Platte Co. Extension Happenings
February 2026
Nebraska 4-H Launch Programs for Early Youth Engagement
Nebraska 4-H is implementing an exciting statewide initiative designed to strengthen the consistency, accessibility, and impact of youth programming across all counties. This new approach introduces Foundational Programs, a set of early learning experiences created specifically for children in fifth grade and below. These programs are aligned with the Nebraska 4-H Youth Development Strategic Plan, the national Beyond Ready initiative, and recent updates to the 4-H Framework. Together, these efforts ensure that all young people in Nebraska have the opportunity to explore new interests, build essential skills, and discover potential sparks that inspire their future pathways.
Foundational Programs are intentionally structured to provide approximately three hours of hands-on, multimodal learning that can be delivered in classrooms, after-school programs, clubs, camps, and community settings. The lessons selected for each program use materials already available in most Extension offices, and electronic access makes implementation consistent across the state. Beginning in the 2025–2026 4-H year, each Extension staff member will deliver two foundational programs, with at least one offered within their assigned accountability region. By the following year, all four programs will be fully delivered statewide.
Each of the four 4-H Focus Teams has adopted one foundational program tailored to a specific grade level. The Ag & Food Systems Focus Team will implement AgCiting Science!, an engaging program for second and third graders that helps youth explore the world of agriculture by examining food systems, farms, and the natural processes that bring food to their tables. Through lessons such as learning about the agricultural world around them, exploring how pizza ingredients originate from the farm, understanding dairy production, discovering the story of popcorn, and following the pumpkin life cycle, youth gain a clearer understanding of how agriculture impacts their daily lives.
For older elementary youth, the College & Career Pathways Focus Team is implementing SmartCents, a program designed for fifth graders that introduces financial literacy and career awareness. Youth begin by learning about their individual money personalities before moving into lessons that help them understand smart financial decision making, the difference between needs and wants, the realities of earning income, and how career choices shape their financial futures. SmartCents gives students a meaningful early foundation in personal finance and workplace readiness.
The Health & Wellness Focus Team is offering Health Rocks!, designed for third and fourth graders. This program emphasizes healthy decision making and positive relationships by guiding youth through lessons that encourage them to reflect on what qualities make someone a good friend, how they can support younger peers as mentors, how to think through choices with a calm and thoughtful mind, and how friendships create important support systems in their lives. The program encourages cooperation, communication, and emotional well-being.
By Taylor Cammack
Nebraska Extension Platte County - HLES Instructor
A yearly staple of Christmas time, Amaryllis provides a profusion of colorful flowers for the holidays. Now that the holidays are over and the flowers have started to fade, what do you do with it? While the plants can be discarded once they are done blooming, if you are feeling adventurous, you can let the flowering bulbs continue to grow and get them to rebloom year after year!
Amaryllis are part of the Amaryllidaceae family, along with surprise lilies and daffodils. They are primarily native to tropical areas of Central and South America. These flowering bulbs can be kept as a houseplant in the winter months and taken outside once the risk of frost has passed.
To get an Amaryllis to rebloom, the key is to keep the plants actively growing after they are done flowering. After the flowers start to fade, remove the spent flowers. This keeps the plants from putting on seed, which can take energy away from the bulb. The remaining flowering stalk will eventually turn yellow and can then be removed. If it’s still green, that is still creating energy.
Place the amaryllis in a sunny window and let the plant grow over the with plenty of light. The plant will produce long, strap-like leaves. Water the plant once the soil is nearly dry. Regular fertilization with a balanced all-purpose fertilizer also helps the plant store energy to rebloom.
The plants can be kept as houseplants or moved outside once the risk of frost has passed. Acclimatize the plant by moving it initially to a shady, protected spot outside. After several days, you can gradually expose the plant to more direct sunlight. Be sure to continue watering and regular fertilizing throughout the summer. The plants should be brought indoors around mid-September.
Amaryllis bulbs covered in wax are also a common sight in box stores. This waxed bulb provides a no-watering option for enjoying the blooms. These are intended as single-use flowering bulbs, but you can save the bulb inside if you are diligent about caring for it. Once the blooms are fading, remove the flowers. Then you can score the wax on the bulb, taking care not to cut into the bulb itself. Peel off the wax and pot up the bulb in potting soil. Amaryllis bulbs are typically planted with part of the bulb peeking out above the soil level. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. The bulb will initially not have any roots, but after several weeks of growing, it should start to put out new roots. These bulbs may take more care and time before they rebloom. They do not take up any water when they flower in the wax, instead using only the stored energy in the bulb to flower.
To get the plants to rebloom, you will need to expose the plants to cooler temperatures, around 50 to 55 degrees, for 8-10 weeks. This cooling requirement gets the bulb ready to start its blooming cycle over again. This can be done by placing the plant in a semi-dark location and withholding water, which causes the plants to go dormant. It can also be done by placing the plant in a well-lit but cool location and continuing to water, which allows the plant to keep the foliage but still meets the chilling requirement. Once the 8-10 weeks are up, move the plant back to a sunny location where the temperatures reach 70-75 degrees. The plant should soon send up a new flowering stalk.
If the plant fails to bloom, this is usually because the plant has not stored enough energy in the bulb. Keep caring for the plant and try again next year!
Amaryllis are a great flowering bulb that can be kept for years. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, it may be a good plant to challenge yourself with.
