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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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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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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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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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 in Douglas and Sarpy Counties volunteer 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 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 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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