Visit extension.unl.edu for more information. Nebraska Extension - Fillmore Co. 1340 G Street Geneva, NE 68361 402-759-3712 | [email protected] February 2017 Narrative Report Brandy VanDeWalle Extension Educator, Fillmore/Clay Counties Agriculture Cropping Systems & Risk Management In Fillmore County, I taught 140 farmers from five counties about updates on pesticide safety, regulations and other issues impacting usage of pesticides, including herbicide resistance issues. I shared some results from the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network as well. I coordinated the Farmers & Ranchers College program on February 22 nd on Strengthening Nebraska’s Ag Economy initiative. Specifically, I taught farmers about the components that go on balance sheets, basic cash flow sheet management and income statements. Three other colleagues taught about farmland leases, crop production practices that reduce costs, livestock production practices that reduce costs, renewing loans in difficult times and basics of financial documents. I also taught participants basic stress management and implications stress can cause in low economic times. There were 24 participants who attended the program; unfortunately with 75-degree weather, not many chose to participate. Those in attendance remarked about how good the program was though. Sixty-three women involved in agriculture attended the Tips & Tricks for the Ag Woman, which was the last of the 2016-17 Farmers & Ranchers College programs. Debbie Lyons-Blythe, a Kansas mom and rancher provided an uplifting presentation on the important role women have in agricultural production. Her message also provided basic ‘agvocacy’ tips that can be used when speaking with non- agricultural consumers. As a blogger of the kidscowsandgrass.com, her message resonated well with participants who recorded they were extremely satisfied with the program. Crops - Youth The 2 nd Annual Regional Youth Crop Scouting Competition will be held in Indiana in August; I met with ISU and Purdue extension faculty to start the planning stages for the program. Upcoming Events: March 2 nd - Pesticide Safety Ed Program, Bruning March 3 rd - Eclipse Planning March 3 rd - CWF Planning, York March 6 th - Fillmore Co. Ext. Bd March 8 th - State Fair Webinar March 9 th - Southeast District Visioning w/ Maria Walker March 10 th - CSI workshop, Geneva March 10 th - CSI workshop, Clay Center March 13 th - Clover Kid Club Mtg. (Fillmore Co.) March 14 th - Clover Kid Club Mtg., (Clay Co.) March 15 th - County Website Web March 16 th - 4-H Educator Training March 17-18 th - Geneva Rural Living Expo March 20-21 st - NW Missouri State student shadowing me March 21 st - Clay Co. 4-H Open House March 22 nd - FCDC Bd Mtg. March 27 th - Clay Co. 4-H Council Mtg. March 29 th - Evaluation w/ John Westra March 30 th - EAB workshop, Clay Center April 3 rd - Fillmore Co. Ext. Board