Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties | | Growing and Cooking with Fresh Herbs! | Join Douglas-Sarpy Extension's Cindy Brison and Scott Evans for a fun, hands-on class all about growing and using herbs! Learn how to successfully grow herbs at home, discover delicious ways to use fresh herbs in everyday cooking, and enjoy plenty of tasty samples and recipes shared by Cindy. Best of all, each participant will receive potted herb plants to take home and start their own herb garden! This popular class is offered twice on the same day, so choose the session that fits your schedule. | |
Morning Session
August 4, 2026
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Register: https://go.unl.edu/herbam
Evening Session
August 4, 2026
6:00–8:00 p.m.
Register: https://go.unl.edu/herbspm
Location:
Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office
8015 W. Center Road, Omaha
Cost: $25 per person
Space is limited! Register today to reserve your spot.
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Late Summer Lawn Tips
Late summer is a great time to reseed!
Warm soil temperatures help seeds germinate quickly, and the sunny days and cool nights of early fall create ideal conditions for new turfgrass to take root and thrive.
Now’s the time to get started, check out these helpful tips on lawn renovation at
https://grobigred.com/2020/08/13/lawn-renovation-first-steps/
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Plant a Fall Garden
In eastern Nebraska, many crops, such as broccoli and cauliflower, actually perform better in the fall than in the spring. To get started, remove any existing crops, loosen the soil with a pitchfork, and work in about an inch of compost. Then, either direct seed or plant transplants. For a complete list of crops well-suited to fall gardening, go to https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g1343/2006/pdf/view/g1343-2006.pdf
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Meet Our Expert: Dr. Katja Koehler-Cole
Dr. Katja Koehler-Cole is Nebraska Extension's Statewide Soil Health Management Extension Educator, specializing in soil health and regenerative agriculture. She works with producers across Nebraska to promote sustainable practices that improve soil productivity and long-term resilience.
Join Katja at her Upcoming Free Webinar
Composting for Small-Scale Growers: Understanding the Basics, Choosing the Right Ingredients, Testing for Quality & Solving Common Problems
When: August 12, 2026, 12:00 p.m. CT
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Register to receive the Zoom link at: https://hles.unl.edu/lawn-garden/gro-big-red/)
Learn the science behind successful composting, including how to choose the right ingredients, evaluate compost quality, and solve common composting problems. This webinar is ideal for small-scale growers looking to improve soil structure, increase microbial activity, and boost water retention.
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Nebraska Extension's Virtual Food Preservation Series
Join the 2026 Virtual Food Preservation Series, a free set of educational webinars designed to help participants learn safe, research-based methods for preserving food at home. Topics include freezing, pressure canning, salsa and tomato canning, pickling, and preserving squash and pumpkin.
These sessions will provide practical guidance, answer common food preservation questions, and help participants build confidence in preserving foods safely and successfully.
Class Dates & Topics:
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August 12, 2026 at 12:00 p.m – Making Salsa and Canning Tomatoes
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August 20, 2026 at 12:00 p.m – Pickling
Cost: Free
Register to receive the Zoom link at: https://go.unl.edu/virtualfoodpreservation
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Our Little Free Pantry Needs Your Help!
Our Little Free Pantry has been in high demand over the past few weeks, and our shelves are running low. We're asking our community to help us keep this valuable resource stocked for neighbors in need.
You can make a difference! Simply pick up a few extra pantry staples during your next grocery trip and drop them off at the Nebraska Extension Office (8015 W. Center Road, Omaha) the next time you're nearby.
Not sure what to donate? Learn about food safety recommendations and see a list of great pantry items at https://food.unl.edu/article/little-free-food-pantry-food-safety-information/
Every donation, big or small, helps support local families. Thank you for helping us care for our community!
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Volunteer Spotlight:
Nancy Mattea!
This month, we are proud to recognize Nancy Mattea, recipient of this year's Hands-On Learning Volunteer Award from the Friends of Extension Foundation.
Nancy is a dedicated 4-H volunteer who inspires youth through hands-on textiles and sewing education. With patience, creativity, and encouragement, she helps young people develop practical sewing skills while building confidence, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
Her commitment to youth development has made a lasting impact on countless 4-H members. Many of the youth Nancy has mentored will be showcasing their sewing projects at the Sarpy County Fair.
