Education Commons^™

Sprouting Systems, Abaigeal Aydt, Cassidy Smith

Honors Expanded Learning Clubs

After taking a class at UNL about environmental awareness, two honors students paired up to start a hydroponics club at a local Lincoln school. In reaching out to the LPS director of sustainability, they were paired up with Prescott Elementary School. Over the course of a semester, they developed a club that got a hydroponic grow tower functioning for the school and taught students about nutrition and sustainability. This club is only in its beginning stages, but the impacts that it is making around the school can already be seen.

Green Club After School Program Curriculum, Megan Willburn

Honors Expanded Learning Clubs

Green Club is an after school program which encourages students to develop environmental empathy, passions for environmental sustainability, and knowledge about the workings of environmental systems.

Sustainability Through Profitability: The Triple Bottom Line, Connie I. Reimers-Hild

Kimmel Education and Research Center: Presentations and White Papers

Today’s highly competitive, globalized world requires organizations and businesses to think differently about how they are going to stay in business. Businesses can no longer afford to focus on profits as their sole purpose for existence. Organizations must instead think about the “Triple Bottom Line” and its implications for their ability to grow their brand, customer loyalty and profits.

Nf05-640 Early Literacy Checklist — Classroom, Janet S. Hanna, Kayla M. Hinrichs, Carla J. Mahar, John Defrain

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This checklist represents the kinds of language and literacy development practices often seen in high-quality early childhood environments. The checklist encompasses all children birth to age 5 and is inclusive of the needs of children with disabilities and English language learners.

Nf04-597 Biosecurity And The Poultry Flock, Dan Mcguire, Sheila Scheideler

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

What is Biosecurity? Biosecurity is a modern term created out of a need to protect, in our case poultry, from an intentional or unintentional threat from a biological agent. In our everyday management, biosecurity is an endless endeavor to keep viral disease agents and/or the spread of such disease agents at bay. We have learned from our own personal welfare that by keeping our environment clean, i.e., "cleanliness is next to godliness" and by reducing contact with infected people or animals, i.e., "being a good neighbor," we can reduce our chance of catching or spreading disease. This NebGuide discusses what …

G03-1524 What Is Fair Housing? When Does Discrimination Occur?, Shirley Niemeyer, Ladeane Jha, Alfonza Whitaker

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide will provide you with an overview of housing discrimination. It will provide examples in which discrimination may or may not have occurred. This publication is not intended to serve as a legal document or interpretation of the law. It is provided for awareness and educational purposes only. For more information contact the agencies listed at the end of this publication or legal professionals.

Nf03-589 New Onsite Wastewater Treatment Law Protects Nebraska's People And Environment, Janet R. Hygnstrom, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

New Law Requires Certification to Perform On-site Wastewater Treatment Work

Beginning Jan. 1, 2004, a new Nebraska law allows only certified professionals or Nebraska-licensed professional engineers to perform work on on-site wastewater treatment systems (septic systems and individual lagoons). There is a concern that failing septic systems are having a negative impact on the environment and creating potentially harmful health conditions. This legislation will protect public health and the environment by authorizing development of a certification system so that people in the industry have, and demonstrate, the knowledge base necessary to minimize risks.

This NebFact discusses what this law will …

Nf03-570 Fumonisins In Corn, Jim Stack, Michael Carlson

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

During the past two years, millers have rejected some Nebraska food grade corn because it was contaminated with the mycotoxin fumonisin. Most of the contaminated samples and the highest levels of contamination were detected in corn from counties in the eastern half of Nebraska.

Fumonisins are mycotoxins produced by the grain molds Fusarium verticillioides and Fusarium proliferatum. These fungi are commonly found in corn throughout the United States.

This NebFact discusses the cause and occurrence of fumonisin in corn; the effects it has on plants, animals and humans; and management options to minimize fumonisin contamination.

G02-1444 Medical Sharps Disposal From Livestock Operations, Dicky D. Griffin, Marilyn Buhman

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide explains how to properly dispose of medical sharps (hypodermic needles and scalpel blades) for livestock operations. Understanding this is critical for employee safety and environmental stewardship.

