About Us | Nebraska Extension in Merrick County | Nebraska Extension

Nebraska Extension in Merrick County provides the Merrick County community with research-based information and educational programs from the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

With offices serving 93 counties across the state, Nebraska Extension is able to provide locally focused educational programs and expertise in the areas of agriculture, natural resources, nutrition, healthcare and technology.

Our county office can connect you with regional Nebraska Extension educators who can help answer your questions about gardening, 4‑H programs, pesticide application and more. We offer a wide variety of classes, workshops and trainings throughout the year for youth, families, farmers, ranchers and businesses within the community.

Merrick County Extension Office
1784 Fairgrounds Road
Central City, NE 68826-0027
Phone: (308) 946-3843
E-mail: merrick-county@unl.edu

Map to our office

MEET THE MERRICK COUNTY STAFF

Steve Melvin - Ag Educator, Water and Cropping Systems

Phone: (308) 946 - 3843

Email: steve.melvin@unl.edu

Emily Cumming - 4‑H Educator, 4‑H Youth Development

Phone: (308) 946 - 3843

Email: esoll2@unl.edu

Kara Wells - 4‑H Extension Assistant - 4‑H Youth Development

Phone: (308) 946 - 3843

Email: kwells5@unl.edu

Cindie Hostler - Office Manager

Phone: (308) 946 - 3843

Email: cindie.hostler@unl.edu

Jade Arnsmeier - Office Assistant

Phone: (308) 946 - 3843

Email: jarnsmeier2@unl.edu

Merrick County Agricultural Society

The Merrick County Agricultural Society meets once a month and consists of fifteen members from across the county. The Extension Educator sits in on meetings as an advisor and liason between 4‑H and the ag society. They provide the activities and entertainment at the fair and oversee the upkeep and rental of the fairgrounds.

Russ Kucera - President

Phone: (308) 940 - 1013

Email: teamropr_81@msn.com

Isaac Jefferson - Vice President

Phone: (308) 940 - 1597

Email: isaac.jefferson.2@gmail.com

Troy Wells - Secretary

Phone: (308) 940 - 0333

Email: merrickcountyfair@gmail.com

Brad Wells - Treasurer

Phone: (308) 940 - 0028

Email: sandhills1880@aim.com

Dale Nielson Jr.

Phone: (308) 390 - 7120

Email: dsnielson@gpcom.net

Aaron Huston

Phone: (308) 940 - 2691

Email: ahuston51@hotmail.com

Eric Frauen

Phone: (308) 380 - 8052

Email: edf1983@hotmail.com

Jake Etherton

Phone: (308) 750 - 7904

Email: etherton0917@gmail.com

Kelly Brandes

Phone: (402) 440 - 0369

Email: krbrandes@yahoo.com

Jess Brandes

Phone: (308) 940 - 0208

Email: rugbycwby@gmail.com

Tim Williams

Phone: (308) 850 - 6291

Email: tim8763@hotmail.com

Mikaela Stuart

Phone: (402) 710 - 8373

Email: mikaelaw95@gmail.com

Dusty Van Winkle

Phone: (402) 276 - 6734

Email: dustyvanwinkle@rocketmail.com

Michael Zmek

Phone: (308) 550 - 1136

Email: bluerockoutfitters@gmail.com

Ryan Kucera

Phone: (308) 390 - 7120

Email: ryankucera1987@gmail.com

Merrick County Extension Board

The Merrick County Cooperative Extension Board, the governing body of the County Cooperative Extension, is made up of eight (8) members plus the chair of the 4‑H Leaders Council. Term of office is for three years beginning with the January meeting for the appointed members. The chair of the 4‑H Council serves as an Extension Board member as long as he/she is chair of the 4‑H Council. The budgeting authority is the Board of Supervisors, with Extension Board members appointed by the Board of Supervisors.

Courtney Root - President

Phone: (308) 940 - 0570

Email: bcroot1027@gmail.com

Lindsey Nelson - Vice President\

Phone: (308) 379 - 0907

Email: lnelson@centralcityps.org

Ashley Hake - Secretary/Treasurer

Phone: (308) 379 - 6022

Email: ahake@cdhd.ne.gov

Paul Jarecke - 4‑H Building committee

Phone: (308) 548 - 8382

Email: paul.jarecke@gmail.com

Karen Benner - Member

Phone: (308) 946 - 5185

Email: kkbenner@gmail.com

Wes Beck - Jr. Member

Phone: (308) 548 - 8203

Email: hillside@clarks.net

Heath Reimers - 4‑H Council Rep.

Phone: (308) 940 - 0269

Email: heathwlc@hotmail.com

Carolyn Kucera - Supervisor Liaison

Phone: (308) 940 - 0879

Email: teamropr_81@msn.com

Merrick County 4‑H Council

The 4‑H section of the Merrick County Cooperative Extension program is planned by the assistance given to the Extension Educators by the 4‑H Leaders Council. All 4‑H Leaders and Jr. Leaders are members of the Council and Executive committee officers are elected as the governing body.

Heath Reimers - President

Jen Myers - Vice President

Phone: (402) 690 - 5481

Email: doublejvb@hotmail.com

Justin Ferris - Secretary

Phone: (308) 940 - 0940

Email: jwferris199@gmail.com

Ryan Kucera - Treasurer

Steph Nelson - Central Representative

Phone: (308) 940 - 2098

Email: snelson8795@gmail.com

Matt Mottl - At-Large Representative