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Colfax County Upcoming Dates
Get to Know Your Colfax County Extension Team
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The BIG 3
2026 Nebraska Tractor & Equimpent Safety Course.
Federal law prohibits youth under 16 years of age from using certain equipment on a farm unless their parents or legal guardians own the farm. However, certification received through National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program (NSTMOP) grants an exemption to the law allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive a tractor and to do field work with certain mechanized equipment.
For more information and to register, please visit https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/cscash/outreach/farm-safety-days.html
Our 4‑H Summer Workshops Are Here!
We are so excited to spend the summer learning, creating, and having fun with our 4‑H members!
Our summer workshops are a great opportunity to try new things, build skills, and connect with friends along the way.
2026 Wheat Stem Maggot Detection and Risk to Cover Crop-to-Corn Systems
Wheat stem maggot (WSM) damage has been sporadically reported in corn fields that were green planted into wheat or rye cover crops in eastern Nebraska since 2005. This pest causes early-season injury in corn when WSM larvae move from infested, dying cover crops into adjacent corn plants, entering near the first node and tunneling into the cornstalk.
Headlines
Spring Is Here: Are You Ready to Fly Your Drone Legally?
Spring has arrived and drones are back in the sky. Before you launch, it’s important to make sure you’re operating within the law.
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), or drones, have become increasingly common in recent years. What many people don’t realize is that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) classifies drones as aircraft regardless of size. Because of this, flying a drone outdoors comes with specific rules, which vary based on the drone’s weight and how it is used.
Pasture and Forage Minute: First Alfalfa Cutting, Selecting Summer Annual Forages, Hay Equipment Maintenance
As spring temperatures rise across Nebraska, now’s the time to plan your first alfalfa cutting. Getting that first cut right is more important than many realize. It sets the pace for the entire season.
Recruiting the Next Nebraska LEAD Cohort
Every generation needs people who are willing to step forward—who see the bigger picture, who care deeply about their communities and who believe that agriculture is more than a livelihood. It’s a calling.
The Nebraska LEAD Program exists to prepare those people—people like you.
Nebraska and U.S. Farm Income Update and Outlook - Spring 2026
This webinar will review the latest Nebraska farm income projections and the factors shaping the outlook for 2026 and 2027. Discussion will include crop and livestock receipts, government payments, production expenses, projected changes in net farm income and key sources of uncertainty in the year ahead. Presenters will also provide an update on U.S. farm income projections and compare national trends with Nebraska’s outlook.
To register: https://unl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_B88ozl8ESfSCD_KExq-fjg#/registration
Welcome to Nebraska Extension in Colfax County!
Local Interest
2026 Colfax County Extension Board Meetings
The Colfax County Extension Board will be meeting on March 16th at 7 pm at the Colfax County Extension Office in Schuyler. The meeting agenda is included below:
January 25 * March 16 * May 18 * June 15 * August 17 * November 16
Enrollment Resources for 4HOnline!
On-line enrollment is now open to enroll your 4-H'er for 2026! You can access 4HOnline 2.0 by visiting the following link: https://v2.4honline.com/#/user/sign-in. 4-H Leaders and Council members are required to enroll on-line too! Google Chrome and Firefox are the recommended web browsers to use when enrolling online. Enrollment fee is $10.00 per 4-H'er and no charge for Leaders or Council members. Card payment is at end of enrollment process.
NEW for 2026: A simplified project list within 4HOnline for 4-H members to choose from.
Local Resources
Colfax County 4-H Newsletter
View the April 2026 4-H Newsletter to learn more about what is going on with the Colfax County 4-H Program! Past newsletter articles can be viewed here.
Nebraska Extension Publications
Extension publications available by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
School Enrichment Registration
Register for a School Enrichment Program by completing and submitting this web form.
Nebraska Extension Engagement Zone 7 Newsletter
Upcoming Events
Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources News
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128 Canfield Administration Building
Lincoln, NE 68588-0437
(402) 472-3417
titleixcoordinator@unl.edu