Category: Master Gardeners

thanks for your generosity

5/21/2020

Thank you for making Omaha Gives 2020 a huge success! We are so thankful for your generosity as we work to support Nebraska Extension in Douglas and Sarpy counties.

As we move forward in these new times your support allows us to provide continued support of extension programming in the following areas:

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

Thank you to the day’s 36 generous donors. We raised $4245. For the entire Omaha Metro community over $8.5M was raised.

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!

Hope Garden among recipients of Friends' grant

2/17/2020

The Hope Garden Project is a labor of love for members of Faithful Shepherd Presbyterian Church and Douglas-Sarpy County Extension office master gardeners. Now thanks to a grant by the Friends of Extension Foundation, the project will continue to make a difference in providing food security. The garden project was among eight grants awarded by Friends of Extension Foundation totaling more than $6,600.

Since 2010 the Hope Garden Project has produced thousands of pounds of fresh produce benefiting Heartland Hope Mission. Last year alone the garden produced more than 8,000 pounds. Proceeds from the grant will go to purchase seeds, plants, tools and other gardening necessities to make this year equally successful. Additional horticultural recipients include the Explorer 4-H Club, which received funding to teach youth about horticulture, specifically water. In addition, Master gardener scholarships will also be funded and funds received by the group will allow for the purchase of new portable tables for educational events in Douglas and Sarpy Counties.
Other grant recipients include:

The Gears in Motion 4-H Club who received funding to assist in their First Lego League Robotics program and competition. The funds will assist the club with the STEM education program dealing with robots.
The extension office will have new video recording and conference call technology. This new technology is replacing 10+ year old equipment.
A grant was funded to provide education in food safety. The funds will be used to assist the staff who teach in the food and nutrition and food safety areas.
The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation's "Ag in the Classroom" programming. The goal of Ag in the Classroom is to teach youth about food locally, regionally and across the country.

The Friends of Extension Foundation has been offering grants totaling up to $2,500 since 2010. The goal is to assist Nebraska Extension in Douglas and Sarpy Counties with programming. There are two grant cycles each year: one in the spring and fall. Grant categories include; master gardener/horticulture, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), technology, food safety, and agriculture youth education. Funding for the next round of grants is due April 30, 2020.

Grant Information

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:

Join us in celebrating Mother Earth!

4/5/2019

We're joining in on Omaha's largest and longest Earth Day festivities at Elmwood Park on Saturday, April 13. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. come join us to learn more about who we are and what we do. There will be hands on activities including:

Petting rabbits and poultry and talking to 4-H Council members about taking care of these cuddly, cute critters.
Getting "unplugged" with computer science skill basics.
Making a recycled Horticulture project using water bottles and grass seed. Plus participants can enter their completed project in the Sarpy County Fair!
Learning more about 4-H and what it means to be a member.

Master Gardeners will also be on hand to answer questions about plants and vegetables. Plus we will have some information about the foundation which includes information about the Douglas County Fair taking place in July. Rain or shine! Learn more!

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.

Friends celebrates Earth Day

4/21/2018

Friends of Foundation volunteers had a great time at Omaha's Earth Day celebration April 21. The annual event took place at Elmwood Park.

Master Gardeners answered questions on plant and weed issues and also gave away free seeds. 4-H'ers were also on hand to show off furry friends including rabbits and chickens along with various exhibits they've entered into the fair along with the ribbons they won. Check out the Facebook video for more information.

Awards recognition luncheon

2/28/2018

More than 100 friends turned out for the Awards Recognition luncheon sponsored by Midwest Laboratories Inc. The inaugural event sponsored by Friends of Extension Foundation took place February 27 at Anthony's Steakhouse. 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 Matt Gunderson kicked off the luncheon and introduced Brent Pohlman, president of Midwest Laboratories Inc., who sponsored the event. Here's a complete list of the 2018 honorees and additional information about them: