400,000 bulbs and four acres are set aside this spring for Nelson Produce Farm’s first ever Tulip Festival. The local and family owned farm located outside of Elkhorn, Nebraska hosts many events throughout the year and they are ready to add this newest attraction to their schedule.
Along with their four daughters, Tyler and Pam Nelson have supplied Omaha and the surrounding areas with farm-fresh produce for over fifteen years. Starting in 2019, the family began inviting the community to experience their life on the farm and educate others about the agricultural industry.
“Personally, Nelson Produce Farm is more than just a farm,” Chelsea Norman, marketing and events manager, said. “It is a one-of-a-kind experience that connects people to the land. Unlike anything else in the area, it offers hands-on opportunities for families to immerse themselves in farm life–whether it’s feeding animals, picking fresh produce, or exploring seasonal events like the Tulip Festival.”
Nelson Produce Farm’s Tulip Festival is set to begin sometime around late April depending on the weather and when the tulips decide to bloom. They are excited to add this new event to their schedule, beginning their farm season in late spring instead of the month of June.
“It is the perfect way to celebrate the season,” Norman said. “Stroll through the vibrant fields of blooming tulips and enjoy a one-of-a-kind farm experience filled with photo-worthy moments, family-friendly activities, delicious treats, and the charm of the countryside.”
With over 35 varieties of tulips, the Tulip Festival is the perfect spring activity for any flower or nature lover. One person who is especially excited for the event is Lena Weibye, a sophomore at Lincoln East.
“I went on a trip to the Netherlands two years ago and they had so many pretty tulips,” Weibye said. “The tulip fields were so beautiful there and I’ve always dreamed that I would be able to see a tulip field like those again. When I heard about Nelson Produce Farm’s Tulip Festival, I was so happy that there was somewhere nearby where I could go and see the flowers.”
The Netherlands is largely considered the tulip capital of the world, and the country exports over three million tulips each year. This large industry requires a significant amount of farmland. According to the data provided by Statistica in the entry “Area used for production of tulip bulbs in the Netherlands from 2008 to 2023,” in the Netherlands in 2023, “approximately 15,000 hectares of farmland was dedicated to the production of tulip bulbs.”
This area is equivalent to about 150 million square meters or a little over 37,000 acres of land. While the four acres set aside for tulips at Nelson Produce Farms may not be as extensive as those in the Netherlands, the Tulip Festival is sure to be a beautiful display of blooms for all of Nebraska to enjoy.
Many details of the Tulip Festival are yet to be decided, so be sure to keep your eye out for dates on their website at nelsonproducefarm.com or on their instagram @nelsonproduce.
