HONORING OUR PAST, CRAFTING OUR FUTURE

WORKSHOP RENEWAL CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

10 YEARS
IN THE MAKING

PROJECT SCOPE

The Workshop is set to become the primary year-round facility at Prairie Loft, advancing our ability to serve the community through education and events. Thanks to strong community support, 95% of the necessary funds for this $1.5 million project have already been received or pledged since the project began in 2015. The Board of Directors reviews every phase of construction to ensure quality results at a reasonable cost. Phases 1 and 2 are complete, and Phase 3 is now in progress. The Workshop will offer adaptable spaces for educational programs, retreats, and other community gatherings, along with essential amenities like a commercial kitchen, office space, bathrooms, and storage.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The Workshop was once a machine shed on the working farm that served the Hastings Regional Center. Prairie Loft has breathed new life into three historic farm buildings, including the iconic Loft Barn (horse barn), Pavilion (fire hall), and finally the Workshop (machine shed). This preservation effort is central to our mission of honoring agricultural heritage while meeting the modern needs of our growing community.

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DONATE TO CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

Your gift will help complete the 10-year long capital improvement project at Prairie Loft.

To donate via cash or check remit gifts to:
Prairie Loft Center 4705 DLD Road, Hastings, NE 68901.

Or give through your Donor Advised Fund here or through the Hastings Community Foundation.

Prairie Loft Center for Outdoor and Agricultural Learning is a
501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit.

PROJECT’S
INFLUENCE

  • PRESERVING HERITAGE

    The Workshop holds historical value, representing the legacy of the Hastings Regional Center farm. By preserving the original south end of the building, we are honoring local agricultural history while making the space functional for modern needs of Prairie Loft’s unique programs.

  • ONE-OF-A-KIND GATHERING SPACE

    The Workshop will serve as a vital hub for community events, providing a space unlike any other for meetings, retreats, and celebrations. Its flexible design allows it to host small and large gatherings, offering a much-needed venue for social connection and civic engagement.

  • ENHANCED PROGRAM OFFERINGS

    With expanded meeting spaces and improved amenities, the Workshop will enable Prairie Loft to increase the capacity and scope of its educational programs. This includes workshops, retreats, field trips, and summer camps that connect participants of all ages to agriculture, nature, and sustainability.

  • ECONOMIC & SOCIAL IMPACT

    The renovated Workshop will attract more visitors and users from Hastings and beyond, boosting local tourism and supporting the area's economy. It will also serve as a resource for local organizations, providing a low-cost, functional space for meetings and events.

  • SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

    The renovation will be carried out with a focus on sustainability, using energy-efficient climate control systems, insulation, and modern plumbing. The design incorporates the existing structure, reducing waste and environmental impact while creating a space that encourages agricultural appreciation and outdoor education.

  • LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

    The Workshop will stand as a symbol of how the past and future can coexist. By combining the original architecture with modern upgrades, we ensure the space will be an enduring resource for generations to come—fostering learning, connection, and appreciation for our important agricultural heritage.

DONATE TODAY

YEARS OF DREAMS, COMING TO REALITY

Phases I & II are complete with Phase III under construction as we speak.

  • BUILDING ADDITIONS COMPLETED JANUARY 2018

    Underground work
    PlumbingConcrete
    Framing
    Exterior finishes on West
    Bathroom Addition
    East Vestibule Addition

    Construction cost: $486,975

  • NORTH END
    COMPLETED JULY 2019

    Big R’s Commercial Kitchen
    Pershing Prairie Meeting Space
    Family Bathroom
    Upstairs Storage Area
    New Exterior Doors & Windows
    Temperature Control Systems

    Construction cost: $340,598

  • SOUTH END
    IN PROGRESS

    Foyer, large flexible meeting space with a garage door to connect the finished northern section to the rustic, original Workshop barn (south end), new bathrooms, exterior doors, windows, temperature control systems, insulation, sheet rock, plumbing, fixtures, surfaces, and interior finishes and furnishings.

    ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COSTS: $532,437

OUR FUNDRAISING

CAMPAIGN PROGRESS

RAISED INCLUDES: Phases I & II Completion, plus grants and gifts to-date

COST BY PHASE

PROJECT TOTAL: $1,443,573

This project reflects Prairie Loft's commitment to cultivating a thriving, connected, and knowledgeable community. With continued support, we will bring this vision to life and deepen our impact. Your gift or pledge will help us achieve that goal.

Foundation – $250+

Just as the foundation supports a barn, donors at this level help lay the groundwork for renovating the Workshop, transforming it into a functional space for community use.

