Harlan Hamernik, owner of Bluebird Nursery is constantly on the lookout for new varieties of native plants that are environmentally friendly - requiring less water and fewer pesticides to survive. His employees take field trips throughout the Midwest and Harlan travels the world to find plants that would make a foundation stock for the nursery. This fall he traveled to Tibet. His motto, "If they can grow in Nebraska they can grow anywhere".

The nursery offers more than 2,000 varieties of wildflowers, native grasses, perennials, dwarf shrubs, herbs and vines. And sells nationwide and to Canada.

Hats off to this innovative business that not only incorporates the latest in environmentally safe growing practices but is producing plants that will not only beautify our homes but be help reduce water and pesticide use in our future.