Nebraska is a major ranching and farming state found in the Midwestern United State. Nebraska is in the heart of the Great Plains, and once was considered as part of the Great American Desert although it is actually a very productive agricultural prairie land. During the 1860s settlers began claiming free parcels of land which was granted to those pioneers for free or almost free. Many farmers built their original homes with sod due to the lack of a supply of wood since there were no forests in the area. Edwin Perkins invented the drink known as ‘Kool-Aid’ in Hastings Nebraska in 1927. The second weekend of every August, Nebraskans celebrate ‘Kool-Aid Days.’ Explore Nebraska in the following cities: