UNL Extension in Webster County
March 2024 Edition Newsletter
Happy March
Welcome to the Webster County Extension Newsletter! This newsletter contains information regarding upcoming programming in all areas of Nebraska Extension. This will be separate from the Webster County 4-H Newsletter to provide information to clientele interested in extension programming outside of 4-H. We hope this is convenient way to keep everyone in the loop on upcoming opportunities in Nebraska Extension. We hope you enjoy this newsletter!
Sincerely,
The Webster County Extension StaffWebster County Extension Calendar of Events
BEEF & LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS
Understanding Cattle Health Concerns on Cornstalks
Lindsay Waechter-Mead, DVM, Nebraska Extension Livestock Systems Educator
Grazing corn residue is common practice in the Midwest and a quality resource for cattle producers to utilize. While the forages available can provide the necessary nutritional requirements, there are a few health conditions that need to be planned for prior to turn out.
Acidosis
Acidosis or grain overload occurs when cattle consume large amounts of feed that contains high quantities of fermentable carbohydrates, leading to clinical signs in the animal. When grazing corn residue, the feedstuff would be too much dropped corn. Rumen microbes rapidly begin to ferment the carbohydrates in the corn, which leads to an increase in lactate formation. When lactate production increases, the rumen pH drops below the normal range of 5.6-6.9 and begins to damage the rumen epithelium. This leads to an increase in acid-loving bacteria and yeast in the damaged rumen. All of these affect the blood volume and hydration status of tissues throughout the body, leading to acute clinical signs of diarrhea, dehydration, depression, and anorexia. Treatment involves restoring the rumen microbes, correcting dehydration and acidic rumen microenvironment, and managing secondary complications. Long term consequences of acidosis may include abortions and laminitis.
Management is key to preventing acidosis and is more rewarding than treatment. Knowing how much corn is in the field will help establish a grazing plan. The risk of acidosis increases if fields contain more than 8 bushels of corn per acre. Bushels can be estimated by counting dropped ears of corn in three different 100 feet rows and dividing this number by 2. If too much dropped corn is a concern, rumen microbes can begin acclimating to increased carbohydrate diets by slowly increasing amount of corn fed over a 10-day period prior to grazing. More management strategies can be found at Grazing Corn Stalks – Management Strategies | UNL Beef.
Nitrate Toxicity
Nitrates accumulate in plants when uptake by the roots exceeds the rate of conversion to protein, such as during episodes of drought and plant stress. When a ruminant consumes high-nitrate plants, the rumen microbes convert the nitrate to nitrite. Excess nitrite is absorbed into the bloodstream, where it changes the oxygen carrying capacity in red blood cells by converting hemoglobin to methemoglobin. Methemoglobin is unable to carry oxygen to tissues in the body, resulting in asphyxiation. Clinical signs of toxicity include weakness, rapid breathing, lethargy, muscle tremors and sudden death. Abortions may occur 10-14 days after ingestion of high nitrites due to lack of oxygen to fetus.
Knowing the nitrate levels of plants intended as feed is vital information in establishing a prevention plan. Nitrate samples can be taken from both standing plants and baled forages. Forages with >10,000 ppm nitrate may lead to acute toxicity signs and sudden death. Levels over 5,000 ppm should not be fed to pregnant animals due to the increased risk of abortion and stillbirth. More information on managing high nitrate forages can be found here: Options for Safely Using High-Nitrate Forage: Grazing, Silage and Haying | UNL Beef Any health concerns should be discussed with your veterinarian to establish proper prevention and treatment protocols.
BeefWatch Podcast of the Month
The BeefWatch Podcast is an audio companion to the UNL BeefWatch newsletter. It provides the same timely information as the newsletter, just in a downloadable audio form. Information is geared to helping beef cattle producers improve the sustainability and profitability of their operations.
As a busy rancher, you have limited time to spend reading. You often have time available to listen while in the pickup or tractor cab. The BeefWatch Podcast brings you the information you need in a format you can use.
