Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

06/01/2026

Extension Educator Rachel Anderson is starting a monthly horticulture column in the Lincoln Journal Star. Here first one.

Thunderstorms, tornadoes and severe windstorms are a common occurrence on the Plains, causing damage to landscapes and structures. Follow these tips to help your trees and other plants stand up

06/01/2026

Congrats to Khloe Cuttlers, a Lancaster County 4-H senior, who was one of 21 Nebraska students selected for UNL College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources' newest cohort of the Nebraska Elite 11 Veterinarian Program! These students will receive a Nebraska Production Animal Health Scholarship.

Khloe says showing and raising animals through 4-H inspired her to follow a veterinary science career.

She will show meat goats, swine and poultry one more year at the Lancaster County Super Fair, July 30-Aug. 8 (4-H exhibits and animal shows will featured July 30-Aug. 2). If you see Khloe, wish her well!

Nebraska 4-H, Lancaster County, Nebraska, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

05/28/2026

💻 On-Demand Webinar | Strategies to Enhance Transitions and Routines

Switching from one activity to another can be tough for kids and the adults supporting them. In this webinar, we’ll dive into practical strategies to make transitions smoother and build effective routines that help children thrive.

Register for this on-demand class at https://go.unl.edu/transitions

05/27/2026

Help local 4-H youth grow during Give to Lincoln Day tomorrow!

Lancaster County 4-H Council is one of the nonprofits the community can give donations to during “Give to Lincoln Day” hosted by Lincoln Community Foundation. Your donation on Thursday, May 28 is made bigger by a proportional share of a $650,000 challenge match fund!

Here are a few ways your support can help youth:
• Support one or more youth participating in statewide 4-H contests, like Speech and Presentation.
• Provide hands-on learning opportunities to more local youth through after-school 4-H programs.
• Help send a Lancaster County youth to a 4-H camp through a scholarship.
• Make a BIG difference helping local youth grow into true leaders!

Donate at http://go.unl.edu/giveto4hcouncil

Thank you for your support!

05/21/2026

Grilling season is here!

Rates of foodborne illness tend to increase during the summer months because germs grow faster in warmer, more humid weather. People also cook and eat outside, making shortcuts to food safety tempting because they are away from the convenience of soap and running water at the kitchen sink.

Use a food thermometer to ensure the following safe internal temperatures:
• Cook beef, pork, lamb and veal steaks, chops and roasts to 145 F. For safety and quality, allow meat to rest for at least three minutes before carving or consuming.
• Cook poultry (whole or ground) to 165 F.
• Cook ground beef, pork, lamb and veal to 160 F.
• Cook fish to 145 F.

05/21/2026

"The best thing you can do to prevent yourself from getting sick, is to do a full body tick check — check yourself, check your children and check your pets, too," Extension Educator Kait Chapman told Pure Nebraska.

Pure Nebraska

05/20/2026

Know any 14- and 15-year-olds who want to legally drive a tractor and/or learn tractor safety? Extension offers trainings across the state.

05/19/2026

Growing Together at ConnectioN Point 🌱

Last week, something beautiful took root — community, connection, and fresh food for our neighbors.

Through the Growing Together Nebraska project, volunteers gathered at ConnectioN Point to assemble and install three new raised garden beds, bringing the total to eight thriving beds dedicated to growing fresh produce for the Open Shelf Pantry.

Karen Wilson, the Extension Master Gardener who oversees the garden, said, "The additional raised garden beds will allow us to grow a larger quantity and variety of produce. ConnectioN Point asked their food pantry users what fresh produce they'd like. Based on their feedback, we will grow more leafy greens, tomatoes and peppers, and try new offerings such as kolarabi, bok choy and watermelon."

This garden has been nourishing the community since 2017, with support from Growing Together Nebraska since 2019 — and each year, the impact continues to grow. On average, the garden produces 300+ pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables each season, helping ensure neighbors have access to healthy, local food.

This effort wouldn’t be possible without incredible partners:
• Plant starters grown by Community Crops
• Support from an Obesity Prevention Grant through the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department
• Seeds donated by Earl May Garden Center and Nebraska Extension
• Hands-on help from Nebraska Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program volunteers, health department partners, and our Extension team

The Open Shelf Pantry at ConnectioN Point is open Tuesdays & Thursdays from 2–4 PM for anyone who could use a little extra food support.