Local Interest
Enjoying your tomatoes after the growing season
By Katie Markheim, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener
Harvest time is here for gardeners, especially those with tomatoes. Here are some challenges you may find in your garden with tomatoes.
Blossom end rot is a very common problem on green and ripe tomatoes caused by a calcium deficiency. It first appears as a sunken, brownish black spot 1⁄2 to 1 inch in diameter on the blossom end of the fruit. It occurs in rapidly developing fruit during periods of hot, dry weather. To prevent, maintain a steady rate of plant growth without stress. This includes watering consistently, mulching to conserve soil moisture, monitoring nitrogen fertilizer applications, properly staking plants, and sanitizing pruning equipment after each use. If blossom end rot occurs, remove the affected fruit.
Two types of cracks may develop on tomato fruit. Radial growth cracks radiate from the stem and concentric cracks encircle the fruit, usually on the shoulders. Cracking is associated with rapid fruit development and wide fluctuations in water availability to the plant. Fruit that has reached the ripening stage during dry weather may show considerable cracking if the dry period is followed by heavy rains and high temperatures. Tomato varieties differ considerably in the amount and severity of cracking under climatic conditions. Mulching and avoiding heavy applications of nitrogen fertilizer should help reduce fruit cracking.
When harvesting, harvest fully ripe tomatoes to get the best flavor and color. Pink tomatoes may be harvested and allowed to ripen indoors at room temperature (65 to 70 degrees). Ripe tomatoes should be stored at room temperature to retain their best flavor. Fully ripe tomatoes may be refrigerated for several weeks, although storage temperatures below 50 degrees will cause flavor loss. Green tomatoes should be picked in the fall just before frost or a light freeze. Refrigeration is not recommended for green tomatoes. Instead, leave at room temperature to promote ripening and flavor development unless used for pickling in their ‘green’ condition.
When frost is imminent, mature green tomatoes can be harvested and ripened indoors. The fruit should be solid, firm, free of defects, full-sized, and have a greenish white skin color. Remove the stems, then clean and dry the fruit. Individually wrap each fruit in a piece of newspaper and place in single layers in boxes or shelves. Store the tomatoes in a dark, cool (55-60°F) location, such as a basement or cellar. Inspect the tomatoes periodically during storage. Discard any soft or decaying fruit. When the tomatoes begin to color, remove the newspaper, and place them at room temperature. To ripen tomatoes quickly, put them in a brown paper bag with or without an apple. As apples and tomatoes ripen, they give off ethylene gas. Ethylene speeds up the fruit ripening process when confined in a closed bag.
Terminating a Verbal Farm Land Lease
By Jessica Groskopf, Nebraska Extension Ag Economist | Dave Aiken, UNL Ag Economist
Some farm leases are not written but are verbal or "handshake" agreements. Because nothing is in writing, the parties may have different recollections of their agreement, making lease disputes more difficult to resolve. The most common legal issue associated with verbal farm leases is how a lease may legally be terminated. For verbal leases in Nebraska, six months advance notice must be given to legally terminate the lease. In contrast, the termination of a written lease is determined by the terms of the written lease. If the lease does not address termination, the lease automatically terminates on the last day of the lease.
Terminating verbal leases
For verbal leases, the Nebraska Supreme Court has ruled that the lease year begins March 1. Notice to a tenant to vacate under a verbal or handshake lease (legally referred to as a "notice to quit") must be given six months in advance of the end of the lease, or no later than September 1. This rule applies regardless of the type of crop planted. Those with winter wheat should consider providing notice before it is time to prepare wheat ground for planting.
For example, for the lease year beginning March 1, 2026, and ending Feb. 28, 2027, notice from the landlord that the lease will be terminated would have to be received by the tenant no later than Sept. 1, 2025. The lease would then expire Feb. 28, 2026, with the new tenant (or new buyer) able to take over the lease March 1, 2026. If, however, the notice to quit were given (or received) after Sept. 1, 2025, the existing tenant would have the lease until Feb. 28, 2027.
Notice should be provided to the tenant for either lease termination or changing lease provisions. A verbal termination notice might be adequate but could be difficult to prove in court if litigation were necessary to enforce the lease termination. It is recommended that the farmland lease be terminated by Registered Mail™. This means that the person receiving the letter signs for it, providing evidence that the termination notice was received. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln does not provide sample lease termination letters. If you need guidance, consult your attorney.
Pasture Lease Terminations
Handshake or verbal leases are different for pastures. The typical pasture lease is for the five-month grazing season rather than the entire year. The lease is only in effect for that time, so the lease is terminated at the end of the grazing season; however, different lease length arrangements can be made in a written lease, and that would be followed if in effect.
Importance of Good Communication Regardless of the type of lease - written, verbal, or even multiple year - the landlord should have clear communication with the tenant. By sending a termination notice before September 1, even for written leases, you can avoid any miscommunication or pitfalls.
