Box Butte County Extension Board
Meeting Minutes
September 8, 2026
Roll Call -Present:
Tory McVicker, Steve Benzel, & Denise Koozer.
John Thomas, Ag Extension Educator, Melissa Mracek, 4-H Extension Educator
Absent: Callan Ackerman, Marie Rine, & Brett Ditsch, County Commissioner.
Steve Benzel called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. It was moved by Tory to accept the agenda and seconded by Denise. The motion passed unanimously with all ayes from Tory, Steve and Denise. Denise made a motion to accept the consent agenda that was seconded by Steve. The motion passed unanimously with ayes from Troy, Steve, and Denise.
John showed an Extension Video on 4-H.
John’s Monthly Report:
John Thomas continued his Crops and Water Extension work during July and August by monitoring On-Farm Research studies, participating in research planning, and collecting Western Bean Cutworm moth samples. He also presented a webinar on dry edible beans and the On-Farm Research Network.
In Water programming, John submitted weekly USDA crop and water condition reports and continued reporting precipitation through CoCoRaHS.
John addressed several urban horticulture and pest questions, including tree stress caused by drought, a beehive near a school, and city policies regarding chickens. He also participated in monthly Extension team meetings and calls.
During the summer, John judged Horticulture projects at the Box Butte, Sheridan, and Sioux County Fairs, open-class horticulture projects at the Sheridan and Sioux County Fairs, and Entomology at the Nebraska State Fair. He also identified a Brown Recluse spider near Bridgeport, the first he has identified in the region.
Melissa's Report:
Melissa assisted with planning and conducting four county fairs and helped coordinate Nebraska State Fair activities. Box Butte County saw a 56-entry increase, while Sheridan County had a decrease of 33 entries. At the Nebraska State Fair, she assisted with judging and displaying more than 600 Home Design exhibits, including 64 from Box Butte County and 35 from Sheridan County. many more top honors were awarded to the Northern Panhandle 4-H members participating at the State Fair.
She also helped coordinate the Nebraska State Fair 4-H Sheep Show. Several Box Butte County 4-H members received top awards. Ainslee Woltman won Reserve White Face Influence, Anthony Haas won 3rd Overall Market Swine, Carson Swine won Champion Yorkshire Market Swine, Kyle Shaw won Champion Hereford Heifer, and Katrina Karell won Champion Senior Poultry Showman. Many more top honors were awarded to Northern Panhandle 4-H members participating at the State Fair.
The North Panhandle 4-H Meat Judging Team qualified for the National 4-H Meat Evaluation & Identification Contest, which will be held October 20, 2026, in Manhattan, Kansas, in conjunction with the American Royal.
Regional 4-H staff are beginning to plan fall programming, including Agsplosion Field Days for second graders, school enrichment programs, and robotics opportunities in Alliance, Chadron, Crawford, Hay Springs, Gordon, and Rushville.
The 4-H Robotics Club continues to support the community by keeping the Little Food Pantry in front of the Senior Center stocked with non-perishable food items each week.
Upcoming programs include Panhandle Public Health Day on September 24 in Alliance for third graders, focusing on the effects of vaping and smoking, and the Box Butte County Agsplosion Field Day on October 6 at the Box Butte County Fairgrounds, where second graders will learn about Nebraska agriculture and commodities.
Communications
No communication was received.
Old Business:
- The County Commissioners held budget hearings, and a new county budget has been set. The Board is waiting on the finalized budget from the County Commissioners. There was no other old business.
New Business:
- Steve made a motion to pre-approve the October bills, and Tory seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, with all ayes from Tory, Steve, and Denise.
- John will be at the On-Farm Research booth at Husker Harvest Days September 15–16, 2026.
The next meeting will be held November 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Tory McVicker,
Board Secretary