Category: Douglas County Fair

Help us, Friends, make an impact on Omaha Gives!

5/1/2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is touching the lives of each of us and putting a greater emphasis on the economic and social gaps affecting our neighbors and our communities.

That's why donating to the Friends of Extension Foundation is more critical than ever. Your support will help Douglas and Sarpy county youth and adults continue to make the best better in their own backyards.

In the past year, thanks to your support, we've been able to make an impact in the following ways:

4-H:

Urban Agriculture initiative, focused on new plant starts for educational gardening.
Early childhood education called Learning with Nature.
Stephen’s Center 4-H garden project.
Leadership education for the 4-H ambassador program.

Natural Resources and the Environment:

Weather Station, housed at the extension office, provides up-to-date horticulture weather information to the community.
Chuck Blanchard Demonstration Garden support, located at the extension office.
Support for all the horticulture demonstration gardens in Douglas and Sarpy Counties including: Veterans Home, Hospice House garden, Walnut Creek, Health Center, Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center, the Bee garden and the Hope garden.
Production of a new garden journal for the community.

Other:

Douglas County Fair support for Extension Educational presentations teaching food safety, using a blender bike to teach nutrition and ask the Master Gardener.
Extension office general support.

May 20, 2020 marks Omaha Gives!, a 24-hour online fundraising event organized by the Omaha Community Foundation. The goal is to raise support for nonprofits in Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie Counties. It is a community-wide event to show off the area’s spirit of giving, raise awareness about local nonprofits, and celebrate the collective effort it takes to make this community great. Since 2013, this community give-together has raised $49 million for more than 1,000 nonprofits

You can help us continue to make a difference in our community by scheduling your gift beginning May 1 or making a donation on May 20. Have more fun–give both ways!

Give now!

Douglas County Fair announces new manager

2/25/2020

The Douglas County Fair has named a new fair manager with an extensive background in 4-H and Extension. Kori Jensen says growing up in a 4-H family, county fairs and livestock shows were a huge part of her life. Previous to her current role, she taught Agriscience classes for seven years as well as being a Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor. She also served as the Director for Nebraska HOSA – Future Health Professions for four years and has done consulting and volunteer work with a variety of nonprofits and small businesses. Together, Kori and husband, Aaron, have three children: Everett, 9; Kellen, 7; and Hattie 1. The Jensens live on an acreage near Arlington, Nebraska. When Kori isn’t working, she can often be found attending her children's sports, 4-H and boy scout events, planning her family’s next travel adventure, chatting with her three former exchange students, gardening or volunteering. She is excited to be a part of the Douglas County Fair and looks forward to sharing her passion for agriculture and agricultural literacy.

"We are excited to have Kori on board. She brings a vast amount of experience and understands what it takes to create a successful event. Combined with her ability to educate adults and youth on topics surrounding agriculture literacy fulfills the fair's mission of 'Where Urban and Rural Meet,'” said Vernon Waldren, director of Friends of Extension.

The Douglas County Fair runs from July 10-12, 2020.

Brooks to manage Douglas County Fair

5/24/2019

Debra Brooks has been hired as fair manager of the Douglas County Fair. Brooks brings more than 20 years of marketing, graphic design and event planning to the role. The fair, now in its 161st consecutive year, is hosted by the Friends of Extension Foundation and includes educational exhibits, live music, a parade and livestock shows.

Douglas County Fair festivities kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 11 and run through Sunday, July 14, 2019. In keeping with the theme "Where Urban Meets Rural" for the second year the fair will be have a presence at two locations: Village Pointe which showcases interactive exhibits, displays and contests and Chance Ridge Event Center which showcases livestock and small animal events along with a petting zoo. Metro Community College's Elkhorn Campus will provide shuttle pick-up/drop off and free parking. For a complete schedule and list of activities, please visit: https://www.douglascountyfair.org/ .

In addition to her current role, Brooks also serves as the communications director and executive assistant at the Happy Hollow Club.

VERNON WALDREN Inducted into NATIONAL 4-H HALL OF FAME

10/23/2018

Vernon Waldren was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame on Oct. 19, 2018 for his lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H.

Honored by the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA), Waldren was one of 15 people inducted during the ceremony at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

The National 4-H Hall of Fame honorees are nominated by their home states, National 4-H Council; the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA); or 4-H National Headquarters/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) based upon their exceptional leadership at the local, state, national and international levels.

Honorees were presented with a National 4-H Hall of Fame medallion, plaque and memory book during the ceremony. The National 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002 as part of the Centennial Project of the NAE4-HA in partnership with National 4-H Council and National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA.

“We are proud to recognize the 2018 National 4-H Hall of Fame honorees for the passion, dedication, vision and leadership they have shown toward young people during their many years of service to 4-H,” says Jeannette Rea Keywood, National 4-H Hall of Fame Committee Chair.