Disposing livestock medical sharps presents two concerns. The first is human safety. Handling livestock medical sharps presents a potential employee safety concern and as such is addressed within the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Second, the disposal of livestock medical sharps presents an environmental hazard and as such is addressed within the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.

Nf02-520 Fungicide Spray Schedule For Home Garden Small Fruits, John E. Watkins, Jernnifer L. Chaky

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Home grown strawberries, raspberries and grapes are a rewarding experience for the gardener as well as the consumer of the fresh fruits and jellies. If properly managed, these crops can be a source of enjoyment for years. To be successful, however, the home gardener must develop a sound integrated pest management (IPM) approach to controlling diseases and insect pests. A good IPM program makes use of cultural, varietal and chemical means of preventing or reducing disease losses.

This NebFact discusses which fungicides to use for which disease of small garden fruits and provides recommendations for a fungicide treatment schedule.

G02-1463 Indoor Air Qualitiy: Know The Asthma Triggers In The Home, Shirley Niemeyer, Sharon Skipton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication discusses asthma triggers sometimes found in the home and possible solutions. It is intended to help manage and reduce possible indoor triggers. Medical professionals should be consulted first and their recommendations followed.

Asthma, a serious lung disease, is the leading cause of long-term illness in children. Asthma affects 112,100 Nebraskans, of whom 75,000 are adults, and 37,100 are youth (1998), and is on the rise. While the U.S. death rate has decreased since 1993, Nebraska's rate has increased to second highest in the nation. The highest death rate is among blacks, females and those 65 years of age …

Ec01-2507 Safe Transport, Storage And Disposal Of Pesticides, Larry D. Schulze, Shripat T. Kamble, Clyde Ogg, Edward F. Vitzthum

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Most accidental pesticide poisonings occur when pesticides are mishandled. Young children area often the victims.

Pesticide accidents can be prevented by careful planning, using a secure storage location, adopting safe handling methods during transport and following proper disposal guidelines for both product and containers.

Ec00-1879 Sorghum Ergot In The Northern Great Plains, Jim Stack

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Sorghum is grown throughout Nebraska on approximately 0.6 million acres of land. It is grown as a forage crop as well as a grain crop. There is no significant commercial seed production in Nebraska. Grain sorghum is used domestically as livestock feed, in ethanol production, and to a limited extent as a food crop.

Grain sorghum is also exported to several countries. All sorghum hybrids (grain and forage) are susceptible to ergot disease. Ergot is a disease that impacts sorghum production directly by infecting unfertilized flowers and preventing seed development. Ergot also impacts sorghum production indirectly. Affected fields with honeydew-covered …

G00-1778 Field Windbreaks, James R. Brandle, Laurie Hodges

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

gricultural producers face many challenges as they try to balance efficient production systems with increasing environmental demands. For these systems to be successful, they must optimize the balance between inputs and final production. Field windbreaks are one way to increase yields while at the same time reducing inputs and improving both environmental quality and production efficiency. Windbreaks reduce wind speed and alter the microclimate in sheltered areas. Field windbreaks reduce wind erosion and the damage to crops caused by wind-blown soil. They improve water use efficiency, reduce risks associated with drought, and manage blowing snow.

Field windbreaks provide positive economic …

G98-1370 Abandonment Planning For Earthen Manure Storages, Holding Ponds And Anaerobic Lagoons, Richard K. Koelsch

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The purpose of this NebGuide is to define some critical issues to be addressed by an abandonment plan of an earthen manure storage, anaerobic lagoon or runoff holding pond.

A Nebraska construction permit for a Livestock Waste Control Facility (LWCF) requires a written plan defining possible abandonment procedures in the event the operation (and associated LWCF) is discontinued. The plan must be approved by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) prior to permit issuance.

Ec97-781 Livestock Systems Environmental Assessment, Richard K. Koelsch

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The goal of this assessment package is to help a livestock producer confidentially evaluate their stewardship of water and air resources. Protecting both the groundwater that supplies your drinking water and the surface waters that provide recreational opportunities is in the interests of every livestock producer. The worksheets will assist you in estimating the quantity of nutrients in the manure from your livestock; guide you through a step-by-step evaluation of your livestock system for possible impacts on water and air quality; and help you identify your operation's enviornmental strengths and weaknesses.