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Join us at the Sarpy County fair to celebrate the achievements of our talented 4-H youth and cheer them on throughout the week!
View the complete fair schedule at https://sarpyfair.com/
| | | Bring Learning to Life with 4-H in the Classroom | |
Are you looking for engaging, hands-on activities to enhance your current curriculum? 4-H in the Classroom, offered through Nebraska Extension, provides experiential learning programs that align with the Nebraska State Board of Education Content Area Standards in English language arts, mathematics, and science.
These programs are thoughtfully designed to enrich classroom instruction and are available to teachers in Douglas and Sarpy counties. Each session includes all necessary materials, which are covered in the program fee.
Check out our current program offerings, including recommended grade levels and pricing at https://douglas-sarpy.unl.edu/4-h-youth-development/4-h-classroom/.
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Affordable Protein Idea
Chuck roast is an affordable cut of beef from the shoulder of the animal. Because this muscle gets plenty of use, the meat is naturally tougher and benefits from low-and-slow cooking methods that help develop tenderness and rich flavor.
Try chuck roast in braises, slow cooker meals or pressure cooker recipes.
Looking for a delicious way to use it? Give our Korean Beef Tacos a try! Check out the recipe at
https://food.unl.edu/recipe/slow-cooker-korean-beef-tacos/
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Cucumbers – Cool, Crisp and Full of Flavor
Cucumbers are a refreshing and versatile summer favorite. Enjoy them as a snack or add them to soups, salads and even salsas!
Add cucumber slices to your water for a fresh twist and a boost of vitamins and antioxidants.
Storage Tip: Keep cut cucumbers in the refrigerator and enjoy within 2–3 days for the best taste and texture.
Looking for an easy and fun way to enjoy cucumbers? Give our Mini Cucumber Sandwiches a try: https://go.unl.edu/7boy
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50 Years of Master Gardeners in Nebraska
Demonstration Garden at Our Office
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In 2026, Nebraska is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Master Gardener program! Each month, we are highlighting a unique part of this program. This month, we are featuring the All-America Selections Edible Trial Grounds at our Central Office, located at 8015 W. Center Road in Omaha.
Before new plant varieties are released to the home gardening market, they are grown and evaluated against comparison varieties for characteristics such as flavor, yield, growth habit and disease resistance. All-America Selections (AAS) Winners are flowers and vegetables that have been tested and grown locally. Each AAS entry is evaluated by horticulture professionals across North America for superior garden performance.
Officially called Trial Grounds or Trial Gardens, these controlled testing areas are used by All-America Selections to evaluate brand-new plant varieties that have never been sold before. Think of them as the science labs of the gardening world, where new plants are “tested nationally and proven locally.”
Throughout the growing season, expert horticulturists blindly evaluate these trials and score plants on traits such as yield, disease resistance, flavor, color and weather resilience.
A special thank you to the Master Gardeners who help maintain this beautiful and useful space. Each of our demonstration gardens is unique and important, check them all out at https://douglas-sarpy.unl.edu/plants-and-bugs/extension-master-gardener-volunteers/teaching-gardens/
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Personalized Gardening Support
Get Expert Advice
Our Master Gardeners are available to answer your questions:
- Visit Us: Bring your plant, turf, or insect sample to 8015 West Center Road, Omaha
- Hours: 9 AM to Noon and 1 to 4 PM
- Horticulture Helpline: (402) 444-7804 (Press 2)
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Email: douglas-sarpy@unl.edu
Additional Resources
Backyard Farmer
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Learn more about horticulture and the 4-H program by signing up for our newsletters:
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Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties
8015 West Center Road, Omaha
402-444-7804
go.unl.edu/douglassarpyext
Email us at douglas-sarpy@unl.edu
See our annual report here.
Our south office is located at 1102 E. 1st St., Papillion, NE 68046.
Call 402-444-7804 to schedule an appointment at our Papillion Office.
The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. https://nebraska.edu/nondiscrimination
Accommodation requests for registration or attendance may be directed to Douglas-Sarpy Extension at least three weeks prior to the program at douglas-sarpy@unl.edu or 402-444-7804. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
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