possible.
People Served by Education Programs
Since its founding in 2005, Prairie Loft has welcomed over 93,000 people with its programming and community-based activities.
Each year, Prairie Loft connects with hundreds of school-aged children through field trips and summer camps. Each offering provides hands-on, active experiences to engage and create cultural connections.
We take pride in providing experiences for people of all ages. We serve schools, summer programs, home school groups, daycares, adult learning associations, senior centers and more.
We strive to offer inclusive programs with activities designed so that everyone can participate regardless of ability, background, or circumstance. We are building a program where today’s Prairie Loft kids will want to bring their own kids back in the future!
STAT SHEET
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Spent viewing a natural setting result in positive changes in blood pressure, heart activity, muscle tension and brain electrical activity.
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Spent outside in nature could significantly reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.
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In nature every week is proven to make you feel happier and healthier.
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Of therapeutic gardening activities helped reduce severity of depression and increase attentional capacity for patients with clinical depression.
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Have shown that stress reduction is a key perceived benefit of outdoor recreation, considering both nearby nature and wilderness settings.
As part of a worldwide movement to affirm that outdoor experiences are fundamental to our humanity, Prairie Loft’s outdoor programs offer inclusive, shared activities for people of all ages in a uniquely beautiful farm-based setting.
Prairie Loft helps people invest in essential virtues like curiosity, creativity, and awe; knowing that the returns will improve life quality in our community.
Like any organism, a community needs food, shelter and space to thrive. Prairie Loft feeds agricultural, natural, and cultural literacy for 8,000 people annually; shelters gatherings, celebrations, and learning on 200 days per year; and provides varied spaces for seasons of growing, exploring, and discovering on 75 acres of land.
Our Programs
Prairie Loft offers unique and exceptional education programs that connect people, food, and the land. From field trips and community events to workshops, summer camps, and private gatherings Prairie Loft takes learning outside!
FIELD TRIPS
Explore our hands-on, active field trips for all ages and organizations. Take lessons back that easily translate in the classroom or office.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Creating fun family experiences through nature and agriculture deepens community connections.
SUMMER CAMPS
Campers learn, explore, and bond while having fun! Sessions range from 1-day to 4-day and even evening camps! REGISTRATION OPENS IN MARCH.