Beams & Rafters – $500+

Beams and rafters provide the structural integrity of a barn. These donors play a critical role in supporting the structural upgrades needed for the Workshop to serve as a versatile meeting and educational space.

Hayloft – $1,000+

The hayloft stores valuable resources, and donors at this level help provide the essential tools and materials required to complete the Workshop renovation.

Barn Door – $5,000+

Just as a barn door welcomes people inside, donors at this level help open the doors of the renovated Workshop, creating a welcoming space for community gatherings and educational events.

Cupola – $10,000+

The cupola allows light and air into the barn, and donors at this level bring vision and possibilities to the Workshop project, enabling new educational and community opportunities.

Gable – $25,000+

The gable roof defines the barn’s iconic look and maximizes its usable space. Donors at this top level are key to transforming the Workshop into a fully functional, historically preserved space that will serve Prairie Loft’s growing needs for years to come.

Naming Opportunities Available

PROJECT SUPPORTERS

2014-2025

Your gift will help complete the 10-year long capital improvement project at Prairie Loft.

To donate via cash or check remit gifts to:
Prairie Loft Center 4705 DLD Road, Hastings, NE 68901.

Or give through your Donor Advised Fund here or through the Hastings Community Foundation.

Prairie Loft Center for Outdoor and Agricultural Learning is a
501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit.

  • Nebraska Shovel-Ready Reconstruction Act
    Anonymous
    Kiewit Foundation
    Centennial Plastics
    The LeRoy Thom, Jean Thom, & T-L Irrigation Foundation
    Hastings Community Foundation

  • Justin & Alison Osborne
    Larry & Barbara Schnase
    Charles Shoemaker & Lynne Friedewald

  • Carroll & Bonnie Burling
    American Endowment Foundation Cooperative Producers, Inc.
    Adams County Convention & Visitors Bureau
    Pinnacle Bank
    Lee & Eileen Saathoff
    Kitty M. Perkins Foundation
    Five Points Bank
    Debra & David Schnase
    Matt & Stephanie Pershing
    Jim & Jean Thom
    Farm Credit Services of America
    Heritage Bank

  • Darrel & Marilyn Stromer
    Morrison Enterprises
    South Central Nebraska Quarter Horse Association
    Tim & Susan Overmiller
    John & Cathy Pershing
    Mike & Lois Thom
    Heartland Bank
    Sunnyside Foundation
    Hastings Economic Development Corporation
    Peg & John Welch

  • Charlene Turner
    Doug & Gail Saathoff
    Judy & Marty Hoch
    Patty Hammer-Berger & Paul Berger
    Bridget Barron
    Jack & Judy Sandeen
    Adam & Ashley Pavelka
    Chuck & Mary Lou Neumann
    Industrial Irrigation Services
    Calvin & Jane Johnson
    Brian & Janet Bish
    Jill & John Beyke
    Daren & Buffy Niemeyer
    Town & Country Realty
    Stromer Land Levelling, Inc.
    Bob & Jan Herbek
    Rich Olson
    Ron & Evelyn Katzberg
    Dutton-Lainson
    Nancy Langford
    Chris & Amanda Thom
    Neal & Gloria Katzberg
    Ruhter Auction & Realty
    Marcia Konen
    Matt & Suzanne Greenquist
    Roger & Donna Shaw
    Joan & Tom Quinn
    Jay Cattle
    Hawthorne Insurance
    Aurora Cooperative
    Mike & Cindy Peak
    Bob & Mary Hansen
    David Evans
    Barb & Gerry Preissler
    Sharen Lukow
    Kevin & Jane Bruntz
    Dean & Karen Hawthorne
    Great Plains Cattle Company
    George & Colleen Adam
    Stephanie & Mark Bliss
    Carol & Stan Eilers
    Don & Pat Kingsley
    Jessie McAndrew
    Agri Affiliates
    Ed & Margaret Schlachter
    Shelley Fletcher
    Diane & John Borthwick
    Stephanie & Tyler Adam
    Marilyn Nielsen
    Dick & Kathy Samuelson
    Gaylen & Susie Stahl
    Ryan & Kristi Weeks
    West Fork Farms
    Carol & Dan McWhirter
    Lynn & Kim Lisius
    Amy Skalka & Josh Yost
    Randy & Phyllis Jacobitz
    Justin & Kili Wenburg
    Deb Hardin Quirk
    Peter Zandbergen

Questions? Reach out.

hello@example.com
(402) 463-0565

4705 DLD Road
Hastings, NE 68901