Vernon Waldren, a Kansas 4-H alumnus, devoted 37-years developing, teaching and facilitating youth and adult volunteers to become leaders. Starting his Extension career in Sarpy County with a split appointment of agriculture and 4-H, Vernon moved to Douglas County with a split appointment and finished his career as the unit leader of the combined Douglas/Sarpy Counties. As a co-coordinator of Nebraska’s largest 4-H program, Douglas/Sarpy 4-H reached 30,000 youth annually through its varied delivery methods under Vernon’s supervision from 1976 through 2013.

Vernon’s areas of focus included leadership, Science, Engineering, Technology and Math (STEM), and citizenship education. His philosophy concerning youth was that young people are resources for 4-H and not just for teaching. Vernon’s goal was to include youth in leadership roles, and he did so by having youth serve on planning committees and Extension governing boards, mentoring more than 500 youth on these boards. He also gave leadership to the Aksarben 4-H Livestock Show, the “largest 4-H youth livestock show in the world”, school outreach program, reaching over 2,000 4th grade youth annually.

From 1981 until 1999, Vernon directed the local unit’s Citizenship Washington Focus. This program was set-up on a three-year rotation that focused the youth learning on the differing levels of government – county, state and federal. It was during the third year, the youth traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in the Citizenship Washington Focus program conducted by National 4-H Council. Participating in the three-year preparation program, the youth demonstrated knowledge of writing and presenting ideas for policy changes. Throughout these 16 years, 600 youth reported they understood how government and nonprofits operated; plus their individual civic involvement increased throughout the community.

In 1977, Vernon began his long-term commitment with the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) attending his first conference in Columbus, Ohio, and has participated in 35 conferences, acquiring and contributing valuable leadership to NAE4-HA and its members. An early adopter of technology, Vernon assisted with the first NAE4-HA web page reaching the 3,500 members and co-created a VHS video to provide a consistent message for members attending the four regional Joint Council of Extension Professionals meetings. As Chair of Programs Committee, Vernon successfully introduced program task force teams to the current system.

As a member of NAE4-HA’s executive team, Vernon served as the NAE4-HA Treasurer in 1994 and was responsible for $250,000 in assets. Elected president-elect in 1999, Vernon served on a 12-member board to re-evaluate the Board’s structure. Vernon’s presidency launched the new Board structure; however, not without a challenge. Vernon stood firm to the ten-year restructuring plan and won over the membership. The outcome has been renewed professional development opportunities, expanded professional advocacy and increased membership of nearly 1,000 Extension Professionals.

Vernon’s tenure strengthened partnerships with National 4-H Council and 4-H Headquarters. He was a catalyst for National 4-H Council to extend NAE4-HA the 501(c) 3 foundation to further the NAE4-HA’s opportunities for financial gifts. Meanwhile, he served on USDA 4-H Headquarter’s 4-H Name and Emblem Working Group to maintain integrity of the 4-H Clover for millions across the nation. Plus, gave leadership as JCEP Liaison for the Galaxy Conference that brought together Extension Professionals from differing associations in 2003.

In 2011, Vernon served as a tri-chair for the NAE4-HA Conference in Omaha. Retirement has not found Vernon resting as he is serving as the executive director for the Douglas/Sarpy Friends of Extension & 4-H Foundation, he created in 2003, where current assets exceed $375,000. He co-developed Board Boot Camp/Board Masters curriculum, teaching “Boardsmanhip” to non-profit groups in Nebraska including USDA Rural Development Committees and NACEB Officials. Vernon contributes expertise to other groups but his heart belongs to 4-H, an active NAE4-HA retiree, Vernon finds value in mentoring the next generation of professionals while encourages all professionals to continue making the best better!

A NAE4-HA colleague stated, “Vernon was and is a tremendous leader, whose utmost integrity and passion for the 4-H youth profession, unequivocally sets the bar at the highest level for NAE4HA."

Thanks for making the fair a success!

8/29/2018

On behalf of the 2018 Douglas County Fair, we thank you. Your participation, whether you entered items, exhibited, took part in a educational event/display, listened to a concert or came to the parade, we appreciate your support.

Check out the infographic below of the fair highlights and check out the photos/videos on Facebook.

Also, mark your calendars for the 2019 Douglas County Fair taking place July 11-14.

New theme, venue for the Douglas County Fair

7/12/2018

With the theme "Where urban and rural meet" Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and other county dignitaries helped kick off the 2018 Douglas County Fair with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Village Pointe amphitheater. The fair, now in its 139th year, took place July 12-15, 2018.

In May, fair officials announced Village Pointe shopping center would be the new venue for exhibits on topics including food preservation, quilting and cake decorating in open storefronts. In addition, there would be a parade, educational activities and live bands. Livestock shows and farm equipment would take place at nearby Chance Ridge in Elkhorn. Vernon Waldren serves as the executive director of Douglas County Fair and also Friends of Extension, who said in late May, Douglas County Board voted to dissolve the Douglas County Fair Board. The Friends of Extension & 4-H Douglas/Sarpy County Foundation has taken over running the fair.