Nutrition Education Program (NEP)
NEP equips limited-resource families to live healthier lives through classes and policy, system and environmental (PSE) initiatives. In 2024, NEP in Lancaster County taught nearly 5,500 adults and 7,700 youth. NEP fostered 51 PSE changes that increased health accessibility and affordability. Programs like Nutrition for Hypertension at the Good Neighbor Center (pictured), taught in Arabic for New Americans, blend cultural traditions with practical skills to navigate new food and health systems to increase health and reduce chronic disease.
The Nutrition Education Program is funded by USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) and Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP).
Early Childhood Prep Academy
Extension Educator Hayley Jackson Perez partnered with Lincoln Littles and Ruth Staples Child Development Laboratory to offer 6-hour workshops to 22 middle school students about career possibilities in early childhood education (pictured). This program was aimed at increasing the Early Childhood workforce, which is an issue within Lancaster County and beyond. One participant said, “I enjoyed working with the kids doing hands-on activities. My favorite was assisting in the outdoor learning. The other kids and staff all made the day fun and a great experience.”
4-H Engaged 34,177 Youth
With over 50 clubs ranging from 5 to 75 youth members, clubs are an important part of the Lancaster County 4-H program. 4-H clubs are led by adult volunteers, hold regular meetings, elect youth officers, recite the 4-H pledge, learn together and do community service projects. Pictured is the 4-H Clover Kids club for youth ages 5–7. Laura Hilkemann, mother of a 4-H independent member, said, “I consider 4-H to be an invaluable component of Elizabeth’s education. Not only has she gained knowledge and skills, but she has learned the importance of working hard to accomplish her goals. Additionally, it is an excellent way to meet other youth with similar interests. I’m truly grateful for the opportunities afforded to her through 4-H.”
Agriculture Outreach
Water & Cropping Systems Extension Educator John Nelson was one of several presenters at the Nebraska Soil Health & Cover Crops Field Day held at the Eastern Nebraska Research Extension and Education Center (pictured). 75 attendees learned about the results of the Highboy Cover Crop Interseeding Project (HiCCIP) and saw an equipment demonstration. As part of Extension’s On-Farm Research Network, HiCCIP included 16 farms covering 2,000 acres. The goal is to address barriers to adopting cover crops in corn fields prior to harvest.
Horticulture, Landscape, and Environmental Systems (HLES) Team
HLES Extension experts assist thousands of homeowners, renters and industry professionals each year to identify issues and solve problems. In 2024, over 15,000 questions were answered by horticulture, entomology and water experts (via emails, phone calls and walk-ins). The HLES Team of Horticulturist Sarah Browning, Urban Entomologist Kait Chapman and Statewide Domestic Water/Wastewater Program Manager Becky Schuerman assisted over 2,000 Husker Harvest Days visitors during the 3-day event in September (pictured).
