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 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 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