Upcoming Events:
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March 4 – NCEA, Ag Section., 10 a.m.
Narrative Report for February 1-28, 2013
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March 5 – Staff Mtg., 9 a.m.
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March 5 – Reading Across the
Community, 12:30 p.m.
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March 7 – NE Ag Ed Soils Project, 24:00 p.m.
Brandy VanDeWalle, UNL Extension Educator
Fillmore County
Crops for the Future
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March 12 – Evaluation Conf. with
Susan, 1:00 p.m., York
Irrigated Cropping Systems
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March 12 – Extension Bd. Mtg., 5:30
p.m., followed by Ext. Bd. In-service,
York
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March 13 – Thayer Co. Leadership
Class, 9-10:00 a.m., Hebron
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March 13 – EPA P-3 Intern Interview,
3 p.m.
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March 15 – On-Farm Research App
Mtg., East Campus, 10 a.m.
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March 18 – NE Action for Healthy
Kids Summit, 8-4:00 p.m., Lincoln
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March 19 – Odegeo presentation,
8:30 a.m.
Pesticide Safety Education programs are important to
remind agricultural producers to practice appropriate and safe
procedures when handling pesticides. This year I taught four sessions
in Fillmore & Thayer Counties with 134 producers attending. In
addition to required content, I taught producers about irrigation
management strategies and the Nebraska On-Farm Research
Network.
I am taking the lead on developing an On-Farm Research App
for smartphones and iPads. I developed a preliminary design for the
Ed Media designers. I also participated in the On-Farm Research
Network seminar to recruit new and maintain existing producers.
During the Geneva Home and Garden Show, we featured the
Nebraska Agricultural Water Management Network display and
provided an awareness of other programming UNL Extension offers
to over 500 people.
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March 20 – SREC Unit Leaders
Training, 9:30-4:00 p.m.
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March 21 – FCDC Bd. Mtg., Noon
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April 1 – On-Farm Research Meeting,
1-4:00 p.m., York
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April 2 – Staff Mtg., 9:00 a.m.
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April 3 – PSEP Forum, 10:00 a.m.
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April 3 – 4-H Council Mtg., 7:00 p.m.
Risk Management
I hosted a Cornhusker Economic Outlook program in
Geneva which provided participants an overview of grain and
livestock markets and an update on farm bill policy. Thirty-two
participants from seven counties participated.
Plans are underway for the final Farmers & Ranchers College
program for the 2012-13 programming year to be held March 14th in
Milligan on family farm transitioning.
Youth Development
The Innovative Youth Corn Challenge is in its second year; I’ve been recruiting teams and
again orchestrating this year’s program. As a team member of the Nebraska Agricultural Education
Soils Project, I have presenters secured for the June 4th conference. In addition, I am working with a
curriculum consultant to develop curriculum for each of the soil quality tests that were conducted;
this will provide more in depth information for teachers and include lesson plans, power point slides
and other appropriate media.
As a recruitment contact, I participated in the SREC Student Recruitment planning session.
We brainstormed ways to engage other faculty with student recruitment and educational programs
for youth. I participated in Fillmore County Government Day, where I assisted in the development of
a Jeopardy trivia game and informed youth what UNL Extension is and programs conducted.
I almost have the 2013 Progressive Ag Safety Day schedule complete. Continued planning for
2013 4-H programs was done during an annual staff meeting. Megan and I attended the Water
Jamboree planning meeting which is conducted in collaboration with the Little Blue and Upper Big
Blue NRDs. I also have been working with a volunteer on setting up a shooting sports club in Fillmore
County. He will attend the required training and seek feedback from his potential members if they
would like to start a 4-H club.
Miscellaneous
I continue to serve on the Fillmore County Development Corporation Board of Directors and
facilitated a 2013 strategic planning session. I attended the FCDC Annual Meeting which featured
speakers from the “Dream It, Do It” program which helps develop tomorrow’s skilled workforce.
I have been working with the NCEA Ag Section Board of Directors to help South Dakota with
funding for the 2015 NACAA AMPIC in South Dakota. Also as the NCEA conference committee
entertainment subcommittee, I have been working on a program for all faculty/staff.
Personal Columns
February 6th – Women in Agriculture Conference
February 13th – Cornhusker Economic Outlook Conference
February 20th - Innovative Youth Corn Challenge
February 27th – Chemigation Courses