Nf97-332 Contacts For Environmental Issues Affecting Residences Web Sites And Toll-Free And Other Numbers, Shirley Niemeyer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact has information on toll-free and other numbers and addresses dealing with questions relating to the environment and households.

G96-1306 Feeding Dairy Cows To Reduce Nitrogen, Phosphorus, And Potassium Excretion Into The Environment, Rick J. Grant

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses feeding strategies to optimize dairy cow performance while minimizing negative environmental impacts.

Reducing N, P and K Excretion--The Challenge

Increasingly, our society demands livestock production systems that not only produce economic, high-quality food products, but also minimize negative environmental impacts. Feeding management has improved continuously and helps explain increases in milk production averages. The future challenge for dairy producers and nutritionists will be to properly formulate rations for high production levels while simultaneously minimizing the environmental impact of excessive N, P and K excretion in the urine and manure. A realistic approach will be to keep formulation …

Ec95-817 Nebraska Agricultural Producers Preferences For National Agriculture, And Food Policy After 1995, A.L. (Roy) Frederick, Glenn A. Helmers, Steven L. Elmore

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Farmers' preferences are important in the development of farm bills. In that spirit, the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Nebraska Agricultural Statistics Service recently asked a random sample of agricultural producers about their preferences for the 1995 farm bill. Similar surveys were undertaken in 1984 and 1989, prior to the last two farm bills. Each Nebraska survey was part of a larger, national effort. This year, 15 states, scattered across all regions of the United States, participated.

The purpose of this report is to summarize Nebraska producers' views on key issues likely to be …

Ec95-739 Pollution Prevention: A Tool Kit For Farm Cooperatives, Janet R. Hygnstrom, Wayne Woldt, Mohamed F. Dahab

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Would you like to:

• Reduced your operating costs by using fewer materials and supplies
• Reduce hazardous and nonhazardous waste transportation and disposal costs
• Reduce liability and risks associated with hazardous waste?
• Reduce the paperwork and record keeping requirements associated with hazardous waste?
• Improve workplace safety and employee health?
• Help safeguard the environment?
• Improve your company's image?
• Increase your company's business activities?

If you answered "Yes," to any of the above questions, you may want to look at the materials in this pollution prevention tool kit.

Ec95-741 Pollution Prevention: A Tool Kit For Drycleaners, Janet R. Hygnstrom, Wayne Woldt, Mohamed F. Dahab

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Would you like to:

• Reduce your operating costs by using fewer materials and supplies?
• Reduce hazardous and nonhazardous waste transportation and disposal costs?
• Reduce liability and risks associated with hazardous waste?
• Reduce the paperwork and record keeping requirements associated with hazardous waste?
• Improve workplace safety and employee health?
• Help safeguard the environment?
• Improve your company's image?
• Increase your company's business activities?

If you answered "Yes," to any of the above questions, you may want to look at the materials in this pollution prevention tool kit.

Ec95-745 Managing Livestock Odors: Principles, Assessment And Planning, Richard K. Koelsch

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Odors associated with livestock manure represent a growing challenge for livestock producers. Livestock production trends such as more animals per farm and expanded reliance upon manure storage have added to the odor muisance. Implementing other environmentally friendly practices such as manure nutrient management and maintenance of surface crop residues for soil conservation also have resulted in additional odor challenges.

Odors originating from livestock wastes are a common source of irritation between producers and neighbors. Confrontations may lead to more stringent local zoning regulations, greater scrutiny of other farm environmental issues, and litigation.

This publication summarizes the underlying causes of livestock …

G95-1253 Basic Principles Of Mastitis Control, Jeffrey F. Keown, Paul J. Kononoff

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Mastitis in dairy cows is a frustrating, costly, and complex infection. A good, workable, effective preventive control program is presented in this NebGuide.

General Characteristics of Mastitis

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland usually caused by bacterial infection of udder tissues. Except for rare injuries, infectious bacteria or other pathogens, e.g. yeast, fungi, etc., enter the udder through the teat end. Mastitis in both clinical (obvious abnormality, visible to naked eye) and subclinical (unseen signs of abnormality, invisible to nake eye) stages is a frustrating, costly and complex disease that reduces the quality and quantity of milk.