Written Leases
In all instances, written leases would be preferred over oral or “handshake” leases. Sample leases are available in the Document Library at aglease101.org and can help both parties start thinking about the appropriate lease conditions for their situation before they consult an attorney to draft a lease or review a proposed lease. The Ag Lease 101 site was developed by university extension specialists in the North Central Region but is not a substitute for personal legal advice.
Nebraska Extension early childhood educator passionate about building strong families
By Chabella Guzman, PREEC Communications
Many Nebraska Extension educators are called to their positions. Jackie Guzman is no exception. She is the Nebraska Extension early childhood educator and lead educator in the Nebraska Extension Engagement Zone 1, located at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff.
“It is a purpose, a calling for me. This is where we need to start with parents and children to build a solid foundation, where the children are ready to learn and more apt to graduate,” she said.
A graduate of UNL with a Bachelor’s in elementary education and a Master of Education from Lesley College. Guzman began her career in education at the Scottsbluff Public Schools, where she taught elementary education for 17 years. She has been with the Nebraska Extension for 20 years, initially working in positive youth development before transitioning into an early childhood educator.
“They (University of Nebraska) wanted us to specialize more, the early childhood team, Learning Child Interest Group, asked me to join because of my elementary education background,” she said. The pivotal work developed by the Nebraska Extension involves families, with an emphasis on children from birth to three years, as well as programs for children up to eight years old. “I work with home providers, centers, preschools, and public schools, providing professional development for anyone who works with young children.”
Among the programs Guzman provides to professionals is the CHIME (Cultivating Healthy Intentional Mindful Educators) program. It is an eight-week program that focuses on the person working with young children, providing them with the skills to work effectively with children by first helping themselves through mindfulness.
“It (CHIME) has different areas, including mindful breathing, mindful meditation, mindful listening, and mindful speaking. They (professionals) receive activities for themselves and the children in the classroom.” The participant keeps a journal and comes back to the class to share. The lessons help professionals develop techniques to manage stress. Then they can set children on a path that enables them to positively engage with others. When a child can label and understand their emotions, they are able to self-regulate and are then ready to learn.
Guzman has developed and implemented programs for non-traditional audiences while incorporating traditional 4-H curriculum and methodologies for youth. One such program is embryology, which includes Extension 4-H educators. “I provide incubators, and the farmers provide eggs. There is a curriculum with activities for elementary school children and early childhood/preschool programs,” she said.
To learn more about these programs or others available to you, contact Jackie Guzman at 308-632-1480 or by email at jguzman2@unl.edu.
Back to School, Back to Routine: 5 Simple Ways to Prioritize Nutrition This School Year
As students sharpen pencils and dust off backpacks, families across the region are adjusting to the hustle and bustle that comes with the return to school. Between busy mornings, homework, and extracurricular activities, planning nutritious meals often gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. But with a bit of preparation, it’s possible to bring healthy, balanced meals back to the table - without the added stress.
Here are five helpful strategies from Nebraska Extension to help your family fall into a healthy, sustainable routine this school year:
1. Plan Ahead
Before the week begins, review your family calendar and note any busy evenings or events. Use this time to plan a weekly menu, taking stock of what foods you already have on hand. Having staples like whole grains, canned beans, and frozen vegetables makes planning easier and reduces the need for frequent shopping trips.
2. Prep the Night Before
Tight turnaround between school pickup and sports practice? Try prepping meals the night before. Sandwiches or wraps made with whole grains, lean proteins, and colorful veggies can be packed with fruit, veggies, and snacks for an easy meal on the go. Even if it’s dinner in the car, it's still family time!
3. Cook in Batches and Freeze
Use the weekend to get ahead. Prepare a few freezer-friendly meals, such as soups, enchiladas, or casseroles. That way, on a hectic weekday, dinner just needs to be heated and served. Find tips for freezing meals safely and effectively at https://food.unl.edu/article/freezing-cooked-food-future-meals-freezer-bag-tips/.
4. Keep Meals Simple
Healthy doesn’t mean complicated. Many kids prefer simple meals. Try mix-and-match dinners like hard-boiled eggs, cheese sticks, baby carrots, fruit, and whole-grain crackers. It’s quick, kid-friendly, and checks off all five food groups.
5. Get Kids Involved
Children are more likely to enjoy healthy meals when they help plan and prepare them. Let kids brainstorm ideas for meals and snacks and give them age-appropriate tasks during grocery shopping. Whether they’re choosing the vegetables or adding ingredients to the cart, their involvement can lead to healthier choices and fewer mealtime battles.
For more meal planning ideas, recipes, and back-to-school nutrition tips, visit Nebraska Extension’s Recipe Central at food.unl.edu.
Source: Nebraska Extension food.unl.edu, original article content Carrie Miller - Extension Educator
