Nebraska

Several Extension educators from the University of Nebraska Panhandle District were recognized recently at the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences meeting in Philadelphia.

The Building Nebraska Families team was the winner of the Florence Hall Award, one of the top national awards presented by NEAFCS for outstanding programming. This team provides intensive, individualized education to help rural welfare families learn family management and life skills in order to maintain their families while moving into the world of work. One of the team members is Maurine Roller, Extension educator, based in the Box Butte County office.

Several projects by Panhandle Extension staff were finalists for the Central Region. An Educational Curriculum Package titled "Mastering Navigator Information Technology Training" received second place. The package was developed by a team including Jennifer Nixon, an educator based in Sioux County, and Connie Hancock, an educator based in Cheyenne County to provide rural citizens with hands-on computer training. The Master Navigator program provides an opportunity for people to learn how to navigate the Internet and use it in their everyday lives. Participants learn how to surf the net, use search engines, learn about email, utilize resources on the Internet, and about different browsers.

"Osteoporosis and Calcium Fact Sheet," an educational publication by Jeanne Murray, Extension educator in Box Butte County, won second place among educational publications. This fact sheet lists calcium food sources, daily calcium need to prevent osteoporosis, and the need for physical activity to strengthen bones.