July Tips and Upcoming Events from NE Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties

402-444-7804

July 2022

Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties News

Canning Tips

Check the directions that come with your canner before starting to can. If you no longer have the directions or have questions about a specific canner, check with the company.

Make sure your canning recipes are following the latest USDA guidelines. They should be based on or compatible with the 2015 guidelines. Depending on the type of food, ALL canning must now be done in a boiling water canner (high acid foods) or a pressure canner (low acid foods). Significant changes were made in 1994 that are critical to the safety of some processes. These included changes in canning tomatoes and pickles.

See frequently asked canning questions and how-to videos at https://food.unl.edu/canning.

Do you have gardening and plant questions?

Master Gardeners are available to answer questions from 9 am-12 pm and 1-4 pm.

By phone: 402-444-7804

Email: douglas-sarpy@unl.edu

In person: 8015 West Center Road, Omaha

Nebraska Extension's Scott Evans and Dana Freeman explain how to properly prepare a plant/insect/disease sample in this short video https://youtu.be/l3EDPB40oTA

Summer Food Safety

Sometimes raw fruits and vegetables contain harmful germs that can cause serious illness. The CDC estimates that germs on fresh produce cause a large percentage of foodborne illnesses in the United States. You can enjoy uncooked fruits and vegetables by taking the following steps to reduce your risk of foodborne illness.

https://go.unl.edu/handlinggroceries

Mosquitos

Mosquitoes are a major summertime pest in this area, and they can transmit disease to humans such as West Nile Virus. Only the adult female mosquitoes require a blood meal, while male mosquitoes feed on plant nectar. Ways to prevent mosquitoes from breeding nearby include dumping standing water in bird baths, toys, tires and other items found outdoors. Other important preventative measures include wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, using EPA-approved insect repellents, and avoiding the outdoors during peak times of activity.

Learn more in the Bug's Life Cards at: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/insects/ (Outdoors > Biting Pests)

Our Extension Experts on Backyard Farmer

Backyard Farmer, BYF, is a cooperative television program produced by University of Nebraska - Lincoln and Nebraska Public Media.

John Porter is the Community Environment Program Leader & Urban Agriculture Extension Educator. He has been on Backyard Farmer since 2017.

His favorite thing about being on BYF: "I love being able to interact with colleagues live on TV. And I also love that I can find someone anywhere in Nebraska who knows/watches the show and who knows me and my great colleagues.

Check out John's previously recorded and aired BYF panel shows and educational segments at https://www.youtube.com/c/backyardfarmer/videos.

Ask our Backyard Farmer experts a question here. Your question may be featured on the TV show!

Coming Soon! 4-H Sarpy County Fair Exhibits & Events

Join us in celebrating Douglas and Sarpy Counties 4-H youth at the Sarpy County Fair from August 3-7, 2022. The county fair provides youth with an opportunity to display projects and demonstrate skills that they have developed throughout the year. Exhibiting at the fair teaches youth responsibility, leadership, and skill development. See the schedule of 4-H exhibit and events here.