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

(402) 444-7804

December 2023

Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties

Extension; Building Cultural Capacity Among Community Food Organizations

On November 3, the Nebraska Extension Nutrition Education Program in Douglas-Sarpy Counties hosted Building Cultural Capacity Among Community Food Organizations. Extension staff and volunteers were joined by 28 community partners representing 16 organizations for a day of networking and learning about being responsive to diverse cultures in food-based work. Rev. Peter Karanja and Rev. Stephanie Hayes from All People’s Pantry, A Culturally Appropriate Food Pantry shared their experiences providing culturally familiar foods to serve Omaha’s migrant and refugee community with dignity. Chef Jamil Bah-Traore demonstrated the preparation of futali, a Malawian soup, and explained the history and culinary traditions of five regions of Africa. Participants enjoyed reflection on these presentations over a lunch of Somali food provided by Wamo Café and Restaurant. Thank you to the Friends of Extension Foundation for making this cultural food experience possible!

4-H School Enrichment

Nebraska's 4-H school enrichment programs are learning experiences delivered to youth in cooperation with public or private school during school hours in support of school curriculum. These programs, delivered by 4-H staff, trained volunteers, or teachers, are built to enhance the subject matter being studied in the classroom and provide hands-on education to complement classroom education.

Last year over 19,000 youth participated in Douglas-Sarpy 4-H program. Learn more about our 4-H school enrichment program at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/douglas-sarpy/school-enrichment-out-of-school/

Caring for Poinsettia

Provide an Ideal Indoor Location

Carefully unwrap your poinsettia as soon as you get home. It is usually best to carefully cut off the protective sleeve rather than attempt to slide the sleeve down and off. Place it near a sunny window or other well-lit area. Do not let your plant touch the cold windowpane. Keep your poinsettia away from cold drafts and heat registers. Poinsettias prefer temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Watering

Check the soil in your poinsettia pot every day with your finger to test for dryness. When the soil surface becomes dry to the touch, water the plant until water begins to flow out the bottom of the pot. The pots of most poinsettias are placed inside decorative pot covers. When watering a poinsettia, carefully remove the pot cover, water the plant in the sink, then set the poinsettia back into the pot cover. Improper watering causes a lot of problems for poinsettias. Watering too frequently or allowing water to collect in the decorative pot cover can result in the yellowing and loss of your poinsettia’s lower leaves. Leaves will curl and drop when plants are allowed to get too dry.

Learn more about poinsettia care here.

Welcome New Receptionists Deb and Micaela

Article adapted from an article by Linda Zinke, Extension Master Gardener

Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties has two part-time receptionists who are both Master Gardeners and are relatively new to the organization. Receptionist Deb Little began working at the Douglas-Sarpy Extension office in the spring of 2023. Prior to joining Extension, Deb had an accomplished career as an administrative assistant at various banks. Deb has lived and traveled all over the world. She became a master gardener in 2022, volunteering at the Sarpy County Fairgrounds Teaching Garden and helping clients on the Horticulture Helpline. Micaela Gilchrist was hired in the fall of 2023. Micaela is an Omaha native, a retired attorney and business owner who recently received her Nebraska Pollinator Habitat Certification. She has been a Master Gardener since 2020, volunteering on the Hort Helpline, at Ask the Master Gardener Tables and Sarpy County Fair Entry Day. Say hello to Deb and Micaela the next time you stop by the main office!

Ways to Enjoy Eating Seasonal Vegetables

Orange vegetables such as squash, peppers, carrots, pumpkin and sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene. Just one cup of carrots, squash, pumpkin or sweet potatoes to get 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. Try this tasty Roasted Sweet Potato and Apple dish. https://go.unl.edu/6wmf

Parsnips, a root vegetable, can be boiled, roasted or baked or fried. They are loaded with vitamins and nutrients and are a lower carbohydrate option than potatoes. Try this tasty pear and parsnip smash-up: https://go.unl.edu/iose

The Good Life in Early Life Podcast

Mike Feeken from First Five Nebraska delves into the impact of early childhood on our economy, both now and in the future. Mike shares how every average citizen can advocate for and bolster early childhood initiatives in their own community. The Good Life in Early Life, is a production of Nebraska Extension, with episodes released twice a month. It is available now on MediaHub, Spotify, and Apple!

UNL | MediaHub | The Good Life in Early Life

Soup Season

There's nothing quite like a steaming bowl of soup on a cold day. Not only is it comforting, it's also a nutritious, affordable, and simple meal option.

To keep soups tasty and healthy, use low-sodium broth, stock, or soup base for the foundation. Experiment with flavorful herbs and spices in place of salt. The most effective replacements are savory flavors with "bite," such as black pepper, garlic powder, curry powder, cumin, dill seeds, basil, ginger, coriander and onion. Use minced or powdered garlic and onion rather than their salt form. When substituting minced or powdered garlic and onion for the salt version, use about half as much.

Here are some helpful tips and delicious recipes to get you started.

Learn more about horticulture and the 4-H programs by signing up for our Newsletters:

Monthly Horticulture Newsletter by emailing John Fech here.
Weekly 4-H Newsletter by emailing Rachel Wright here.

Learn more about our programs in our:

2022 Impact At-A-Glance
2022 Annual Report

Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties

8015 West Center Road, Omaha

402-444-7804

go.unl.edu/douglassarpyext

Email us at douglas-sarpy@unl.edu

Our south office is located at 1102 E. 1st St., Papillion, NE 68046.

To schedule an appointment at our Papillion Office, call 402-444-7804.

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made to Douglas-Sarpy County Extension at 402-444-7804 or douglas-sarpy@unl.edu

Nebraska Extension education programs abide with the non-discrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United State Department of Agriculture.