University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Merrick County delivers research-based education and information to citizens throughout the county. These educational programs, delivered via a variety of methods, are offered through a federal, state and county partnership arrangement. Our objective is to provide programs and other educational resources locally.

Our staff of extension educator and extension specialists, technicians, and support personnel specializes is providing programs throughout the county, and together with staff from all of Nebraska's 93 counties, we contribute to more than 1.5 million educational contacts each year with Nebraska citizens. Our 4-H Youth Development Program, for example, reaches more than 400 youth in Merrick County alone. Statewide, 4-H touches the lives of more than 90,000 youth each year.

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension is built to provide practical education that focuses on issues which influence daily life that helps to keep Nebraska competitive in a global society. Extension Specialists and Extension Educators are committed to a theme of excellence with educational programs customized to meet the needs of Nebraskans.

Merrick County Extension OfficeCourthouse Picture
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 Soll
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

Sherry Siwinski
Office Assistant

Phone: (308) 946-3843
Email: sherry.siwinski@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                  308-940-1013     teamropr_81@msn.com

Isaac Jefferson, Vice President   308-940-1597     isaac.jefferson.2@gmail.com

Troy Wells, Secretary                     308-940-0333     merrickcountyfair@qwestoffice.net

Brad Wells, Treasurer                     308-940-0028     sandhills1880@aim.com

Dale Nielson Jr.                                 308-986-2595     dsnielson@gpcom.net

Aaron Huston                                    308-940-2691     ahuston51@hotmail.com

Eric Frauen                                         308-380-8052     edf1983@hotmail.com

Josh Trumblee                                   402-322-1845     jtrumblee87@gmail.com

Jake Etherton                                    308-750-7904     etherton0917@gmail.com

Kelly Brandes                                     402-440-0369     krbrandes@yahoo.com

Matt Myers                                        308-940-0335     myerscattle@live.com

Jess Brandes                                      308-940-0208     rugbycwby@gmail.com

Ryan Grigsby                                      308-940-2541     ryangrigsby@hotmail.com

Tim Williams                                       308-850-6291     tim8763@hotmail.com

Mikaela Stuart                                   402-710-8373     mikaelaw95@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.

Lori Cave, President                                        308-548-8598                 locave62@gmail.com

Kerry Stuhmer, Vice President                   308-940-1918                    kerjan21@gmail.com

Nicole Greving, Secretary/Treasurer        308-940-0992                    ngreving@hotmail.com

Cheyenne Rowe, Member                            402-215-3028                    cheynrowe@gmail.com

Karen Benner, Member                                 308-946-5185                    kkbenner@gmail.com

Nathan Carlson, Member                             308-940-1573                    localedgefarm@gmail.com

Heath Reimers, 4-H Council Rep.               308-940-0269                  heathwlc@hotmail.com

Carolyn Kucera, Supervisor Liason

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                  308-940-0269     heathwlc@hotmail.com

Justin Ferris, Vice President             308-940-0940     jwferris199@gmail.com

Shanien Schmierer, Secretary           308-940-1781     msschmierer@msn.com or schmierer4@gmail.com

Matt Mottl, Treasurer                         308-379-7724     mattm@hamilton.net

Ryan Kucera, East Rep                       402-322-9137     ryankucera1987@gmail.com

Chase Samuelson, West Rep             308-380-1786     chasedsamuelson@gmail.com

Mike Siwinski, Central Rep               308-946-4701     mjs@hamilton.net

Jess Brandes, At-Large Rep              308-940-0208     rugbycwby@gmail.com

Kayden Tyan, Jr. Leader East Rep

Makenna Mottl, Jr Leader West Rep

Londyn Fisher, Jr. Leader Central Rep

Lane Mottl, Jr. Leader At Large Rep