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New
to Extension in 2003
UNL
Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County is committed
to being relevant and responsive to the evolving
needs of Lancaster County residents. Here are some
new developments in extension programs.
 Heart
of 4-H Award Lancaster County: 4-H and 4-H
Council established the monthly “Heart of 4-H
Award” in January 2003 to recognize outstanding
volunteers. Information about all 12 of this
year’s honorees are available on the 4-H
Web site. More than 750 adults volunteer
their time and talents through 4-H to help youth
develop life skills. |
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Above:
Preschoolers at Carol Youkam Early
Head Start place picture pieces
on a magnet board as the book
“Big Hungry Bear” is read to them.
This activity is part of the “Fun
With Fruit” kit developed by the
Nutrition Education Program.
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NEP
Program Kits for Early Head Start: This
past year, the Lancaster County Nutrition Education
Program (NEP) developed and piloted 12 Early
Head Start kits which rotated monthly between
five child development centers.
Each
kit focuses on a nutrition-related topic and
includes a teacher’s curriculum, supplies
needed for hands-on activities, a supplied
snack and a parent letter. While the kits
emphasize healthy eating and food safety practices,
the activities are also aimed at developing
literacy and improving fine/gross motor skills.
More than 400 youth participated in kit-related
activities.
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 “Can
You Guess It?” — focusing on a timely topic
— debuted in September in The Nebline and on extension’s
Web site. Each answer provides related educational
information. At
the right is one of this year's "Can You Guess
It?" photos. Answer
—
A close up of moldy bread from a 4th grade classroom
doing an experiment from a Nutrition Education program
(NEP) School Enrichment Kit.
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Acreage
& Small Farm Insights eNews:
University
of Nebraska Cooperative Extension began
publishing a free monthly e-mail newsletter
in March 2003. “Acreage & Small Farm
Insights eNews” helps acreage and small
farm owners better manage their rural
living environment. People can sign
up for the e-newsletter HERE
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NEP
Teams Up With Every Woman Matters:
New
this year, NEP collaborated with the Lincoln-Lancaster
County Health Department to provide nutrition education
for participants in the Every Woman Matters program
(women age 40–65 who are low to moderate income
level). Each session encourages women to Aim for
Fitness, Build a Healthy Base and Choose Sensibly.
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“Ask
Lorene”:
For years, Extension Educator Lorene Bartos
has given expert information on household management,
shopping smart and recycling through The Nebline,
her Sunday column in the “Journal Star” and via phone
inquiries to extension. Starting in April 2003, people
could get answers online via a new feature on extension’s
Web site, “Ask
Lorene.” |
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4-H
Involvement in
“Holiday of Trees”
For
the first time, 4-H became involved
in Heritage League of Lincoln’s Holiday
of Trees which raises funds for various
community projects. 4-H’ers created
homemade ornaments and decorated three
trees: “4-H is Alive at the County Fair,”
“4-H Memories” and “The Wild Side of
4-H.” Funds benefitted the Salvation
Army After School Hot Lunch Program.
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Photo:
4-H’ers decorated hundreds of ornaments
for Heritage League’s Holiday of
Trees fundraising event. |
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Nitrogen
& Irrigation Management Training: In cooperation
with the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District,
UNL Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County presented
“Nitrogen and Irrigation Management Training” seminars
as part of the educational requirements for agricultural
producers in the Lower Salt Creek groundwater management
area.
In
May 2003 a special section on “Food Safety for Home
Cooking” was added to extension’s Food
Web site. Consumers can find information
on everything from storing to preparing foods safely.
It also includes food safety recommendations on
everything from canning and freezing instructions
to microwave, slow cooker and grilling guidelines.
Content for the site is provided in partnership
with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department.
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