G95-1271 Mastitis Is A Disease -- Control Is An Everyday Task, Gerald R. Bodman, Duane N. Rice

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

A comprehensive mastitis control program will effectively control infections caused by both environmental and contagious pathogens.

Herd mastitis problems can be caused by both environmental and contagious pathogens (disease-causing organisms). These problems may occur separately or simultaneously. Various testing techniques are necessary to determine the type of causative organism and the infection level of the herd or individual cow. Appropriate tests include the CMT (California Mastitis Test), milk market somatic cell count (SCC), Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) SCC and laboratory cultures of milk from infected cows. Depending upon test results, mastitis control strategies may need to be changed to …

G94-1213 Child Care Environment Safety Checklist, Shirley Niemeyer, Michael P. Vogel

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide reviews statistics about child care services and offers suggestions on maintaining a safe environment for children in your care.

Being a child care provider means more than loving children. It means providing a safe environment for and protecting the children in your care so they can explore their world and develop trust.

G93-1191 Glossary Of Water-Related Terms, William L. Kranz, Delynn Hay, James W. Goeke, David Gosselin

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide is a glossary of water quantity, quality and human health related terms involving water. Terms are defined in contexts that could affect Nebraskans. We depend upon water for our very existence. The impact of water quality and quantity issues has never been greater. Yet the terminology used to describe the water we drink, the water we provide to plants and animals, the water stored underground, in lakes, rivers, and oceans, is not well understood by many Nebraskans. This listing of water-related terms is intended to reduce the potential for misunderstanding presentations made by elected officials, environmental agencies and …

G93-1150 Rinsing Pesticide Containers, Larry D. Schulze, Clyde Ogg

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

It is estimated that every year one million plastic agricultural pesticide containers are used in Nebraska. Effective rinsing of these containers saves money, protects the environment and meets federal and state regulations on pesticide use.

Proper rinsing of pesticide containers is easy to do, saves money and helps protect people and the environment. It also helps prevent potential problems with unrinsed containers and storage of the rinse solution (rinsate). Even during a busy season, the few extra minutes it takes to properly rinse empty pesticide containers is time well spent.

G91-1022 Guide To Growing Houseplants, Don Steinegger, Frederick P. Baxendale, John E. Watkins

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Proper care can extend houseplants' lives. This NebGuide offers hints on conditioning, light, fertilizing and more.

Many people enjoy houseplants; in fact, raising them is one of the fastest growing indoor hobbies. Caring for houseplants offers opportunities for people who like to work with living things and watch them develop. Today, houseplants are an integral part of indoor decor -- especially in winter.

An artificial indoor environment often hinders plant development. High temperatures, low humidity, lack of sunlight, poor soil conditions, and improper watering contribute to most houseplant problems. In addition, insects or plant diseases occasionally damage houseplants.

While plants …

Ec90-2502 Perspectives On Nitrates, Gary W. Hergert, Richard A. Wiese, Delynn Hay, William A. Lee, Ann Ziebarth, Richard B. Davis, Constance Kies, Carolyn Bednar, Norman Schneider, Alex Hogg, Robert A. Britton, J. David Aiken

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The potential adverse consequences of nitrate on both human and animal health has long been recognized. This extension circular is comprised of six papers that include:

• Nitrogen in our Environment
• Alternatives When Excessive Nitrate is Present in Drinking Water
• Nitrates, Nutrites and Methemoglobinemia
• Nitrates, Nutrities, N-Nitroso Compounds and Nutrition
• Excessive Nitrate/Nitrite Exposure: Nitrate Poisoning and Related Animal Health Effects
• Nitrates and Ground Water Quality Protection Policies

G90-1007 Pesticide Management And Safety On Home Grounds, John C. Fech, Larry D. Schulze

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Pesticides can be valuable tools in controlling lawn and garden pests. They must be used according to the label, with regard for the safety of people and animals.

Pest infestations often develop in lawns or gardens, damage lawns and ornamentals, and reduce the attractiveness of the home setting. When an infestation occurs, gardeners can reach a decision in pest management by answering the following questions: What is the pest? Is the pest causing unacceptable damage? Are controls needed? What pest control method(s) should be used?

There are several methods of pest control. The main methods of pest control and some …