Nebraska Extension in Douglas-Sarpy Counties

08/02/2026

Did you enjoy seeing all the fun at the fair?

Stay in the loop with everything happening in 4-H!

Sign up for our 4-H newsletter to receive program updates, important information, and details about 4-H enrollment for next year, which begins in October/November.

Don't miss out, stay connected and be ready for another great 4-H year! 💚

Sign up at:
https://douglas-sarpy.unl.edu/4-h-youth-development/4-h-newsletter-sign/

08/02/2026

Have you been busy canning this summer?

All that hard work deserves proper storage! Follow these tips to help keep your home-canned foods safe and maintain their quality.

Label and date your jars and store them in a clean, cool, dark, and dry place.

For best results, store canned foods between 50°F and 70°F. Avoid storing jars above 95°F or near hot pipes, a range, furnace, uninsulated attic, or in direct sunlight.

Damp conditions can corrode metal lids, break seals, and allow recontamination and spoilage.

Never taste food from a jar with an unsealed lid or food that shows signs of spoilage.

A little extra care in storage can help protect your hard work all year long!

https://food.unl.edu/storing-home-canned-foods/

08/02/2026

Get ready for renovating lawns by identifying the cause of the decline. Then, address the influence whether it’s an insect, fungus, slope, drought or mowing issue and take steps to improve the lawn’s future performance. Next, spray the bad area with glyphosate; ten days later, power rake the area and rake off the debris with a leaf rake. Lawn debris makes an excellent addition to a compost pile. Seed the lawn with 2-3 pounds of Kentucky bluegrass or 10 pounds of tall fescue per 1,000 sq. ft and then apply a starter fertilizer containing mesotrione. Finally, keep the newly seeded area moist, not soggy/muddy or dry.

See more about this at

We’ve been dealing with the “Dog Days of Summer” for a couple of weeks now. One of the things that go with this time of year are bad looking lawns, many of which need lawn renovation. Mid-August is the time for step 1 of that process.

08/02/2026

📅 Today's Sarpy County Fair Events — Sunday, August 2! 🎉

🐄 6:30–9:30 a.m.
4-H Livestock Released — Livestock Building

🎨 4–5:30 p.m.
4-H Static Exhibits Released — 4-H Building

Thank you for an incredible Sarpy County Fair! 💚🎡

See all the 4-H fair events at https://douglas-sarpy.unl.edu/4-h-youth-development/county-and-state-fair-resources/

under the 'Fair Schedule of 4‐H Events" tab

08/01/2026

Get the Most from Your Fruit Budget!

Did you know some fruits continue to ripen after they are picked? Ripen these fruits at room temperature, then move them to the refrigerator once they are ripe. Want to speed up the process? Place them in a ripening bowl or a loosely closed brown paper bag at room temperature.

Other fruits should be purchased ripe. For the best quality, store them in the refrigerator after purchase.

Learn from our experts how to get the best quality from your fruit and make the most of your grocery budget!

https://food.unl.edu/article/fruits-continue-ripen-after-picking/

08/01/2026

4-Hers are busy getting the float ready! Look for us at the Sarpy County Parade at 10 in Springfield.

08/01/2026

📅 Today's Sarpy County Fair 4-H Events — Saturday, August 1! 🎉

🎉 10 a.m.
Sarpy County Fair Parade — Main Street

🏛️ 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
4-H Building Open — 4-H Building

🐄 11 a.m.
Adult Showmanship Contest — Livestock Building

👗🐖 Noon
Best Dressed Animal Contest — Livestock Building

🏆 1 p.m.
4-H Elite Showmanship Contest — Livestock Building

💰 4 p.m.
4-H Premium Auction — Livestock Building

Come enjoy a fun-filled Saturday at the Sarpy County Fair! 🎡💚

Come out and enjoy the fun! 🎡💚

See all the 4-H fair events at https://douglas-sarpy.unl.edu/4-h-youth-development/county-and-state-fair-resources/

under the 'Fair Schedule of 4‐H Events" tab

07/31/2026

Houseplants moved outside for the summer can reap the benefits of additional light, humidity and temperature that resembles the tropical climate where they are native. Keeping them moist and providing them with a light fertilization in early August will help them thrive, however, plans should be made for moving them back indoors in early September.

07/31/2026

📅 Today's Sarpy County Fair 4-H Events — Friday, July 31! 🎉

🐐 8 a.m.
Dairy Goat Show — Livestock Building

🐐 9:30 a.m.
Pygmy & Fainting Goat Show — Livestock Building

🐄 9:30 a.m.
Bucket Calf Interviews — Open Air

🏛️ 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
4-H Building Open — 4-H Building

🐄 11:30 a.m.
Bucket Calf Show — Livestock Building

🐂 1 p.m.
Beef Show — Livestock Building

🥧 5 p.m.
4-H Council Pie Auction — Open Air

🤠 8 p.m.
Rodeo (4-H section tickets available!) — Rodeo Arena

🏆 8 p.m.
Parade of Champions — Rodeo Arena

There's lots happening at the Sarpy County Fair today! Come out and enjoy the fun! 🎡💚

See all the 4-H events at https://douglas-sarpy.unl.edu/4-h-youth-development/county-and-state-fair-resources/

under the 'Fair Schedule of 4‐H Events" tab

07/30/2026

Nebraska Extension is keeping kids moving this summer!

Our Health and Wellbeing team members are spending the summer sharing their passion for healthy choices and active lifestyles with local youth. We're excited to help jumpstart long-lasting healthy behaviors through movement, goals and fun!