Category: Friends Of Foundation

Get the buzz on bees

12/17/2019

Jody Green, Ph.D., knows a thing or two about bees. An Urban Entomologist and Assistant Extension Educator for Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties, Jody's buzzing to share her knowledge of these important pollinators to you! Join her on Saturday, January 11 at 9 a.m. for Bee There or Bee Square. Jody's specialty is helping people live in harmony with insects and appreciate the benefits they provide. The presentation will take place at the extension office and she will break down the facts of solitary bees, native bees that are not social but are the work horses of bees. Not to be confused with honey bees, there are more than 4,000 species of native bees and many are unique and fun to observe as they forage for food. There is a $5 fee taken at the door. For that and other details, please visit the Facebook Event Page.

Thanks for your generosity

5/24/2019

A huge thanks to the 32 generous donors who are helping support Nebraska Extension educational programs and services in Douglas and Sarpy counties as part of Omaha Gives! The 24-hour charitable day of giving, now in its seventh year, raised a total of $6.7 million to support community nonprofits including Friends of Foundation Extension. Thanks to you, we raised $2,855 to help in the following areas:

4-H Youth Development
Food, Nutrition & Health
Water, Natural Resources and the Environment

Friends is excited to celebrate Omaha Gives!

5/13/2019

Please consider making a donation to Friends of Extension Foundation during Omaha Gives! Day, a 24-hour, online giving event organized annually by the Omaha Community Foundation to grow philanthropy in the metro area (Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie Counties). The minimum donation is $10 and there is no maximum. The goal is to inspire the community to come together for 24 hours to contribute as many charitable dollars as possible to support the work of local nonprofit organizations. Omaha Gives! is based on other successful giving days hosted by community foundations across the country.

Donate Now!

Awards luncheon recap

4/5/2019

Nearly 70 friends were on hand for the Awards Recognition luncheon presented by Midwest Laboratories, Inc. The event, now in its second year, is sponsored by Friends of Extension Foundation and took place March 22 at Happy Hollow Country Club. Honorees included local organizations, non-profits and community members who give of their time and talents in support of Extension efforts in Douglas and Sarpy counties. Foundation President Mike Pallas kicked off the luncheon and introduced the 2019 honorees. Here's some photos and information about them:

Learn how to become a farmer, in the city!

3/29/2019

Grow a green thumb when you learn the secrets to growing vegetables in containers and small spaces. John Porter, Urban Agriculture program coordinator with the Nebraska Extension, will share his tips and tips during The Ultimate Urban Container Workshop taking place on Saturday, April 6. The workshop takes place from 9 a.m. to noon at the Nebraska Extension Office at 8015 West Center Road. The cost to attend is a non-perishable food item or cash donation to Food Bank for the Heartland.

The seminar is sponsored by the Friends of Extension Foundation. The Master Gardeners annually host a horticulture seminar as part of their raffle efforts. Consider joining us at the extension office April 6.
Learn more.

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.

Cake and conversation

5/7/2018

Friends of Extension Foundation celebrated the opening of their new office by hosting an open house. Dozens of friends came out for cake and conversation Monday, May 7 from 4-6 p.m. The new location is:

7101 Mercy Rd. Suite 108, Omaha, Nebraska 68106
402-680-8442
[email protected]

Fresh look in the New Year

1/18/2018

We're excited to unveil our new logo designed by a Douglas County 4-H alumni. The new look with the hands in the shape of a tree aligns more closely with our mission to support and grow the impact of NE Extension in Douglas and Sarpy counties. The logo also represents our goal of reaching out to the community and educating the public about the Extension’s four focus areas including:

4-H Youth Development (represented by the 4-H green stars)
Families (represented by the yellow stars)
Nutrition & Food Safety (represented by the orange stars)
Environment (represented by the NU red stars)

Thanks to Everett Henry, who developed the logo. Please let us know what you think of our new look. Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.