Purpose of Extension
Nemaha County Extension Board Members
Election District #2: David Goertz (President)
Election District #3: Ryan Bohling (Vice President)
Election District #1: Kellie Kennedy
At Large: Deborah Solie (Secretary)
At Large: Liz Brueggemann
4-H Council President: Shana Marburger
Purpose of Extension
As the land-grant university in Nebraska, UNL serves Nebraskans through research, education, and Extension. Nebraska Extension works with the University system to identify individual and community needs, collaborate and learn from their research, and bring expertise in 8 program areas to all Nebraskans. We strive to connect with all the state's 93 counties. Nebraskans turn to Nebraska Extension to strengthen their families, inspire their communities, empower young people, conserve and protect natural resourses and advance their farms, ranches and buisnesses.
EXTENSION'S MISSION, VISION & VALUES
MISSION
Engaging with Nebraskans wherever they are, connecting them with the resources, research and innovation of the University of Nebraska.
VISION
To be the trusted educational resource for every Nebraskan, inspiring fulfilled, prosperous and healthy lives.
VALUES
- Uniquely local: We are where you are. We are the only team bringing the resources of the University of Nebraska to all 93 Nebraska counties, serving the distinct needs of Nebraskans from all walks of life in every corner of the state.
- Collaborative: We love working with our fellow Nebraskans. We convene stakeholders, leaders, and experts to co-create solutions that make a positive impact on complex issues facing Nebraskans.
- Relevant: If it's important to you, it's important to us. We leverage the fundamental strengths of Nebraskans and the University to create results that truly matter to lives and livelihoods.
- Accountable: We answer to the Nebraskans we serve. We return Nebraskans' investment in their University directly to their counties and communities, showing proof of performance through transparent reporting.
- Researched-based: You can count on us for unbiased information. We provide scientifically sound insight that helps Nebraskans make important decisions with even greater confidence.
- Inclusive: We're here to serve all Nebraskans. We honor and respect every person and every interaction and proactively foster a welcoming and inclusive culture in which accessible, meaningful learning experiences are available for everyone.
- Responsive: We're ready and where Nebraskans need us. We listen to what's on the minds of Nebraskans and assemble the right teams with the right expertise to address their challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
- Innovative: We're never satisfied with the status quo. We anticipate and embrace change and continually challenge ourselves and our stakeholders to take a "what if?" and "why not?" approach to problem-solving.
The Nemaha County Extension Board meets on the first Thursday of each month.
Meeting Agenda & Minutes
Meeting Agenda & Minutes
Quarter 1
- Agenda
- Roll Call
- Minutes of Previous Meetings
- Financial Report
- New Business
»Extension Board for 2026
»NACEB Legislative Day- February 10
»Extension Program Update
»4-H Program Update
- Adjourn – Next Meeting: February 5, 2026
- Minutes
Extension Board Minutes - January 15, 2026
The meeting was called to order at 5:03 p.m. by President Daryl Obermeyer. Roll call was taken. Daryl Obermeyer, Ryan Bohling, Dave Goertz, Liz Bruggemann, Leigh Wakulinski, Sheena Davison, and Ritika Lamichhane were present.
Minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed. Goertz made a motion to approve the minutes, and Bohling seconded.
The financial report was reviewed with no changes. No approval or denial necessary.
No old business to discuss.
New Business:
Extension Board for 2026 - Liz Bruggeman joins the board as the representative for District 2. District 1 representative remains vacant. Discussed prospects again. In order to comply with the bylaws, a motion needs to be made to extend Obermeyer's time on the board or to move forward with the vacancy.
Election of Officers is as follows: after a motion was made by Bohling, then seconded by Goertz:
President - Dave Goertz
Vice President - Ryan Bohling
Secretary - Deborah Solie
All in Favor - 5 yes, 0 nay
NACEB Legislative Day will be held on February 10, 2026. Obermeyer, Goertz, and Ritika plan to attend.
Ritika’s report:
- Soil Health Conference in Auburn on Feb 2, asked about potential vendors for the conference
- Southeast women in Ag program might have to cancel because of low registration numbers
- First pesticide training of 2026 coming up on Jan 30th in Falls City
- Have been busy with UNL end of year reporting
Sheena’s report -
-Continue with after-school programs at Auburn and JB twice a month.
-Marathon Kids is running again for the Auburn 4th & 5th grade, being led by the PE teacher.
-Teaching STEM at Homeschool Co-op twice a month.
-Once a month, lessons at one Auburn 3rd grade.
-Delivering one of the four 4-H new Foundation programs – Egg-streme Engineering at the end of the month in JB 4th grade.
