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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Josie Parker
LEAD PROGRAM GUIDE
Josie was raised in Omaha and now attends Hastings College, double majoring in social sciences and marketing. Driven by helping others and making the world a better place, Josie joined the Prairie Loft team in hopes to be a part of something bigger than herself and to make a difference in younger generations. She is a Scott Scholar at Hastings college and also works at Hastings Ford Lincoln car dealership. Between studies and work, Josie enjoys spending time with family and friends, painting and being outdoors when it’s warm!
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Erin Cannady
PROGRAM GUIDE
Erin lives in Nelson and is a full-time student at Hastings College, studying sociology. Erin looks forward to being a "big kid with" and playing with all the other kiddos this summer. She is excited to share her love for biology and nature with everyone she meets.
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Leah Lehrling
PROGRAM GUIDE
Leah attends Hastings High School and will graduate next Spring. She hopes to pursue a degree in design or biology. Leah loves to spend time with her family and her dog Blue. She also loves art, gardening, and birdwatching and is excited to share those passions with all the campers.
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Mikeayla Samuelson
PROGRAM GUIDE
Mikeayla graduated from Adams Central High School in 2023 and attends Kansas State University in the fall where she plans to major in Agriculture Education. A fun fact about Mikeayla is that she loves to show cattle and pigs!
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.
