Blog Posts

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.

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

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.

Friends, we need your help on #GivingTuesday

12/1/2019

You've gobbled up the turkey and stuffing, braved the Black Friday crowds and taken advantage of Cyber Monday's deals, now it's time for #GivingTuesday402. Powered by SHARE Omaha, #GivingTuesday402 is a metro-wide, do good takeover. Please consider supporting Friends in their efforts to support and enhance extension in the following areas:

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

Learn more or give here now!

Donate Now

2019 Fall grant Cycle -- Due October 31, 2019.

10/8/2019

Live link:
https://www.friendsofextension.org/grants.html

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.

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:

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!

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