Calving Resources
Calving Resources It's calving season, which means focusing on cow condition, calf health, managing for weather conditions, planning for the upcoming year and—maybe, once in a while—sleeping. BeefWatch Podcast: Preparing for calving season with Dr. Lindsay Waechter-Mead Cow Nutrition Articles Calf Health Articles How colostrum works, why calves need it, and what to do if they aren't getting it Cattle diseases that can make people sick, and how to avoid them
We hope these calving-related resources are helpful, but if there's anything we're missing or if you have questions, please contact your UNL Beef Extension Educator or email beef@unl.edu and we'll do our best to get you in touch with someone who can help.
CROPS & WATER SYSTEMS
Central Nebraska Soil Health Conference
There will a be a Central Nebraska Soil Health Conference happening Tuesday, March 5th at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Please see the PDF attachment for more information. Click here to register by Monday, February 26th.
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT/HORTICULTURE
FireSmart Landscapes
Wildfires were headline news in 2023, including the Lahaina, Hawaii fire and scores of fires across Canada and even Nebraska. It’s comfortable to think a devastating wildfire can’t happen in your area, but it’s better to be aware of the possibility and be prepared. Learn the aspects of Fire Smart Landscaping including creating a defensible space, planning ahead for a fire event, and management of the surrounding landscapes to decrease potential fire damage. Nebraska Extension is offering a virtual workshop you can join from your computer via Zoom. February 27, 20246:30 PM – 8:00 PM Central Time Speaker: Elizabeth Exstrom, Nebraska Extension
More Information: Elizabeth Exstrom, Nebraska Extension in Hall County, email: eexstrom2@unl.edu, Phone: 308.385.5088
Bed Bugs
There may be more to the whole ‘Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite’ bedtime rhyme than you think. Bed bugs are real insects and populations are on the rise. Find out what these insects look like and how can you prevent their dreaded bite.
Adult bed bugs are bigger than you imagine. They may start out small, but adult bed bugs are between 3/8 to ¼ of an inch long and are reddish-brown in color and look similar to a flattened tick. The immatures look exactly like the adults, just a much smaller version. When they first emerge from the white eggs, the young are about the size of a pin head and have more of a light tan appearance until they feed. Proper identification of the pest is key. There are several insects that look like bed bugs except for minor differences. To tell the difference between a bed bug and a bat bug, for example, you would need to compare the length of the hair surrounding the head of the insect to the size of its eyeball, not an easy task for the untrained eye.
The food source and feeding habits of the bed bug are what makes most people squirm. Bed bugs feed on blood. They would prefer human blood, but they can feed on Fluffy, Polly, or Fido depending on who is nearby. During the day, bed bugs hide in tight places near beds or where people sleep at night. At night they come out to feed. The bed bugs locate the food source through increased levels of carbon dioxide and by sensing body heat. They normally feed on areas that aren’t covered by clothing, usually around the head, neck, arms, and shoulders or even the legs and ankles.
Determining a bed bug infestation from bite marks isn’t the most reliable method. Recent research has proven that bed bugs feed in random patterns, instead of several times in a line like what was once thought. To make it more difficult, not everyone reacts the same way to bed bug bites. Some people have severe reactions to the bites, while others can have no reaction at all. Determining if you have bed bugs based upon bite marks alone is not the best method. Identification of the insect is needed to confirm a bed bug infestation.
Bed bugs use a variety of methods to infest. These insects are excellent hitch hikers. They can crawl into luggage in hotels or come with overnight guests, hang onto clothing or hide in personal items like purses and diaper bags. In apartments or higher density housing situations they can move and infest neighboring rooms or apartments or sit and wait for new tenants to move in. They can also be moved in used or garage sale items like couches, vacuums, or mattresses.
Bed bugs thrive in tight quarters. They live in tight places, gaps, or cracks around the bed or where people sleep. They can be found in recliners, couches, chairs, anywhere people sleep. In a bed, they are often found around the binding of the mattress or box spring or in tight corners of the headboard. Most bed bugs are found in the bed or within 15 feet of the bed. If you try to sleep on the couch to avoid becoming a meal of a bed bug, you might be spreading the infestation. Bed bugs can crawl as much as 20 feet away in a night looking for their next meal.
