Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Learn about " Predatory and Beneficial Bugs" at the next GRO Big Red Virtual Learning webinar on Wednesday, June 10 from Noon-1 p.m. Presented by Extension Educator Ian Peterson via Zoom, this is a great opportunity to join experts from Nebraska Extension to learn and ask questions.

Good garden bugs aren't just our pollinators. From pest predators to nutrient cyclers, learn about some of the other helpers in our gardens and how to support their ongoing presence to best benefit your plants and landscape.

Register at https://hles.unl.edu/gro-big-red. If you cannot participate in the live programs, they will be recorded and made available on this webpage for later viewing.

A few weeks ago, 2nd graders at Bennet Elementary got creative while learning about healthy habits! Students built fun snack “creatures” using cheese sticks, pretzels, dried cranberries, golden raisins and sunflower seeds while exploring the importance of healthy snacking.

This interactive activity is part of the Nutrition School Enrichment Kit program offered by Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County. Throughout the program, students participate in hands-on activities where they learn about the food groups, how to build a healthy meal, how the body digests food, the importance of physical activity, and how healthy choices help fuel their growing bodies and minds!

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

Rachel Anderson: Help your trees weather the storm 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

💻 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

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!

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.

"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.

Tick season: Extension expert talks tick bite prevention Pure Nebraska