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The following are recent events that have had an impact in the
Douglas and Sarpy Counties:
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images for larger view)
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4-H School Enrichment |
Douglas/Sarpy 4-H has begun teaching a series of
innovative new science enrichment classes. This programming uses
hands-on science experiments to teach physics and chemistry principles.
These programs are utilized by educators to enhance their science
curriculum.

The classes are taught to students in kindergarten
through high school. In 2006 the Douglas/Sarpy 4-H program taught more
than 12,000 students through classroom visits, presentations and home
school 4-H.
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Empowering Healthier Dietary Choices |
UNL Douglas/Sarpy Extension nutrition staff focus on
educating residents about how they can make choices that will improve
their overall health. In order to better accomplish these goals,
specific classes and programs are created to meet clients’ ever
expanding needs. Research estimates that for every $1 spent on
extension’s nutrition education classes, $9 is saved in long-term health
care costs.
These classes are offered at a variety of times and
places throughout the Omaha-metro area with the goal of offering
knowledge that will enable clientele to make lifestyle and dietary
choices that will improve their quality of life. Some of these programs
and classes include the Nutrition Education Program, bilingual classes,
school enrichment and cooking classes.
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Building Strong Neighborhoods |
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension’s Urban
Educator, Mark Simmons, connects members of the community with Extension
resources. He does this is through the Neighborhood Builders program,
Beyond Builders: LeadershipPlenty, and other collaborative programs.
Neighborhood Builders focuses on helping members from
neighborhood associations to build on their neighborhood assets,
planning and organizing, utilizing community resources and problem
solving.
Beyond Builders: LeadershipPlenty training teaches
skills needed for community problem solving. The curriculum embraces the
belief that communities have people with untapped talents which, when
put to use, can improve their neighborhoods. Simmons delivered this
program to help neighborhoods target new leadership, and provide those
potential new leaders with the individual skills and confidence to
emerge into community leadership roles. At the conclusion of the
program, 83 percent of respondents anticipated working with new partners
and resources gained through the sessions to address neighborhood
issues.
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Living Safely With Lead |
UNL Douglas/Sarpy Extension helps to prevent exposure to lead
based paint and soil containing lead through educational
workshops and presentations with the Living Safely with Lead materials.
Living Safely with Lead teaches people how to reduce lead poisoning
through behavior changes. This curriculum was created by UNL Extension
and is being showcased across the county.
This cutting-edge programming is especially pertinent
in Omaha where dangerously high levels of lead have been found in the
soil, and paint. Lead poisoning can result in irreversible developmental
problems. Fortunately lead poisoning can be prevented through education
and proactive behavior changes. The Living Safely with Lead through
landscaping project. This project gives participants hands on
experiences through workshops in yards, in their neighborhoods, showing
people how to protect their families from lead exposure.
These efforts are now a part of a large collaborative
effort to reduce lead exposure in the Omaha-Metropolitan area.
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Helping Henry Doorly Zoo |
For over 13 years Extension Associate Professor,
Dennis Ferraro has instructed staff at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo about
the unique entomology issues involved with the Lied Jungle and in recent
years the Desert Dome. Ferraro has offered guidance on pesticide
application and has helped the zoo maintain the facility's exotic plants
and animals.
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Master Gardeners |
Master Gardeners in Douglas and Sarpy Counties
voluntee r
over 10,000 hours a year, providing horticulture and gardening
information to the public.
Master Gardeners also plant and maintain demonstration
gardens that show the public how to properly garden. One of these
gardens is the Helping Omaha’s People Eat, H.O.P.E., Garden. In 2006
this garden raised 2 1/2 tons of produce for the Omaha Food Pantry.
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Operation Military Kids |
Operation Military Kids is a nationwide initiative
that provides a unique support system specifically for the children of
families that are impacted by the Global War on Terrorism. This program
is thriving in Douglas/Sarpy Counties thanks in part to the 4-H
programming offered at Offutt Air Force Base’s youth center throughout
the summer and during after school programs.
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ServSafe |
ServSafe is a nationally recognized class taught by
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension to over 800 food service
employees year. It is an intense training that focuses on proper food
safety procedures.
ServSafe also is taught by University of
Nebraska-Lincoln Extension staff at Metropolitan Community College.
Students can take ServSafe at the community college and then transfer
their credits to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Culinary Arts
Program. This collaborative effort between a university and a community
college is nationally accredited and is one of the first of it’s kind.
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