Prevention is the best way to keep from picking up these hitch hikers. When traveling, inspect the hotel room for bed bugs as soon as you enter the room. Look behind the headboard, the mattress and box spring and other locations near the bed. Place your luggage on the metal stand or store in the bathroom, which is usually the farthest away from the bed and has flooring that makes it easy to spot bed bugs. Zip up your luggage to keep large adults from crawling inside. Inspect used items when purchasing or renting. If possible, wash in hot water and dry the item on the hottest setting for at least 30 minutes. Out-of-town guests stay with you over the holidays? Start the inspection process early. It is easier to take care of a few bed bugs than a large infestation.
With a little know how and a lot prevention, there are steps you can do to keep the bed bugs out of your bed. Sleep tight.
Elizabeth Exstrom is the Horticulture Extension Educator with Nebraska Extension in Hall County. For more information contact Elizabeth at elizabeth.exstrom@unl.edu, her blog at http://huskerhort.com/, or HuskerHort on Facebook and Twitter.
Pruning
Pruning is a science, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. There are some pruning guidelines that act as a starting point that make pruning a bit easier. Choosing the correct tools for the job will ensure success and a healthy plant. Lastly, a little knowledge of the plant you are pruning will help in the process and give you wonderful looking plants.
Pruning Guidelines.
The first step to pruning is surveying the plant. This will ensure whether or not pruning is needed. Look for and remove any dead, diseased, damaged, rubbing, or crossing branches first. Remove suckers, little saplings at the base of the tree, and water sprouts, small vertical stems on the main branches. Also look at the plant in terms of safety. Be sure the plant is not blocking vehicle sight lines or covering sidewalks. Remove any low hanging branches that are hanging over a sidewalk.
Pruning Tools.
In order to make cuts that heal correctly on plants, the proper tools are needed. When pruning small branches, those that are 1” in diameter or smaller, hand pruners are recommended. If you have to twist the pruners or take multiple ‘bites’ at the branch, a different tool is needed. For branches that have a diameter greater than 1”, loppers are recommended. Pruning saws are extremely sharp and work well to get into the tight places that the pruners and loppers don’t fit. They can also cut branches that are larger than 1.5” in diameter. The last tool of the trade is the hedge shears. They are used for shearing hedges or shaping plants and shouldn’t be used as substitutes for other pruning equipment.
There are two main pruner types, by-pass and anvil. By-pass pruners work like a pair of scissors, with the sharp blade by-passing the stationary blade. Anvil pruners have a blade that closes down on a flat edge. They have an action that is similar to a knife against a cutting board.
Plant Pruning Tips
Deciduous shade trees, It was previously recommended the best time to prune most shade trees was during winter dormancy. New research shows the optimum time to prune living branches is late spring and early summer because pruning at this time promotes the quickest sealing of pruning wounds, known as CODIT or Compartmentalization of Decay in Trees. Late spring and early summer is when tree cells are most active during the growing season, hence sealing occurs the quickest.
Winter, or anytime during the dormant season, has commonly been the recommended time to prune shade trees. We know trees can be pruned most anytime without killing them, but there are ideal times to prune and times when pruning is best avoided.
We may not have a choice on timing, such as after a wind or ice storm and broken branches need to be removed for safety; but when we have a choice, aim for the ideal time; especially if you are a do-it-yourselfer pruning smaller branches off a smaller tree. Pruning of large branches in large trees should be left to professionals.
Evergreen Trees keep their leaves throughout the winter. Pine trees rarely need to be pruned, if you choose to do so it is best done June into July, or when the new growth is between half and fully grown. If pine trees are pruned too early, the tree could be deformed and pruning too late could cause the tree to be stunted. Be sure to prune only the current years’ growth. If the trees are pruned too far back onto older growth, new growth will be delayed a year. Spruce and fir are two evergreen trees that rarely need pruning. If pruning is needed, they can be pruned between November and April.
Evergreen Shrubs, like arborvitae, Japanese yew, and juniper, are best pruned in late winter between November and April. The cuts will heal quickly and will be covered by new growth.
Deciduous Shrub pruning depends on blooming time. If the shrub blooms in the spring, before June 15th, wait to prune until after it flowers. Lilac, forsythia, and dogwoods are considered spring bloomers. If the shrub is a summer bloomer, like a potentilla, flowering quince, or privet, then late winter to early spring is the best time to prune.
