Nebraska Extension Scotts Bluff County

Local Interest

PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES: What’s the dirt on dirt? It’s OK for kids to get dirty

By Sarah Paulos, Nebraska Extension Educator

      “Don’t get dirty.”

      “Wash your hands!”

This has been the request of parents throughout the ages aimed at children coming in and out from outdoor play. But is this good advice? Can getting dirty and being exposed to germs actually benefit children? The answer is yes.

The Centers for Disease Control stated that the number of Americans with asthma grew by 28 percent from 2001-11. Research has also noted that children who are exposed to more microbes (or germs) early in life develop better immune tolerance to things like asthma and allergies.

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PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES: Dalmation Toadflax – invasive species in western Nebraska

By Gary Stone, Extension Educators, Panhandle Extension District

Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) is a concept to identify potential invasive species prior to or just as the establishment of the invasive is taking place.  An Integrated Pest Management plan (IPM) can be developed to manage, contain and eradicate the invasive species before it can spread further.  This will avoid costly, long-term control efforts.

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PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES: Here’s Help for Your Student’s Next Chapter

By Cynthia Gill, Extension Educator, Cheyenne County

High school students have many choices facing them about further education after graduation. Four-year degrees, junior colleges or certificate programs – which is the right choice for their next life chapter?

To help with these life-altering decisions, Nebraska Extension has partnered with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Admissions to create a statewide program called Next Chapter, a college-readiness program delivered through the Nebraska 4-H program that helps students prepare for and succeed in college by providing the skills students need to reach their academic goals.

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PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES: 4-H reaches youth through clubs and other learning experiences

By Kelley Rice, Extension Educator and 4-H Coordinator for Panhandle Extension District

4-H is the largest youth organization in the nation. 4-H serves more than 7 million youth, working in partnership with national, state, and local partners to provide meaningful experiences where youth learn by doing.

As we celebrate Nebraska 4-H Month, I would like shed some light on how Nebraska 4-H is dedicated to teaching life skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, social skills, communication, responsibility, citizenship, and leadership in order to prepare our youth for a successful future.

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PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES: Extension Educator Jim Schild retires

As Nebraska Extension Educator Jim Schild prepares to retire from a 35-year Extension career – 30 of them spent in Scotts Bluff County – he says what he’ll remember most is the connections he’s made with people over the years.

“I appreciate all the opportunities I’ve been able to take advantage of in my career,” Schild said. “Meeting a lot of great people, developing lifelong friendships, helping people, making their lives more productive, helping them save a tree or shrub, seeing 4-Hers growing up to be leaders in their communities.”

Schild is retiring at the end of January.

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PANHANDLE PERSPECTIVES: Following harvest, biomulch project enters next phase

The peppers were harvested weeks ago from a small research plot at the Panhandle Center where a type of fabric mulch is being tested for potential use in USDA certified organic produce fields.

During the off season, researchers are checking to see what becomes of the biodegradable mulch, an experimental product from 3M that is being tested to see if it is suitable for USDA-certified organic vegetable production.

Last spring, six rows of peppers were planted through 3-foot-wide strips of mulch. Two different types of mulch, one black and the other white, are being tested. Recently, workers were busy in the plot setting up six different treatment regimens for the harvested plots, to see if the fabric mulch will disintegrate differently under different conditions.

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Building Bridges in Conservation: Nebraska hosts inaugural natural resources workshop

Building Bridges in Conservation: Nebraska hosts inaugural natural resources workshop

April 15, 2024
Overlooking the iconic Platte River, over 100 natural resource professionals and students met to build and foster new collaborations at the first Natural Resources Conservation Connecting Points Workshop.

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Engaging Agriculture: Embryology a classroom springtime favorite

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April 1, 2024
Spring is here, and Nebraska elementary students are busy learning about embryology.

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Conference Focuses on Entrepreneurial Development in Nebraska Communities

Conference Focuses on Entrepreneurial Development in Nebraska Communities

March 29, 2024
Sidney is welcoming community development professionals from across the country for the 6th annual Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference May 1-2.

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Nav Ghimire is appointed as Associate Dean of Nebraska Extension

Nav Ghimire is appointed as Associate Dean of Nebraska Extension

March 25, 2024
Nav Ghimire has been appointed as the associate dean, Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) focus of Nebraska Extension at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, pending approval by the NU Board of Regents. He will start in June 2024.

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