402-444-7804
July 2021
Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties News
Community Environment
Need Gardening Help?

Extension Master Gardeners are here taking your calls Monday - Friday
from 9 am - noon and 1 - 4 pm

402-444-7804

Check out our weather station at http://mgextensionwx.com/

Food and Nutrition
Canning Newsletter

It is important to use current food preservation information. Learn more about canning, freezing and drying by subscribing to Nebraska Extension’s new “So You Want to Preserve” newsletter. To subscribe click here.
Child and Youth
Early Childhood Education Professional Development
Join us this summer from anywhere! 
The schedule of upcoming live on-line classes can be found at:
4-H & Youth Development 
Make Plans to Visit the Fair

Douglas County Fair
July 16 - 18, 2021


Sarpy County Fair
August 4 - 8, 2021

4-H Sarpy County fair events can be found here.
Community Environment
Efficient Watering for Veggie Gardens - Drip, Drip, Drip


Are you looking for a good way to water your veggie garden? Think drip. Drip irrigation has many advantages over overhead watering, including less evaporation loss, fewer foliar diseases and fewer weeds. Find more information on how to water your garden here.
4-H & Youth Development 
Living Room Learning
Open to All Youth

What do art and entrepreneurship have in common? Tune into the next Living Room Learning+ to find out!

Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 10:00 am CT

We’ll be joined by 2 creative entrepreneurs who got their start in 4-H. A photographer, and a fashion designer will help youth explore elements and principles of art as they create their own artwork that tells a story. Learn more and pre-register at 4h.unl.edu/living-room-learning
Food and Nutrition
Reading Nutrition Labels

Have you noticed the nutrition facts changes with food label?

Formatting changes have been made with the serving sizes on the label and calorie amounts. Other changes include the types of nutrients listed that are better matched to the nutritional needs of Americans.

A noticeable change is to the label design. The calorie amount is in a bold and large font. Information about the amount of calories from fat has been removed on the new label and an adjustment to how serving sizes are displayed. The new label now has the recommended serving size in a bold font with the packaging's total serving sizes listed above it.

A label may also have dual columns. A dual column is used for food items that have multiple servings per container, but have the potential to eat the whole container's worth in one sitting. This dual column will show the nutrients and calories for a single, recommended serving but also list the information for the entire container.

Learn more here.
Community Environment
Garden Produce Tips

Learn when to harvest fruits and vegetables here.
Summer squash (like zucchini) are picked while they're immature and their skins are tender. 

Do you have too much zucchini?
Freeze it for future baking
  • Choose young tender zucchini.
  • Wash and grate.
  • Steam blanch (directions below) in small quantities 1 to 2 minutes until translucent.
  • Pack in measured amounts into containers, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.
  • Cool by placing the containers in cold water.
  • Seal and freeze. If watery when thawed, discard the liquid before using the zucchini.
Learn more about freezing zucchini for bakers here.
Child and Youth
Keeping Your Family Active

Outdoor activities are a great way to fit physical activity into your day. When physical activity is fun for the whole family, everyone benefits. Don't forget to include children in the planning process to increase their engagement. Adults are encouraged to walk, run, and play with the children during the activity instead of just sitting on the sidelines. Try one of these outdoor activities with your family.
Work with Us!

Our Nutrition Education Program is hiring! Transform lives by teaching (planning and implementing) and evaluating approved educational programming in basic nutrition, food preparation and resource management, physical activity, and/or other grant specific deliverables for low-income audiences. https://buff.ly/3gOrSET
School/Major: University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Biological Sciences
Engineering Emphasizing in: Biomedical Engineering

What is your main goal for this experience?
To help youth find their passion in the STEM field and grow in their interests.

What skills do hope to learn or sharpen during this time?

Problem Solving and Communication
School/Major:
University of Nebraska-Lincoln/Biological Sciences
What is your main goal for this experience?
My main goal for this experience is to encourage youth to pursue their wildest dreams in STEM and give them the tools to make them confident they can succeed.
What skills do hope to learn or sharpen during this time?
During this time, I hope to improve my leadership skills as a mentor as well as adapt my leading/teaching style to the individual needs of each group of students that comes through.
8015 West Center Road
Omaha, NE 68124-3175
402-444-7804

Our south office is now located at 1102 E. 1st St., Papillion, NE 68046. Please call ahead to schedule a visit.