Our Mission
To teach agriculture appreciation, outdoor education, cultural connections, and the wise use of natural resources.
Our Vision:
Creating new and deeper connections to the land, ideas, and each other create a more active, aware, and involved community.
We acknowledge and affirm the importance of:
Human connection
Understanding of agriculture & natural resources
Diverse, healthy, and sustainable approaches to production of food, fiber, and fuel
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 how you can volunteer.
Join Our Team
Groundskeeper- We are looking to add a part-time groundskeeper. Read the full position description,then fill out a job applicationif you are interested!
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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. She 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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Lexi Krueger
PROGRAM GUIDE
Lexi has always cherished community, education and nature. Growing up in Hastings, she spent all seasons outside with friends and family, learning and growing. She is currently studying Childhood Education at CCC . 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 try new recipes, feed the squirrels in her backyard and read.
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Brooklyn Sutter
PROGRAM GUIDE
Brooklyn grew up on a small farm in Colorado. She will be a sophomore next year at Hastings College, where she will continue to run track and be an active member of the Scott Scholar program! She loves being outdoors and working with kids. Her favorite hobbies include baking, hiking, painting, and fishing!
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Leah Oman
PROGRAM GUIDE
Leah will be a Junior at Adams Central high school. She loves to be involved with in her school. Whether it is acting in the school musical or competing in various science fairs,she does it all! Leah is also competing in CrossFit competitions along with running various races, like the Lincoln marathon. Although, it was her interest in nature that got, and kept her outside. This summer she is excited to meet new people, bake, and go on more adventures.
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Mandolin Koehler
PROGRAM GUIDE
Mandolin will be a senior in high-school this year at Adam's Central. She loves theater and music and performs at Hastings Community Theater from time to time. She advocates for the importance of outside time and connecting to nature. She is most excited to meet the kiddos and just have an amazing summer!
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Athena Barney
PROGRAM GUIDE
Athena will be a senior at Hastings High school. She sings in choir and participates in NHS, Mentoring Works, and the HHS musical every year! She lives with her grandparents, two siblings, and her three cats. Fun fact, she loves writing poems and baking. She tries to encourage creativity and is looking forward to meeting the campers this summer!
Board of Directors
Kyla Habrock, Co-Chair- Director of Community Vitality, Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce
Cris Wright, Co-Chair- Operations Manager, Windstream
Kirk Feeney, Treasurer- CFO, Bruckman Rubber Co
Carissa Uhrmacher, Secretary- Assistant Director of Career Services, Hastings College
Erica Adams, Director of Operations/Real Estate Salesperson, Agri Affiliates
Beth Coil, Branch President, Heartland Bank
Tony Kavan, Trooper, Nebraska State Patrol
Fallon Ross, Natural Resource Specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, NRCS
Mikki Shafer, Community Volunteer
Jayson Stoddard, Teacher on Special Assignment, Hastings Middle School
Jody Stutzman, Regional Director, Proteus, Inc.
Turner Tinant, Financial Advisor, Ridgeline
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 100,000 people with its programming and community-based activities.
Each year, Prairie Loft connects with thousands 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!
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STAT SHEET
Nature’s benefits to mental health & wellness (from Children & Nature Network).
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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 6,500 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!
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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.
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Community Events
Creating fun family experiences through nature and agriculture deepens community connections.
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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.
