Feature stories/news
Need to Renew Your Private Pesticide License?
Upcoming trainings are happening near you
Buffalo County Extension will be offering Pesticide Safety Education for Private Applicators beginning in February. A Private Applicator is a licensed applicator who uses any restricted-use pesticide (RUP) for the purpose of producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by him/her or his/her employer. This also includes any person applying restricted-use pesticides on the property of another person without compensation (other than the trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities).
Buffalo County Dates
Air Fryer Class Coming March 26
Healthy Food Fast
Is your air fryer gathering dust on your pantry shelf? Discover new reasons to use this energy efficient appliance to prepare nutritious, delicious meals in less time. Join us at the Buffalo County Extension located at 1400 E 34th St. in Kearney at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 26. Please register at the Buffalo County Extension office by noon on March 20th. The class is $15 per participant paid by cash or check only. If you have questions, please call us at 308-236-1235.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made by March 20 to Kayla Hinrichs at 308-728-5071 or khinrichs3@unl.edu.
Drone Course Coming to Kearney
Part 107 Remote Pilot Exam Prep Course is March 20
Drones are now widely used across many industries, including agriculture, construction, emergency management, natural resources, real estate, infrastructure inspection, and public safety. For most professional and commercial drone operations, pilots are required to hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Nebraska Extension’s Part 107 Remote Pilot Exam Prep Course is designed to help participants earn this certification. This one-day, eight-hour course prepares attendees to take the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Exam. Course topics include FAA regulations, airspace classifications, weather fundamentals, radio communications, and safe flight operations. The course is structured for individuals with little or no aviation background and provides clear guidance for operating legally within the National Airspace System.
More Information
Free Training
Suicide Prevention Training for Farmers and Farm Families
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST, Tuesday, March 24
Farmers and farm families have experienced increasing pressure resulting in high levels of stress, mental health issues, and suicide. The Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) training teaches laypeople and professionals to recognize and respond to mental health crises. In this 1.5 hour training, you will explore how the unique challenges farmers face can lead to stress, depression, and suicide, strategies for helping someone at risk of suicide, increase your confidence when talking to someone in crisis, recognize suicide warning signs, decrease stigma in your community and more.
2026 GroBigRed Virtual Learning Series
Wednesdays at 12 p.m. CST
Join the experts from Nebraska Extension to learn and
ask questions about:
- March 11 — The Road to Ripe: Growing Great Tomatoes with Dana Freeman
- April 8 — Vegetable Garden Insect Pests with Dr. Jody Green
- May 13 — Lawn & Landscape Weeds with Scott Evans
- June 10 — Beyond Pollinators: Predatory and Beneficial Bugs with Ian Peterson
- July 8 — Recognizing Tree Hazards and Non-Hazards with John Fech
- August 12 — Composting for Small-Scale Growers with Katja Koehler-Cole
- September 9 — Fall Garden Preparation with Nicole Stoner
- October 14 — Spring Flowering Bulbs with Scott Evans & Mary Jane Frogge
Register
Be Fire Smart
protect your home with defensible landscaping
Wildfires are an increasing concern across Nebraska and beyond. Homeowners can reduce risk by creating a Fire Smart landscape that limits potential fuels. Establish three defensible zones around your home: the Ember Resistant Zone (0–5 feet) with non-combustible materials and low plants; the Lean, Clean, and Green Zone (5–30 feet) with well-spaced, irrigated plants; and the Reduce Fuel Zone (30–100 feet) with thinned vegetation. Select plants with low flammability, maintain proper spacing, and remove dead or dry material regularly. Thoughtful landscape design and consistent management can significantly reduce wildfire spread and protect homes from fire damage.
Weather Ready Landscaping
How Can Buffalo County Extension Help You?
Identify plants and problems
Not sure what kind of tree is in your yard? Having problems with your turf, garden or houseplants? Bring in a sample of the plant and our expert can identify the plant and also diagnose problems or disease.
Identify insects in the home and outdoors
Bring a specimen into the office in a sealed plastic bag or container and our expert will identify what it is and best methods to control or eliminate it.
Test pressure cookers and food safety advice
Not sure if your pressure cooker gauge is correct? No need to bring the entire unit - just bring the lid with the gauge, and we will test it for you. Our expert can provide you with canning resources that will help you through the process.
Advice on cow-calf operations
Our beef systems expert can connect you with valuable resources on topics such as winterizing your herd, rations, pasture rental and more.
Help youth find their spark in 4-H
Want to learn more about 4-H and how the program empowers youth? Reach out to us and we'll be happy to assist you.
And Much More!
We are always here to help, and we welcome you to stop by or give us a call. We take pride in providing Buffalo County communities with resources to live fulfilled, prosperous and healthy lives.