-Starting Health Rocks – JB 6th grade next week.
-Starting Leadership Summit – All Auburn 5th-grade classes next week.
-Superintendent's meeting for fair schedule on Feb 3rd
-Crochet workshop this weekend.
-Beef weigh in at the end of the month.
-Air rifle and pistol season started last weekend.
Next meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Meeting adjourned at 5:46 p.m.
Quarter 2
- Agenda
- Roll Call
- Minutes of Previous Meetings
- Financial Report
- New Business
»Welcome, new board member – Kellie Kennedy
»NACEB Meeting Update
»Poultry Workshop in Spring
»Extension Program Update
»4-H Program Update
- Adjourn – Next Meeting: April 2, 2026
- Minutes
Extension Board Meeting – March 12, 2026
The meeting was called to order at 5:04 p.m. by President Dave Goertz. Roll call was taken. Dave Goertz, Ryan Bohling, Liz Bruggemann, Deborah Solie, and Kellie Kennedy were present. Nebraska Extension staff Sheena Davison and Ritika Lamichhane were also present.
The financial report was reviewed with no changes. It was noted that there was some income from a recent pesticide management training. Ryan Bohling moved to approve the financial report as read. Brueggemann seconded. No discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
The minutes were reviewed. Bohling moved to approve the minutes as read. Brueggemann seconded. No discussion. The motion passed unanimously.
New Business:
Welcomed new board member – Kellie Kennedy joined the board. Kennedy is a long-time resident and farmer. She served on the extension board previously.
NACEB – Ritika, Carlie, and Dave attended and visited with Bob H. (District 1 representative). He is interested in FFA and 4-H. He asked about the individuals who represented extension and the work they are doing.
Poultry Workshop in Spring – Held in the fall with fewer than 10 attendees. Discussed holding again in spring when people are thinking about poultry (chicks for sale at Tractor Supply). The workshop covers all related topics for beginning poultry owners and the new zoning requirements for the Auburn area. The book Chicks and Chickens is being shared with the local elementary as part of their poultry focus. The workshop is open to anyone in the county.
Extension Program Update – Hosted a program in St. Joseph with 40 attendees for Midwest row crop farmers, with the opportunity for CCA credits. Pesticide training was held in Auburn, Tecumseh, and Falls City, with 160 attendees across the three locations with $1500 in registrations. A soil health conference was held in Auburn with 65 attendees. Overall feedback on the soil health conference was positive, with the potential of increased focus on livestock and grazing. Next year it will be held in Auburn again. An on-farm research meeting was held in Nebraska City with lots of good discussion. The meeting will be held in Nebraska City again next year. It was discussed whether it would be helpful to invite FFA students to any of the events. Ritika shared that they are applying for funds to include FFA students in future on-farm research meetings.
4-H Program Update –
-Continue with after-school programs at Auburn and JB twice a month.
-Marathon Kids is running again for the Auburn 4th & 5th grade, being led by the PE teacher.
-Teaching STEM at Homeschool Co-op twice a month.
-Health Rocks – Substance abuse lessons with JB 6th-grade health class
-4 State Foundational Programs
-STEM - Extreme Engineering – Completed at Johnson Brock
-College & Career Readiness – Smart Cents – completed at Johnson Brock
-Ag & Food Systems – Hot House Detective – Completed at 1 Auburn class & Homeschool, 2 more lessons planned in Auburn
-Healthy Living – Be a Good Friend – Completed in Johnson & 1 Auburn class, 2 other classes are working on it now or soon
-Leadership Summit completed with all 3 Auburn Classes
-Planning a STEM afterschool camp in April in partnership with the Calvert PTO
-Had our beef weigh in - low numbers brought in
-Had our Air shooting contest with a high number of participants and 8 new shooters
-Fruit sales went well.
-Shotgun practices start on Sunday
-4 Nemaha County youth shot at the state indoor archery shoot in January. 2 were state Champions
-Got our fairbook printed
- Planning some workshops
The next meeting is scheduled for April 2, 2026 at 5 p.m. Kennedy moved to adjourn the meeting, Bohling seconded. The motion passed unanimously. President Goertz adjourned the meeting at 5:38 p.m.
Quarter 3
- Agenda
- Roll Call
- Minutes of Previous Meetings
- Financial Report
- New Business
»UNL Mental Health Care Flyers
»Poultry Workshop Updates
»Tree Workshop by Nicole Stoner – May 18
»Extension Program Update
»4-H Program Update
- Adjourn – Next Meeting: May 7, 2026
- Minutes
Quarter 4
- Agenda
- Minutes