Local Interest

By Debbie Kuenning, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Educator 

Reducing food waste can help individuals save approximately $370 per year. The average American family of four may be able to save close to $1,500 annually by preventing food waste. The USDA and the Environmental Protection Agency have a goal to cut our nation’s food waste by 50% by the year 2030. Food waste can occur along any part of the food chain. Consumers contribute to food waste through preparing more food than needed and throwing away the extra.

Here are 14 tips to help keep food safe, edible, and out of the trash can:

Life is busy, especially for families. From late-night work meetings to school events and extracurriculars, families are on the go. This can often lead to rushed meals or meals on the go. With hectic schedules, it is important to plan relaxed family mealtimes into your schedule as often as possible. There are several benefits to relaxed family meals that include: the development of positive eating habits, creation of stronger parent-child bonds, and better school performance. The University of Nebraska’s EAT Family Style at Home website supports families with quick, easy, and fun ways to make mealtimes healthy, enjoyable, and less stressful for everyone.

By Kirstee Schutte, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener  

Nematodes

By Laurie Zitterkopf, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener

Conserve Water, Plant Native Plants

The water we put on our lawns is equal to thirty-two gallons of water every day for every man, woman and child in the country. Because this is more water than is replaced by rainfall in most areas of the country, watering our lawns is clearly an unsustainable practice. Why do we have lawns, our neighbor has one?  If we plant native plants, once established they need little to no additional water.

Starting a New Perennial Bed

Other Dams, Reservoirs & Power Plants – Nebraska & Wyoming

By Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension Water & Integrated Cropping Systems Educator

This will be a six-part series on the dams, reservoirs, power generation and some diversion dams located on the North Platte River. This last part will cover the remaining dams and power plants in Nebraska and Wyoming.

Built in the 1950s, the Dave Johnston power plant is located near Glenrock, Wyo. This coal-fired power plant uses North Platte River water for cooling. Combined energy produced from the four steam-powered generators is 922.2 megawatts. The power plant is operated by PacifiCorp and scheduled to be decommissioned in 2027.

By Emily Stine, Extension Educator & Panhandle Master Gardener Coordinator

What is the Nebraska Master Gardener Program?

The Nebraska Master Gardener Program provides science-based horticulture education to volunteers. Participants complete 40 hours of training in integrated pest management, weeds, insects, plant selection, soil fertility and other related topics. 40 hours of volunteer service in the first year completes the certification. For more information visit mastergardener.unl.edu.

What volunteering opportunities are there as a Master Gardener?

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2024 Nebraska Soil Health School has successful launch

May 9, 2024
The first installment of a planned 2024 Nebraska Soil Health School series was held on April 24 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln High Plains Ag Lab in Sidney, Neb. The event addressed the semi-arid Panhandle climate and potential management practices for soil health and had over 60 attendees.

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Building Bridges in Conservation: Nebraska hosts inaugural natural resources workshop

April 15, 2024
Overlooking the iconic Platte River, over 100 natural resource professionals and students met to build and foster new collaborations at the first Natural Resources Conservation Connecting Points Workshop.

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Engaging Agriculture: Embryology a classroom springtime favorite

April 1, 2024
Spring is here, and Nebraska elementary students are busy learning about embryology.

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Conference Focuses on Entrepreneurial Development in Nebraska Communities

March 29, 2024
Sidney is welcoming community development professionals from across the country for the 6th annual Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference May 1-2.

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