Sustainable agriculture lost a friend and pioneer with the passing of Gary Young of Mclean, Nebraska. Gary began reducing chemical use on his farm in the 1970s and became part of the Center’s Small Farm Energy Project (see more about the project in the 35 Years article).

His portable solar collector for grain drying and home heating gained national news coverage and the attention of then U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bergland. Gary was later featured on the PBS program NOVA for his innovative farming practices. He was active in on-farm research and for nearly a decade served as President of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society.