Nebraska Extension Scotts Bluff County

Local Interest

Lego competition project brings first sewing lab to Nebraska

By Chabella Guzman, PREEC Communications Specialist

Nebraska’s only Sewing Lab opened to the public on Jan. 22 at the UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center, PREEC, in Scottsbluff. The lab is the 4-H Lego Club Panhandle Cookie Bytes, Innovation Project, which is a part of the Nebraska FIRST LEGO® League Competition.

“This year, First Lego League's goal was to promote the arts through STEM,” said Natalie Creech, Scottsbluff 4-H leader. So, the kids chose to do sewing. We evaluated their hobbies and made spidergraphs (like treegraphs) to weigh out the options, and sewing came out on top.” Then, the club realized they could best serve the community by creating a sewing lab. 

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Army Cutworm Scouting Urged in Western Nebraska Wheat and Alfalfa

With the recent warm weather in Western Nebraska, army cutworms have been spotted in southern Sioux County and central Lincoln County. With spring approaching, this pest may be seen in Nebraska crop fields in the near future. It is an important time to scout for army cutworm, particularly in winter wheat and alfalfa.

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PREEC Student Scholarship Accepting Applicants Through April 15

The University of Nebraska – Lincoln Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center will again offer the “Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center Student Scholarship.” Two scholarships of $1000 each will be awarded. The application period will be open from March 1 to April 15, 2024. 

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Scotts Bluff County Council of Homemaker Club 2024 Scholarship

The Scotts Bluff County Council of Homemaker Club is offering two $500.00 scholarships to any Scotts Bluff County resident enrolled in agricultural, human resources, nursing, business and family sciences curriculum. Applicants can be graduating high school seniors or college students planning to attend college in 2024. The scholarship is paid to the school after completion of the 2024 fall semester. The student must maintain a C average or the scholarship will be forfeited.
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Chasing the Elusive Second Calf

By Karla Wilke, Nebraska Extension cow-calf and Stocker management specialist, and Kacie McCarthy, cow-calf specialist

Getting first-time mother cows bred for the second time is probably one of the strongest challenges for most beef producers. It can be extremely frustrating at the time of pregnancy diagnosis to find a high percentage of those young cows, the future of the cowherd, to be open. More importantly, it is expensive.

In addition to the loss of income from the potential calf crop, is the depreciation of the cow. If a bred heifer is developed or purchased for a value of $2800 and is sold as a slaughter cow after one calf for $1350 (current market value in Nebraska), then the depreciation cost of that cow is $1450. That is a substantial loss.

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Nebraska Extension to host drone class in Scottsbluff

By Chabella Guzman, UNL PREEC communications

The Nebraska Extension will host an in-person Part 107 Remote Pilot Knowledge Test for drones on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at the Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff. 

“Many farmers don’t know they need a license to use drones to evaluate or take pictures of something to be sold, such as cattle or crops,” said Dirk Charlson, Nebraska Extension, educator of digital agriculture. “With heightened interest in spraying drones, which are practical for spraying chemicals, it's bringing new people to the world of drones.”

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Extension program connects Nebraskans with fresh produce

Extension program connects Nebraskans with fresh produce

August 14, 2024
The Growing Together Nebraska project is establishing community gardens in communities statewide. In 2023, the program delivered fresh produce to nearly 20,000 Nebraskans through 51 food pantries and emergency food distribution sites in 13 counties.

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Necessary Steps to take for Owners of Private Drinking Water Wells Impacted by Flooding

Necessary Steps to take for Owners of Private Drinking Water Wells Impacted by Flooding

August 2, 2024
Floodwater from the recent heavy rains, runoff, and even snowmelt may potentially carry multiple pollutants with it.

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Summer camp brings cattle, history, and STEM to campers

Summer camp brings cattle, history, and STEM to campers

August 2, 2024
A metal fence separated a few boys from a bunch of cattle as they looked at each other. Nodding their heads, the boys agreed it would be nice to take one of the cattle back home with them. The boys were part of the Summer Youth Empowerment Camp, which brought more than 30 children to visit the UNL Panhandle Feedlot and the UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff on July 24.

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North Platte native donates tree to Tree Lane Road

North Platte native donates tree to Tree Lane Road

July 12, 2024
When visiting North Platte, the Golden Spike Tower or the Buffalo Bill State Historic Park might be at the top of the list. Karlie Gerlach | WCREEC Communications Specialist

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