College and career readiness have become a trending focus in many school systems, often starting exposure to college and career options in elementary school. While school systems are beginning this focus earlier and more often through their formal and informal opportunities with students, it’s also important for caretakers to understand the importance of introducing college and career readiness options to youth.
Local Interest
By Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension Water & Integrated Cropping Systems Educator, Panhandle Research, Extension & Education Center
Dry bean harvest in the Nebraska Panhandle and eastern Wyoming is taking longer than usual this season due to extended planting this spring by growers. Warm temperatures combined with more windy days this summer contributed to less pods setting on the plants resulting in lower-than-average yields. Hail was a factor for growers but was not widespread.
Children need family. Family time is important. Human beings have the right and responsibility to feel safe, comfortable, happy, and loved. Families, in all their remarkable diversity, are the basic foundation of all human cultures. Strong families are critical to the development of strong communities, and strong communities promote and nurture strong families.
So be intentional….. Spend time together making family memories, doing something together with a common goal. A positive emotional connection and sense of belonging with each other creates an emotional bond. When this emotional bond is present, the family can endure almost any hardship. Strong active families are where this all happens. Why not have some family time and be an ACTIVE Family!!!
By Anita Gall, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener
Pine Tree Needles
Have you noticed the needles changing color on your pine trees? Is it the inner needles only? Evergreens don’t keep their needles indefinitely but will typically drop the inner needles in September or October depending upon the year. Needle drop is a natural occurrence and is not harmful to the tree, in fact it is the way the tree feeds itself in the forest. As the needles decompose it creates a rich organic matter in the ground beneath the tree supplying it with nutrients.
Root Growth
By Debbie Kuenning, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Educator
Reducing food waste can help individuals save approximately $370 per year. The average American family of four may be able to save close to $1,500 annually by preventing food waste. The USDA and the Environmental Protection Agency have a goal to cut our nation’s food waste by 50% by the year 2030. Food waste can occur along any part of the food chain. Consumers contribute to food waste through preparing more food than needed and throwing away the extra.
Here are 14 tips to help keep food safe, edible, and out of the trash can:
Life is busy, especially for families. From late-night work meetings to school events and extracurriculars, families are on the go. This can often lead to rushed meals or meals on the go. With hectic schedules, it is important to plan relaxed family mealtimes into your schedule as often as possible. There are several benefits to relaxed family meals that include: the development of positive eating habits, creation of stronger parent-child bonds, and better school performance. The University of Nebraska’s EAT Family Style at Home website supports families with quick, easy, and fun ways to make mealtimes healthy, enjoyable, and less stressful for everyone.
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Annual forage options following irrigated winter wheat
July 25, 2024
The “Engaging Agriculture” articles are written weekly by and for Engagement Zone 1 Nebraska Extension Educators, who cover the 11 counties in the Panhandle.‘
New Format for Nebraska Soybean Management Field Days
July 24, 2024
The 2024 Soybean Management Field Days will take place August 13 to August 16. Hosted by the Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) and Nebraska Extension, the field days offer a unique opportunity for farmers to learn about soybean production, the new Soybean Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) contest, and to network with fellow growers.
SCAL field day set for Thursday, Aug. 8.
July 24, 2024
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s South Central Agricultural Laboratory (SCAL) field day is Thursday, Aug. 8.
Heat keeps rains away during wheat harvest
July 23, 2024
Amid the high temperatures in western Nebraska, wheat harvest has been going on.
“We’re right in the middle of wheat harvest,” said Cody Creech, Nebraska Extension dryland cropping specialist at the UNL High Plains Ag Lab in Sidney. “The rest of the state has wrapped up, and we’ll be completing harvest this week.”
Typical for most growers, weather has been a big factor in wheat yields. The yield reports in the Panhandle vary depending on whether the fields were hit by hail or not.