Elizabeth Exstrom is the Horticulture Extension Educator with Nebraska Extension in Hall County. For more information contact Elizabeth at elizabeth.exstrom@unl.edu, her blog at http://huskerhort.com/, or HuskerHort on Facebook and Twitter.
RURAL PROSPERITY
Social Capital
Recently, I’ve been reading a book titled Bowling Alone by Robert D. Putnam. It was a book published in 2000 and has the subtitle of “The Collapse and Revival of American Community”. The book actually has little to do with bowling alone, that is just an idea being explored.
This book is not an easy book to read. It contains a lot of charts and graphs and statistics. The subject matter is also kind of a sad look at where the communities of America have been and where they are going. Sad because as the title of the book alludes to, more Americans are bowling alone rather than in leagues. The author also looks into community engagement, membership in groups, voting turnout, and other interactions.
The findings show that since about the 1950’s most measurements of these statistics have seen a significant downward trend. Oh, the 1950’s that’s easy, that’s when TV became more widely available and popular. He has quite a bit of information and statistics on TV watching and although this does have some blame in the lack of community engagement, but it isn’t the main driver. As far as I can tell, there is no main driver that he found, it is a lot of little lifestyle changes that made a dramatic decrease in community engagement throughout the US.
Honestly, who cares about that? Why does this even matter? The last section of the book starts to show the dark side of a decrease in community engagement…or on the other hand, a bright side if we can increase community engagement. In one of his examples in Chapter 17, page 301, North Carolina is ranked #41 in SAT scores, and Connecticut is ranked #9. Controlling for all other ways that the states differ, he discovered that to see educational outcomes similar to Connecticut, North Carolina can do one of the following things: Increase presidential voter turnout by 50%, double the frequency of club meeting attendance, triple the number of nonprofit organizations per thousand people, or attend church two more times per month.
What do any of those have to do with student test scores? Social Capital. When a student, or family has connections in the community, expectations change. Parents and teachers interact outside of the school day, parents interact with other parents, kids know each other’s parents. These connections lead to better educational results. It is much like Tom Osborne’s TeamMates program, adult mentors spend an hour a week with their youth mentee, there’s no program, perhaps they talk or play board games, but that hour a week leads to drastic changes in the youth’s life because an adult cares. That’s the power of social capital or being engaged in your communities. The author even goes so far as to look into some of the chronically underperforming schools and found that a lack of social capital is the main culprit in the communities rather than race, funding, or school quality.
How does a community build social capital? There are many ways to do this. Open communication, inviting neighbors, community food events, fun, festivals are all options. Just attending local group meetings is a way to build social capital. Rural Prosperity Nebraska has many different programs to build social capital, but they all require people to show up and be involved. Look for ways to be involved in your community, they are all around you. If you still can’t figure out anything, stop by any Extension Office in the state and say that you want to volunteer, we’ll find something for you!
If your community could benefit from any of the Rural Prosperity Nebraska ideas that I’ve discussed in this column, please reach out to me. I’d love to speak to your community about these topics. You can reach me at jason.tuller@unl.edu or at the Thayer County office at 402-768-7212.
Jason Tuller is an Extension Educator for the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. He works in the Rural Prosperity Nebraska program and covers ten-county area including Kearney, Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Saline, Franklin, Webster, Nuckolls, Thayer, and Jefferson Counties.
Childcare
Over the past several months, I have heard of many communities losing their childcare. Unfortunately, I hear about this only after the childcare center announces that it is closing. If you own a childcare center or any type of business and are thinking about closing in the next six months or even in the next 5 years, my contact information is at the bottom of this column, call me. Let me look for solutions that work for you and your community.
I’ve been attending some meetings and learning about childcare issues over the past year. Some of the issues have solutions, and some do not. It seems that one issue that I hear over and over again is the availability of workers. Did you know that to be a childcare worker you need to be fingerprinted and approved by the state? Sometimes you must travel to a State Patrol facility in order to get fingerprinted. It can take more than a month in many cases to get approval to work, after you’ve been hired. A childcare worker is not allowed to work while their fingerprints are being processed. Can you imagine another job where you couldn’t work for a month after you were hired? Also, you have to be fingerprinted again if you choose to work in the daycare across the street, the permission to work is not transferrable. This issue is one of the many reasons why it is difficult to fill positions in day care centers.
