The holidays are often a time filled with joy as many reunite with family or friends not seen on a regular basis. Holiday gatherings are time to share special traditions such as favorite recipes, playing games, watching movies or just “catching up”. This year might be particularly special since families may have been unable to gather last year due to COVID-19. Holiday gatherings help children, youth, and adults create social connection whether meeting face to face or virtually. Intentionally building connections can make gatherings with family or friends more impactful.
Local Interest
Tammie Ostdiek, Extension Educator - Food, Nutrition and Health
Healthy eating is important throughout the year, but the holidays create unique challenges.
The holidays can be notorious for rich foods and overeating. But with a commitment to stick to nutrition goals, New Year’s resolutions can focus on something other than weight loss.
Here are a few sensible tips for maintaining healthy practices through the holiday season.
Plan meals using MyPlate guidelines from USDA. Fill half the plate with colorful vegetables and fruits, one-fourth with protein, and one-fourth with grain. Choose whole grain whenever possible. Add low fat dairy options.
Gary Stone – Water & Integrated Cropping Systems Extension Educator; Jessica Groskopf – Extension Educator for Agricultural Economics; John Thomas - Water & Integrated Cropping Systems Extension Educator; Xin Qiao – Irrigation & Water Management Specialist; David Ostdiek – Communications Specialist, Panhandle REC
In the months following the collapse of Tunnel No. 2 on the Goshen / Gering-Fort Laramie main canal in July 2019, temporary repairs were made to Tunnels No 1 and 2. Steel ribs were installed inside the tunnels to support the concrete tunnel walls.
Dipak Santra, Alternative Crops Breeding Specialist
Dave Ostdiek, Communication/Technology Associate
UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center
Can winter field peas, planted in September and harvested the middle of the following summer (like winter wheat), work as part of the dryland cropping rotations in the Nebraska Panhandle? The question is being studied by the alternative crops breeding program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research and Extension Center at Scottsbluff.
Information you need on canning, freezing, and drying can now be found in a new newsletter! A link will be sent to your e-mail when a new issue comes out. Sign up at https://food.unl.edu/food-preservation-newsletter.
Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension Water & Integrated Cropping Systems Educator
This season’s dry edible bean harvest is underway in the tri-state region of the Nebraska Panhandle, southwest Nebraska, eastern Wyoming, and northeastern Colorado. The overall crop in the region looks very good, despite severe weather and some hail earlier in the year across the growing region. Average yield is expected to be around 2,400 pounds per acre or approximately 40 bushels per acre.
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4-H Speech Contest announces Grand and Reserve results
June 4, 2023
Fifteen 4-H youth gathered for the Scotts Bluff County Speech Contest on June 1, at the UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff.
Tractor safety course teaches students safety and when to say no
June 4, 2023
Nebraska Extension and Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health, held an annual “tractor safety” training course on June 1 at the Legacy of the Plains Museum in Gering.
Older Tractors Still a Danger in Agriculture
June 1, 2023
Recently a small utility tractor rollover fatality in Southeast Nebraska is a wake-up call to the dangers involved in operating older tractors, without rollover protection.
Wheat variety trial field tours across Nebraska in June
May 25, 2023
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Crop Performance Testing program will sponsor wheat variety trial field tours in six locations across Nebraska, from Perkins to Banner County, starting June 12 - 15.