Douglas-Sarpy@unl.edu

(402) 444-7804

December 2025

Warm Up With Soup This Winter

Soup is nutritious, affordable, easy to prepare, and adaptable to any taste. It can be spicy, savory, or sweet, and works well as an appetizer, side, or main dish.

Tips for Making Soup Healthy and Delicious:

• Watch the sodium: Choose low-sodium broth or stock and season with herbs and spices like pepper, garlic powder, cumin, or basil instead of salt.
• Read labels: When buying canned soup, use the Nutrition Facts Label to find options lower in sodium (140 mg or less per serving).
• Make smart swaps: Use lighter toppings such as reduced-fat cheese, low-fat sour cream, or plain yogurt. Choose whole-grain noodles, barley, or brown rice to boost nutrition.
• Cook once, eat twice: Make large batches and refrigerate for 3–4 days or freeze for later. Cool soups in shallow containers and reheat leftovers to a boil.

Soup is a simple, satisfying way to eat well all winter long! Check out some of Nebraska Extension's favorite soup recipes here.

Upcoming 4-H Events

4-H Enrollment is Now Open!

Here’s what you need to know:

• Youth and volunteers must re-enroll every year at https://v2.4honline.com/
• All volunteers must enroll in 4-H before serving in their role.
• Volunteers who completed screening last year don’t need to screen again.
• New volunteers will need to enroll, complete screening, and orientation modules.
• Project selection is no longer required for most projects except for horse and shooting sports projects (these require signed consent forms).
• Questions? Email Marci at mcarroll3@unl.edu
• Enroll by June 15, 2026, to be eligible to participate at the County Fair.

Caring for Your Poinsettia

With the right care, these colorful plants can thrive long after the holidays. Whether it’s brightening a sunny window or moving outdoors as the weather warms, a little attention can help your poinsettia stay healthy and vibrant.

Tips for Success:

• Place the plant in a bright window, east, west, or south facing is ideal.
• Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.
• If moving it outdoors, harden it off gradually and bring it inside before the first frost.
• To encourage colorful bracts, provide complete darkness at night (from about 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.) while keeping it in a bright location during the day.
• If the leaves thin or stems become leggy, prune the plant by half or train it into a “lollipop” shape with one strong stem and a ball of leaves.
• Modern poinsettia varieties hold their color longer than older types, so you can enjoy their festive look for many months.

With a bit of care and attention, your poinsettia can continue to brighten your home well into the new year.

For more information about houseplant care this winter check out our blog at grobigred.com

Caring for Those Who Care for Our Children

Nebraska Extension’s Early Childhood Team is excited to offer a variety of online and in-person classes designed to support the Early Childhood Workforce. All classes are open to everyone, regardless of location, background, or experience.

Child care is essential to Nebraska’s economy and Nebraska Extension offers professional development programs to help providers succeed in their roles. See our upcoming classes here.

Growing the Economy With Cottage Food

Cottage food laws allow individuals to sell homemade foods directly to consumers, providing a great opportunity for small-scale food entrepreneurs to start or grow a business from home.

Our office supports these producers by offering accredited training, available both in-person and online, to help them comply with current Nebraska cottage food laws. These classes guide producers through the legal requirements and teach important food safety practices.

By offering this education and support, Nebraska Extension helps grow the local economy and empowers new food businesses to proceed safely and confidently.

"I took Nebraska Extension’s Cottage Food Education Certification to turn my baking hobby into a business. The course taught me safe food handling, proper labeling, and state regulations. Now I feel confident that my products are both delicious and safe, and Extension gave me the tools to grow my business responsibly."

Learn more about how Nebraska Extension can help your cottage food idea at https://extension.unl.edu/cottage-food-law/.

Planting for Pollinators

Any plant that grows from a seed depends on pollination. Depositing a pollen grain is what sets the whole process in motion. Because fruit forms around seeds like a protective carrying case, incomplete pollination can result in smaller or misshapen apples, cucumbers, or tomatoes, or even no fruit at all.

MG Garden recognized for Pollinator Efforts

Five years ago, Douglas-Sarpy's Master Gardener Annette Langan began creating a beautiful pollinator garden at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Omaha. Today, that space is filled with thousands of colorful blooms and serves as a peaceful sanctuary for parishioners and visitors. Thanks to her work with this Master Gardener teaching garden, she was named the PlantNebraska Community Landscape Award winner. Learn more about her award at PlantNebraska Awards

Transforming your Yard to Support Pollinators

The public who plant for pollinators are invited to applying for the Nebraska Extension's Pollinator Habitat Certification Program in 2026. This program increases access to high-quality, season-long food and nesting resources for pollinators, helping stabilize regional ecosystems and boost pollination success for locally grown foods. Learn more about the program's requirements here.

Thank You for Supporting Little Free Pantries

We’re grateful for your generous donations that help families facing food insecurity. As temperatures drop, please consider donating items that can withstand freezing weather.

Suggested winter pantry items:

Instant oatmeal, crackers, rice or rice sides, potato sides, whole wheat pasta, pancake or waffle mix, cornmeal, cereal, granola bars, and popcorn.

Other helpful items:

Gloves, hats, tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, and feminine products.

How to Help:

Donations can be placed directly in the pantry located in our parking lot or dropped off at the front desk Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Address: 8015 W. Center Road, Omaha

Your generosity helps keep our community fed and supported this season, thank you!

Consider an End-of-Year Contribution

Learn more about horticulture and the 4-H program by signing up for our Newsletters:

• Monthly Horticulture Newsletter by emailing Rachel here.
• Weekly 4-H Newsletter by emailing 4-H here.

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.

Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made to Douglas-Sarpy County Extension at 402-444-7804 or douglas-sarpy@unl.edu