Another reason is wages, this may be a touchy subject. Childcare jobs are lower paid positions in our society. As minimum wage rates increase, the cost of childcare also must increase to ensure that the childcare provider pay stays above minimum wage. This increase in costs is passed on to the parents. There is a point where some parents decide that it is in their best financial interests to have one or the other stay home to take care of their own kids. This is a double financial problem for the community. First it takes a child or two out of the daycare, which possibly eliminates one job, and then you lose one potential employee in the local workforce. Unfortunately, as people move their children out of childcare centers, there is less demand for childcare, and at some point in time, you don’t have enough children to make a child care center sustainable. What can we do?
This problem is not any different than many of the problems we face in rural Nebraska. As our populations decrease, demands for goods and services also decrease, which lead to fewer stores and fewer jobs. Possible solutions include regional day care centers perhaps for the entire county. Be supportive of your local day cares, perhaps volunteer to work at one where your children attend. If there is a lack of day cares, perhaps two families work together to provide childcare for each other. A longer-term solution is to create a community where young families want to live, be a welcoming community, welcome outsiders, and increase the population. An increasing population increases demand for all services.
If your community could benefit from any of the Rural Prosperity Nebraska ideas that I’ve discussed in this column, please reach out to me. I’d love to speak to your community about these topics. You can reach me at jason.tuller@unl.edu or at the Thayer County office at 402-768-7212.
Jason Tuller is an Extension Educator for the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. He works in the Rural Prosperity Nebraska program and covers ten-county area including Kearney, Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Saline, Franklin, Webster, Nuckolls, Thayer, and Jefferson Counties.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EXTENSION
We are very excited to share this wonderful resource created in a collaborative effort with the Early Childhood ExtensionTeam, CYFS design team with Lynn DeVries’ leadership to serve Subsidy Childcare Providers in Nebraska. The Handbook is available to share publicly. It has been posted on the provider webpage
Disappointment
Disappointment is a normal, but difficult part of growing up. When you allow your child to feel, experience, and learn from little disappointments at an early age, you help them to create the skills they will need to successfully handle the bigger disappointments they will experience later in childhood and as an adult. https://go.unl.edu/disappointment
Pinata
Pinatas are a great way to celebrate! In this book selection, With Lots of Love, a child moves to a new country and misses everything that she left behind. Her Abuela (grandmother) finds a way to send her something special. A gift wrapped with lots of love. Find this activity and more Discover and Design projects here: https://fitandhealthykids.unl.edu/discover-and-design #Fitandhealthykids
Early Learners Conference
Learn how self-control develops in children so you can better understand where your children are developmentally and how to best support them. #Fitandhealthykids Register now for the March 4th class! https://fitandhealthykids.unl.edu/one-hour-once-month-webinars
Physical Play Encourages Movement
Children need to move and playing teaches them about movement and growing related skills! Learn more at: https://food.unl.edu/article/physical-activity-preschool-aged-children
FOOD, NUTRITION, AND HEALTH
How Long Do Eggs Last?
Purchase too many eggs Easter? No worries. They last longer than you think! https://go.unl.edu/freezingeggs #UNLFoodSafety
Food Safety After a Storm
What food should be thrown out after a power outage? How long is food in a refrigerator or freezer safe without power? Are condiments safe after a power outage? Be prepared! Check these resources to know how to handle perishable food if the power goes out during a storm. https://go.unl.edu/foodsafety-storms #UNLFoodSafety
Eating Healthy on a Budget
Eating healthy on a budget is possible when you make a plan, shop smart, and prepare healthy meals. Check out our tips and resources: https://food.unl.edu/tags/food-budgeting
5 Food Groups
Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy or fortified soy alternatives can help you create a healthy eating routine. Learn more about the five food groups: https://food.unl.edu/article/food-groups
4-H
March 4-H Newsletter
Check out the February 4-H Newsletter by clicking on the button below!
Let's represent Webster County 4-H with volunteer nominations!
