From the Desk of the Director December 2023
Marlin Bates
County Extension Director
Welcome to this edition of our newsletter. I hope that you’ll spend a few moments reviewing its content. You’ll find that we have much to celebrate as we usually do this time of year. There are also helpful topics to explore including inspiration for getting started on 4-H
projects, winter care tips for your poultry flock, tips for the garden, suggestions on healthy eating, and ways to reduce food waste during the holidays. We’re also sharing ways that you can stay involved in the community and introducing you to new resources for food and farm businesses.
Last month, the Douglas County Extension Council hosted its Annual Celebration Breakfast. We always appreciate the opportunity to gather with you to let you know about our work, thank our outgoing councilmembers, and welcome those who are beginning their journey alongside us on our Program Development Committees. We also take this opportunity to lift up and recognize someone who has significantly impacted our local efforts. This year, the Council gave its Extension Appreciation Award to Joel Becker, Program Director, and Host of Radio for Grownups on KLWN. Each week, Joel welcomes one of us to his studio to discuss timely information and resources. We are lucky to have the opportunity to partner with KLWN and we’re grateful to be able to reach their listeners with such a strong advocate for our work on the other side of the microphone – Thank You, Joel!
While the end of year certainly provides the opportunity to celebrate our work and the people who make it happen, we also pour our energy into planning for the new year. Within our program areas and volunteer groups, there is much to look forward to in 2024. We hope that you, too, will take the time to reflect on this past year and think creatively about the future. If you are looking for a place to pour your energy, we can help – and we promise that it will lead you down a path of self-improvement surrounded by a community of your neighbors. We look forward to seeing you soon!
