Douglas-Sarpy@unl.edu

(402) 444-7804

February 2025

Extension's Winter Wellness Tips

Focusing on Gardening Goals

As we settle into the heart of winter this February, it's a great time to stay active indoors and enhance your gardening skills through our online resources. Catch up on past Backyard Farmer episodes at https://byf.unl.edu/ or explore our GRO Big Red Virtual Learning at https://hles.unl.edu/lawn-garden/gro-big-red/.

Incorporating Healthy Eating Habits

Making lasting changes to your eating habits takes time, so start small. Begin by adding a few extra servings of fruits and vegetables to your daily routine. Try mixing dark, leafy greens like spinach into your salads or enjoy a piece of fruit as a snack. Over time, work toward a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, and whole grains. Opt for lean cuts of meat and focus on smaller portions to promote overall health.

Winter: The Perfect Time for 4-H Projects

Winter offers an excellent opportunity to focus on 4-H projects. The 4-H program helps members set both short-term and long-term goals, encouraging them to create actionable plans and measure their success. Get your family involved in 4-H today at https://douglas-sarpy.unl.edu/4-h-youth-development/.

Upcoming Classes

Extension Board Member - Ronald Giller

"I had heard about Extension resources and services through my connection with several garden clubs in the Bellevue/Omaha area and utilized their expertise to support my own family garden projects for the past thirty years. I also used Extension resources to help with the creation of an outdoor classroom at one of my elementary schools where I was principal.

I really enjoy networking with Extension staff, other Board members and volunteers. I enjoy supporting the community programming that our Extension team provides to so many individuals, schools and families in our two-county area."

Ron is pictured at the 2024 NACEB Legislative Day. Read more about Ron's story with Extension here.



Horticulture Resources for February

Fungus Gnats

Fungus gnat larvae thrive in moist conditions. To prevent an infestation, allow the soil to dry out between waterings and ensure that your pots have proper drainage to prevent water from pooling.

To capture the flying adult gnats, use yellow sticky traps placed strategically near the soil of affected plants.

Learn more here.

Ice Melt and Landscape

The ice melt products that we use can be caustic to the concrete. Adjacent plants such as trees, perennials and turfgrases can be injured, killing shoots and roots. Learn ways to prevent damage to plants from these materials here.

GroBigRed Virtual Learning Series: Growing Vegetables

Do not start your vegetable transplants indoors too early. Six weeks ahead of the expected planting date is early enough for the fast-growth species like tomatoes. Eight weeks allows enough time for the slower-growing types such as peppers.

Learn more at our free webinar

"Starting a Vegetable Garden" on Wednesday, Feb. 12 12 p.m. CT.



Register here.

Practical Guidance on Removing Head Lice

Nebraska Extension experts developed a video which provides practical guidance on safely removing head lice, including effective techniques for combing out lice and nits (lice eggs), treating the home environment and preventing the spread of head lice. The information is reliable and rooted in science — no gimmicks, just proven, evidence-based methods that work. Check it out at https://go.unl.edu/licenomore.

Celebrate Nebraska 4-H Month this February!

February is Nebraska 4-H Month, a special time to celebrate all that 4-H offers, engage with new members and volunteers, and have fun!

This month, we honor the many opportunities 4-H provides to help young people find a community where they belong.

The Douglas-Sarpy 4-H program is open to all youth ages 5-18 and offers something for everyone! The 4-H experience goes beyond what meets the eye, teaching valuable life skills that last a lifetime. Through hands-on projects, youth develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills, all while learning the importance of respect. Many 4-H projects also emphasize healthy lifestyle choices and career exploration, preparing young people for future success.

Get your family involved today at https://douglas-sarpy.unl.edu/4-h-youth-development/

2025 Early Childhood Professional Development Classes

Handling challenging behaviors is often one of the most stressful aspects of working with young children. That's why we're excited to introduce a new approach to professional development! Each week, we’ll focus on a key aspect of early care and education that directly influences children's behavior in your program. Before each session, we’ll invite participants to share their current challenges, and together, we'll troubleshoot and explore solutions during the class.

Focusing on Challenging Behaviors

When: 02/04, 02/11, 02/18, 03/04, 03/11

Time: 1 - 2 pm Central Time

1-hour certificate awarded after each session. Classes will be recorded.

Sign up today at https://douglas-sarpy.unl.edu/early-childhood/professional-development-programs/

For more information, contact Katie at katie.krause@unl.edu

Featured Food Resources for February

February is Sweet Potato Month

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of Vitamin C, which not only helps boost the immune system but also plays a vital role in healing cuts and wounds. Additionally, sweet potatoes are packed with Vitamin A, an essential nutrient that supports healthy vision, cell growth, and immune function. Rich in fiber and antioxidants, they also contribute to digestive health and can help maintain stable blood sugar levels. Whether roasted, mashed, or baked, sweet potatoes provide both flavor and nutritional benefits.

Explore some of our favorite sweet potato recipes at

https://food.unl.edu/food-calendar/february/sweet-potato-month/

Sourdough Starters: Care, Safety, and Preservation

The North Central Food Safety Extension Network will present this webinar about food trends for entrepreneurs.

 When: February 11, 2025 from 11AM to 12 PM

Cost: Free

Learn

• What is sourdough bread and how it differs from standard bread 
• What is a sourdough starter, which organisms are typically present, and how they work together to provide the benefits of sourdough 
• How to properly feed and care for a sourdough starter  

Click here to join on February 11, 2025. 

Reducing the Size of Recipes

Many recipes can easily be halved or cut into thirds. To help guide you through the process, here are some useful tips:

• A 9x13-inch pan holds about 14 to 15 cups. When halving a recipe, try using an 8x8-inch square pan or a 9-inch round pan instead.

• If you’re using a different pan size, aim to keep the food depth similar to the original recipe.

• If you're substituting a glass pan for a metal one, remember to reduce the oven temperature by 25°F.

For more helpful tips, visit Reducing the Size of Recipes.

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.



4-H empowers youth with the skills they need for the future while supporting them in their current journey. 4-H cultivates a generation ready to thrive in an ever-changing world.

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

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

Nebraska Extension education programs abide with the non-discrimination policies of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the United State Department of Agriculture.