The Nebraska 4-H Volunteer Recognition Awards honors adult and youth volunteers, as well as and multi-generational families, who have provided meaningful contributions to Nebraska 4-H. One Outstanding Adult Volunteer Award and One Emerging Adult Volunteer Award winner will be chosen for each of the state’s 10 Nebraska Extension Engagement zones. One statewide winner will be named in the each of the youth volunteer and multi-generational family categories. The nomination period runs through March 15, 2024. Nominations can be submitted by any 4-H member, family, supporter, or Extension staff member. Nominees must fit the award categories and can be a volunteer for any Nebraska 4-H experience. Some examples may include 4-H club leader, project leader, junior leader, county or State Fair volunteer, special interest volunteer (such as robotics or shooting sports), afterschool club volunteer or 4-H camp volunteer. More information, along with the nomination form, is available online at: https://4h.unl.edu/volunteer-recognition. Winners will be announced virtually in April 2024. A special awards presentation will take place at the 2024 Nebraska State Fair.
Other
March 8-9, 2024 Returning to the Farm
The Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will present Returning to the Farm, a workshop series for families who are in the transition process of bringing members back to the farm or ranch. It will begin with a two-day workshop in Kearney for multi-generational families on March 8 and 9 at the office of Nebraska Extension in Buffalo County, 1400 E 34th St.
The series assists families and agricultural operations with developing financial plans and successful working arrangements to meet their unique needs. It will guide families in developing estate and transition plans, setting personal and professional goals, and improving the communication process between family members.
“Returning to the Farm gives families the tools and resources to have a successful transition with more family joining the business,” said extension educator Jessica Groskopf. “We really want to have two or three generations come to this together and take that time, as a family, to sit down, learn together and start these important processes.”
Presenters will include extension experts as well as agribusiness and legal professionals. During the program, participants will:
- Learn communication strategies
- Set both personal and professional goals
- Develop a farm or ranch transition plan
- Identify estate planning issues and develop effective strategies for planning
- Review financial feasibility and financial tools
The workshop fee is $75 per person on or before March 1. March 2, the fee increases to $85 per person. Registration includes dinner on March 8 and lunch on March 9. It also includes two follow-up workshops, to be held virtually. Hotel accommodations are not included.
Red Letter Days
In addition to Husker Weekday and Saturday visits, Nebraska is excited to offer Red Letter Days and Junior Jumpstart visit experiences in March and April.
Red Letter Days
- Monday, March 4
- Friday, March 8
- Friday, March 29
- Friday, April 12
- Friday, April 26
Register at go.unl.edu/visit
Junior Jumpstart Visit Days
In addition to Husker Weekday and Saturday visits, Nebraska is excited to offer Red Letter Days and Junior Jumpstart visit experiences in March and April.
Junior Jumpstart Visit Days
- Monday, April 8
- Monday, April 22
- Monday, April 29
Register at go.unl.edu/visit
REGIONAL EXPERTS
Megan Burda
Engagement Zone 10 Coordinator
Megan is a Nebraska Extension Educator with a passion for fashion! She holds a Master of Arts degree in Textile and Apparel Design from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a specialization in entrepreneurship. Megan serves as an Engagement Zone Coordinator in Zone 10 with a focus on staff development, stakeholder connections, and UNL engagement. She is a maker, entrepreneur, Husker sports fan and baking enthusiast.
Photo and Bio from UNL Extension
Email: megan.burda@unl.edu
Location: 1340 G Street, Geneva, NE, USA
Phone: 402.759.3712
Lynn Devries
Early Childhood Extension Educator
Lynn is an Extension Educator on The Learning Child Team, University of Nebraska Extension in South Central Nebraska. Lynn has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska Kearney in Vocational Family and Consumer Science Education, and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University Nebraska. Lynn works with families, child care providers, teen parents and schools to promote developmentally appropriate practices and enhance parent involvement throughout the child’s education. Lynn has 11 years of experience teaching Family and Consumer Science in the public schools, and 10 years of experience coordinating programming and curriculum with the Head Start programs.
