Sarpy County noxious-weed superintendent reports strong annual scores, urges landowner cooperation

Josh Nelson, Sarpy County noxious weed superintendent, told commissioners on April 29 that his annual reports to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture showed strong performance and that he plans proactive inspections and outreach this season.

"My office is always open. I encourage the public to reach out to me and create control plans and I love to provide education," Nelson said, adding that landowner cooperation is essential to sustain the results reflected in the reports.

Nelson said the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s noxious-weed reporting process depends in part on landowner participation. He noted that the county’s general notice was published and that he will be meeting with landowners identified in the previous year to address potential problems early. He also encouraged producers who need certified weed-free forage for national parks or Nebraska Department of Transportation projects to contact his office.

Nelson told the board he now serves on the Nebraska Invasive Species Council, which helps set the statewide noxious-weed list and provides additional contacts for control and identification. Commissioners thanked Nelson for the department’s work; meeting comments noted the high scores but no formal board action was taken on the report.

For more information, Nelson told the board that his office will provide education, develop control plans with landowners and coordinate with state contacts for specialized questions.