Merrick County Youth & Agriculture Education Center
Family Membership (please return to the Merrick County Extension Office)
If you need assistance, there is internet and a computer available at the Extension Office located in the new building. Or call 308-946-3843.
Facts to Know........
Over $100,000 was donated in-kind including the general contractor and many sub-contractors
$110,000 was paid for architect and engineering professional services
High Speed wi-fi access is run to the building on behalf of UNL/Nebraska Extension and Eagle Communications. A password can be requested for events so your guests can stay connected.
All building reservations are booked on-line. Each request is time-stamped so we know who was first if dual requests come in.
There is an on-line calendar to check out who is using which rooms when. If the word "pending" is in front of the name,this means we are awaiting a contract, or for the Exceptions Committee to hear the request.
The Office Suite includes a reception area where the extension office is located, and two extension educator offices, along with a storage and prep room that will double as an intern office in the summer. The fairboard office is also located in this area.The corner windows are sliders allowing for ticket sales throughout the county fair. The Extension Staff take care of contracts and deposits for the building,as well as the keypad entry for renters and users.
The Conference and classroom seats over 60 comfortably theater style and 45 people at tables. There will be a cart of tables and chairs dedicated to this room. The room currently rents for $100/day, and $30 for each additional continuous day. Our additional needs for this room is a permanent audio-visual system,and cart for the table/chair configuration.This has been the favorite room for 4-H Clubs to meet in, so we have added a cabinet for their needs in here, to hold the 4-H flags, gavels,and other equipment they often request from the Extension Office.
The Kitchen is set up as a teaching kitchen.The Union Pacific Foundation granted $25,000 to equip this area.That is why you have an electric and gas stove,so youth can learn how to cook and bake on both. During the county fair, the electric range will be moved out from underneath the hood, and a fryer will take its' place. The sinks and counters are configured to have 8 groups of 2 youth (or adults) learning at one time. Every outlet is on its own circuit to allow for roasters all around the kitchen to assist those who cater out of here. The kitchen has to be requested when asking to use a room, it does not automatically come with another room. Each major room has a serving window available.
The Indoor Arena is 250' x 150' wall to wall. It is heated with radiant heat. A "crow's nest" will be above the vestibule. There are two bathrooms available for the arena user. This rents for $500/day with $250 for additional continuous days. The livestock and horse show along with the sale will be in here during the county fair.There is a 17' tall mural x 40' wide going on the south wall in between the conduit. Our 4-H horse leader Sherry Siwinski is the artist who rendered the drawing,and is in the process of painting it. It uses all soybean based paint compliments of the Nebraska Soybean Board. A family can buy a yearly family membership to use the arena for $450 when it is not rented or in use by 4-H Clubs.
The Education Room is the largest gathering room. It is approximately 70' wide and 120' long including the closets on the end. There will be seating for 350 available in the tables/chairs closet. The room can easily seat 500 though, and still have some room for a dance floor or display tables. Currently, this is used a few nights a week by the 4-H shooting sports program shooting archery, air rifle, air pistol and bb gun in here. The program has its own secure closet for their equipment storage, and the protective coverings the 4-H leaders put up for the walls. This room rents for $500, and $50 each additional day.