Email: lynn.devries@unl.edu
Website: https://child.unl.edu/
Location: 2975 South Baltimore Avenue, Hastings, NE, USA
Phone: 402.461.7209
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNLExtensionthelearningchild/
Elizabeth Exstrom
Horticulture Extension Educator
I am Community Environment Extension Educator with a horticulture focus who works in the Nebraska Extension office in Hall County. I provide horticulture related programs for youth and adults, act as the Central Nebraska Master Gardener Coordinator, and answer horticulture-based related client questions. I am a Nebraska Arborist Association Certified Arborist and a member of the International Society of Arboriculture and Nebraska Nursery and Landscape Association. You might recognize me because I am regular panel member on NET's Backyard Farmer program and even filled in as host a few times. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture with a landscape design emphasis and my Master’s Degree in Public Horticulture from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln.
Photo and Bio from UNL ExtensionEmail: elizabeth.exstrom@unl.edu
Website: https://huskerhort.com/
Location: College Park, U.S. 34, Grand Island, NE, USA
Phone: 308.385.5088
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.m.killinger/
Ron Seymour
Crops & Water Systems Educator
Ron Seymour is a cropping systems Extension Educator with emphasis on corn and soybean production. Ron also works extensively in crop pest management with specific expertise in insect issues. Ron has an interest in developing areas that border field crops as habitat that promote populations of beneficial arthropods.
Email: rseymour1@unl.edu
Location: 2975 South Baltimore Avenue, Hastings, NE, USA
Phone: 402.461.7209
Jason Tuller
Rural Prosperity Nebraska Extension Educator
Jason has been working in the economic development field in rural Nebraska for more than a decade. He has worked as a small business consultant and as a rural economic developer. His goal now is to help grow stronger communities in Southeast Nebraska and throughout the state.
Photo and Bio from UNL ExtensionEmail: jtuller2@unl.edu
Website: https://ruralprosperityne.unl.edu/
Location: 825 South Main Street, Nelson, NE, USA
Phone: 402.768.7212
Cami Wells
Food, Nutrition, and Health Extension Educator
I am a Nutrition, Food and Health Educator and Registered Dietitian located in Hall County. Part of my time is allocated to the Nutrition Education Program (NEP) that provides nutrition education to limited-resource families in central Nebraska. I teach a variety of food safety and nutrition programs to adults and youth as well as serve on the media/marketing team that develops content for our food.unl.edu website. I graduated from University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Science and Dietetics and earned a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Health Sciences from Northern Illinois University.
Email: cami.wells@unl.edu
Location: College Park At Grand Island, U.S. 34, Grand Island, NE, USA
Phone: 308.385.5088
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNLExtensionFoodAndFitness
MEET OUR TEAM IN WEBSTER COUNTY
Dr. Lindsay Waechter-Mead
Beef Systems Educator, DVM
Lindsay Waechter-Mead is the Beef Systems Educator in Webster County and serves surrounding counties in this region. She is excited to bring her interests surrounding cow/calf health and preventative medicine to the Beef Team. Her current work involves looking at environmental effects on neonatal calf immunity and colostral transfer. She is also passionate about rural agriculture and what the veterinary profession can do to positively influence rural communities to ensure that generations can continue to enjoy the life that she loves.
Email: lindsay.waechter-mead@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/
Location: 621 North Cedar Street, Red Cloud, NE, USA
Phone: 402-746-3417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCBeefExtensionUNL
Beth Janning
4-H Youth Development Extension Educator in Adams/Webster Counties
Beth Janning is a 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator. She provides programming in school enrichment, after-school, and traditional 4-H Programs. Her topic areas include but not limited to animal science, science, engineering and volunteer development.
Email: elizabeth.janning@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/
Location: 2975 South Baltimore Avenue, Hastings, NE, USA
Phone: 402.461.7209
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WebsterCoExtNE
Alexa Pedersen
Office Manager
Email: alexa.pedersen@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/
Location: 621 North Cedar Street, Red Cloud, NE, USA
Phone: 402.746.3417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WebsterCoExtNE
Katie Bolte
4-H Programming Assistant
Email: katie.bolte@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/webster/
Location: 621 North Cedar Street, Red Cloud, NE, USA
Phone: 402.746.3417
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WebsterCoExtNE