Douglas-Sarpy@unl.edu

(402) 444-7804

June 2025

Buzzing Into Action - The Power of Nebraska's Insect Pollinators

Join Dr. Jody Green as she shines a spotlight on pollinators. Learn how to attract, identify, appreciate, and conserve these vital creatures, and take steps to protect the essential role they play in our ecosystems.

When: June 10, 2025

Time: 6-7:30 pm

Where: UNL Douglas-Sarpy Extension Office, 8015 West Center Road, Omaha

Limited seating, be sure to reserve your spot today here.

This event is free to attend, but participants can donate non-perishable food item for our Free Little Pantry on-site or you can make a donation to the Friends of Extension Foundation - https://www.friendsofextension.org/donate.html.

Collaboration in Action: UNMC & Nebraska Extension Making a Difference

UNMC, Nebraska Extension, and the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) have been working together to improve public health across Nebraska. Recently, Dr. Jody Green and Audra Losey presented on impactful, community-based projects happening in the Omaha metro area.

Dr. Jody Green is involved in a partnership between UNMC and Extension focused on advancing the scientific understanding of tick-borne diseases. The collaboration also empowers the public with timely, research-based information about potential pathogen exposure. As part of these efforts, the UNMC College of Public Health offers free tick testing for submitted specimens. Learn how to submit tick samples here.how to submit tick samples here.

Jody is pictured below with Shaun Cross with UNMC, both wearing educational costumes that highlight common tick “hot spots” on the body—areas to carefully check during daily tick inspections.

Audra Losey, RDN, is pictured presenting about Nebraska Extension's collaboration with the University of Nebraska Medical Center's (UNMC) Master of Medical Nutrition program. As part of this partnership, Nebraska Extension serves as a community nutrition rotation site, hosting approximately eight dietetics interns annually and providing them with hands-on experiences in public health nutrition and community engagement under Losey's mentorship.

Nebraska Extension remains committed to building strong partnerships and serving as a trusted, science-based resource for our communities.

Summer Events

Canning Class

Preserve with confidence! Join Nancy Urbanec as she shares expert canning techniques and essential food safety tips to ensure your home-preserved goodies stay fresh and delicious.

When: July 12, 2025

Time: 9-10 am

Where: 8015 West Center Road, Omaha

Cost: 15 pre-registration, $20 at the door

Sign up at go.unl.edu/gbr

Please note, Nancy will be demonstrating canning, this will not be a hands-on class.

Douglas County Fair

The public is invited to participate by entering their best homemade goods, beautiful pictures, or amazing quilts. This is a great opportunity to showcase your skills!

Whether you're a seasoned fair participant or a first-time entrant, we encourage everyone to get involved in the community and participate in friendly competition.

For full contest details, including rules, entry fees, deadlines, and drop-off instructions, please visit https://www.douglascountyfair.org.

Cottage Food Producer Live Virtual Class

Nebraska’s cottage food law empowers individuals to produce and sell homemade foods directly to consumers, supporting local entrepreneurship.

Nebraska Extension is offering a live Zoom training for individuals who would like to become a registered cottage food producer. This course meets the training requirements in LB 262, part of the Nebraska Pure Food Act.

When: June 4, 2025

Time: 6-7:30 pm

Cost: $25

Register here.

Questions? Contact Cindy Brison at cbrison1@unl.edu.

Canning 101: Video Lessons for Beginners

Home canning is a wonderful way to enjoy the fruits and vegetables of your garden all year long. But it's important to remember that safe canning practices are essential to prevent foodborne illnesses. Every step, from preparation and cooking to sealing, must be done correctly to ensure your food stays safe and shelf-stable.

Using reliable, up-to-date, research-based guidelines is the key to successful home canning. Whether you’re using a water bath or a pressure canner, make sure you're following proven methods.

Want to sharpen your skills? Explore our free home food preservation lessons and learn safe, effective techniques here: https://food.unl.edu/home-food-preservation-lessons

Horticulture Resources for June

Choosing Trees That Last

Don’t miss this informative 50-minute session from the GROBigRed Virtual Learning Series! Nebraska Extension Educator Elizabeth Exstrom and Nebraska Forest Service Western Community Forester Chrissy Land share expert tips on the best trees to plant in Nebraska—and which ones to avoid, plus the reasons why.

Whether you're planting your first tree or updating your landscape, this video will help you make informed, long-lasting choices.

Watch here and grow with confidence!

Summer Lawn Care



During the summer months, it's best to mow your lawn at a height of about 3 inches. This height helps keep the grass healthy by shading the soil, reducing water loss, and encouraging deeper root growth. In fact, 3 inches is also an ideal mowing height for both spring and fall, making it a good year-round guideline for cool-season grasses.

Be sure to bag those clippings and put them to good use, either add them to your compost pile or use them as mulch around vegetable plants to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Our Extension Experts on Backyard Farmer



Backyard Farmer is a cooperative television program produced by University of Nebraska - Lincoln and Nebraska Public Media. From lawns and landscapes to fruits, vegetables, and trees, Backyard Farmer connects viewers with Extension experts to help them grow smarter, healthier, and more beautiful outdoor spaces.

See previous episodes here.

Ask our Backyard Farmer experts a question here. Your question may be featured on the TV show!

Tick Season Reminder: Check Yourself, Your Kids, and Your Pets

Here are some TICK TIPS to help protect yourself and your family:

• Stay up to date on regular tick treatments for pets.
• Check pets daily and remove any ticks promptly.
• If pets sleep in your bed, use light-colored sheets to spot ticks more easily.
• Take a bath or shower every night and do a full-body tick check.
• Pay special attention to the scalps of young children—especially after recess, field trips, or time outdoors.
• Toss outdoor clothing into a hot dryer for 20 minutes to kill any ticks that may have hitched a ride.
• Use pointy tweezers to remove attached ticks from skin.
• For loose or crawling ticks, use a sticky lint roller or painter's tape—sticky enough to collect them but still easy to peel off for identification.

For more tick prevention tips and resources, visit:

👉 https://nebraskaonehealth.unl.edu/tick-tag-go

Grow Your Skills: This Month’s Horticulture Classes

Featured Extension Food for June

Enjoy big flavor on a budget with our Air Fryer Teriyaki Beef Kabobs! This easy, versatile recipe is perfect for the air fryer or grill and a great way to add more vegetables to your meal. Packed with colorful veggies and tender steak, it's ideal for quick weeknight dinners or summer cookouts.

See the recipe to enjoy them here.

What’s in Season Now?

Seasonal Spotlight: Asparagus

Asparagus is one of spring’s first fresh vegetables—and it's as nutritious as it is delicious! Packed with folate, fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C, asparagus is a powerhouse of health benefits.

Even better? It’s quick to prepare—ready in just 3 to 5 minutes. Try it stir-fried with a little olive oil, garlic, and black pepper for a simple, flavorful side. Or serve it chilled with a zesty mustard vinaigrette for a refreshing twist.

Enjoy the taste of spring with this versatile veggie!

Rhubarb: A Tart Taste of Spring

Rhubarb is one of spring’s earliest seasonal treats! While only the stalks are safe to eat, they offer a rich, tart flavor that's perfect for both sweet and savory dishes.

This vibrant veggie is also a great source of vitamins C and K, along with fiber and potassium, making it as nutritious as it is flavorful.

Looking for a new way to enjoy rhubarb? Try our Strawberry Rhubarb Quinoa Porridge—a delicious twist on a classic combination!



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