Nebraska Extension in Hamilton County brings you reliable, research-based information in agriculture and natural resources, consumer and family economics, community and economic development, and 4-H / youth development. Our goal is simple . . . to help you put knowledge to work!

A 9-member Extension Board and a 15-member youth and adult 4-H Council representing all areas of Hamilton County are also a part of our Extension team. It gives us great pleasure to serve you in your quest for learning or keeping up-to-date in this ever-changing world.

Nebraska Extension in Hamilton County values excellence. The Hamilton County Extension 4-H Program Coordinator is a full-time position to grow an exceptional 4-H program. The position is coordinating youth, volunteers, extension staff, and UNL faculty to deliver research-based educational programming to youth. Primary responsibility is the 4-H program including the traditional 4-H club program, school enrichment, 4-H Afterschool, and special interest programs. Successful candidates will have a high level of knowledge of the county 4-H program, along with the state and national 4-H programs. Click the flyer below for more information, a full job description and an application.

Hamilton County Ag Dates:

January 30, 9:30 am- Ag Day, Hamilton County Fairgrounds

February 1, 9:30 am- Chemigation Training, Hamilton County Fairgrounds

February 16, 1 pm & 6:30 pm- Private Pesticide Certification Training, Hamilton County Fairgrounds

February 20, 1 pm- Private Pesticide Certification Training, Hamilton County Fairgrounds

Please contact Steve Melvin with questions, 308-946-3843.

The 2023 private pesticide applicator training dates, times, and locations have been set, with sessions beginning in early January and continuing through early April at sites throughout Nebraska.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture will send notification letters to applicators whose licenses will expire in 2023. The cost of the training is $50, payable on the day of the training.

Private pesticide licenses also can be obtained by completing an online course. Pesticide applicators can purchase access to the online course after Jan. 1 via a link posted on the Pesticide Safety Education Program site. The cost of the course is $50. Call 402-472-1632 with any questions about this training.

Physical copies of the extension publication EC130, “The Guide for Weed, Disease, and Insect Management in Nebraska,” will no longer be provided at the training. However, every trainee will be provided access to a digital copy of EC130.

Private Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) sessions

2023 Central Nebraska Extension Ag Programs Brochure

The holiday season can be a busy and stressful time for families. Along with those hectic schedules, the cold winter weather can make it challenging for squeezing in some physical activity each day. However, being active as a family can benefit everyone. Adults need at least 2½ hours of physical activity a week, and children need 60 minutes a day. Follow these tips to add more activity during the winter months:

1. Schedule some time for physical activity. Determine time slots throughout the week when most family members are available. Devote a few of these times to doing something active.
2. Turn off the screens. Instead of watching TV or playing video games, create an indoor obstacle course, make a scavenger hunt or play charades. Being active as a family not only creates special memories but helps to relieve holiday stress.
3. Bundle up for outdoor play. Create a snowman or “snow family”. Climb a snow mountain or make paths through the snow. No snow? Walk around your neighborhood to view lighting displays rather than taking the car.
4. Don’t ditch the housework. We all have experienced the tiring effects of doing chores. But those chores are a great way to add physical activity and have a clean house – ready for holiday guests. Kids can help vacuum, dust, sweep the floor and even clean the windows!
5. Treat the family with fun physical activity. Enjoyable experiences such as an afternoon of ice skating or an evening of bowling make great gifts. A membership to the YMCA or recreational club can give your family fun opportunities for physical activity all throughout the year.

Click here for more ideas: https://food.unl.edu/free-resources/newsletters/family-fun-run/be-active-family-during-holidays

Ag Land Management and Leasing Workshops

Nebraska Extension and the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will host a series of in-person workshops covering agricultural land management and leasing considerations for 2023. They will be held at locations across the state during the winter months.

The workshops will offer updated leasing information relevant to landlords and tenants, including tips for communication and negotiating. They will address topics like equitable rental rates, managing and adjusting farmland leases, landlord-tenant issues, pasture leasing, crop share leasing, and other management considerations.

The presentations will be led by Allan Vyhnalek, an Extension Educator specializing in farm and ranch transition and succession, and Jim Jansen, an Extension Agricultural Economist. Both are with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability.

The meetings are free to attend, but registration is required for each date. The schedule and registration information for each location are linked below. More dates may be added. A complete schedule is available at https://cap.unl.edu/succession.

Ag Land Management, Leasing Workshop Schedule

From the family-owned bakery on Main St., to the local farmers market, to the sprawling cattle ranch, rural communities make Nebraska thrive. At Rural Prosperity Nebraska, students, faculty and community leaders couple research with on-the-ground experience to bring that prosperity to your front door. Through six areas of focus, we work together with you to live better in Nebraska.

Bring books to life with virtual field trips and activities.

These short, exciting field trips help inspire questions, problem-solving, and observation to help children remember concepts longer.

This program provides all caregivers, preschool teachers, and parents with books, virtual tours, art, and physical activities along with music. We hope you enjoy this website to access high-quality content with curated books and activities to extend children’s learning about community helpers and services. Children will demonstrate an increased familiarity with doctors, police officers, firefighters, veterinarians, and greenhouse managers through developmentally appropriate indicators.

https://fitandhealthykids.unl.edu/learning-in-the-heartland

Nebraska Extension’s Acreage Life Team provides information to acreage owners and anyone living the country life on topics unique to rural living. This includes:

• management of private drinking water wells and onsite wastewater treatment systems,
• livestock husbandry,
• creating wildlife habitat and managing damage,
• best management practices of trees, shrubs, grasslands, native prairie, wetlands/ponds and landscaped areas, and
• conserving the diversity of native plants, insects and wildlife.

With the goals of protecting surface and groundwater quality, protecting and increasing natural habitat, maintaining sustainable water quantity, reducing energy requirements for heating and cooling, and creating sustainable landscapes. Check out the Acreage Life Newsletter: https://acreagenebraska.org/

Clover Kids is the officially recognized program in Nebraska for children under the age of 8. The program is designed to provide 5 to 7-year-olds a variety of educational and recreational experiences in a non-competitive environment. Clover Kids provides an excellent opportunity for youth to achieve his/her highest potential because early life experiences affect future development.

Brad Schick is a Livestock Systems Extension Educator. Brad covers a seven-county accountability region including Boone, Nance, Merrick, Hamilton, Platte, Polk, and York Counties.

Click below to read Brad's newsletter, Brad and Beef!

BeefWatch Webinars

The BeefWatch Webinar series is designed to highlight management strategies in grazing, nutrition, reproduction, and economics to increase cow/calf and stocker production efficiency and profitability.

Tailgate Talks

Tailgate Talks is designed to provide brief updates for beef cattle producers. Join Erin Laborie and Hannah Greenwell with the Nebraska Extension Beef Team as they discuss timely topics related to beef cattle management.