Dear Editor, It was so great to see many young teachers at the Nebraska Career & Technical Education Conference recently that have passed through their initial training at Curtis NCTA and then on to another institution to complete their training and now proceed with their career as an agricultural instructor! With the completion of the recent fourth ‘Boot Camp’ at NCTA, I was lucky enough to extend my interaction with several additional ag instructors from Nebraska schools and also a few instructors from other states.

Where has the summer gone? It is already time for local county fairs! There are many aspects of the fair that everyone can participate in, from exhibiting projects to taking in the night attractions, there is for sure something that you and your family can enjoy! We encourage everyone to go out and see all the exhibits our 4-Hers have spent the last year perfecting.

Doctors write prescriptions for medications all the time. However, have you ever heard of a doctor prescribing a walk in the park? While this prescription will not fit in a bottle, it can pack some powerful health benefits. It may sound strange, but doctors actually can prescribe time outdoors to their patients with the help of a national program, ParkRx.org. This free online program can help a patient track their outdoor activity and discuss more outdoor exercise options with their doctor.

Congress is supposed to pass a new Farm Bill every five years. The Farm Bill is crucial and complex. It deals with everything from conservation to crop insurance to trade and nutrition programs. The current Farm Bill will expire this fall. With farmers’ net income projected to drop 25% this year, it’s particularly important that Congress act soon.

Last weekend, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) liberated four hostages from captivity in Gaza in a high-risk daytime mission. Ahead of the raid, the IDF gathered intelligence on the hostages’ locations— Hamas had strategically placed them in two residential buildings surrounded by Gazan civilians.

Everyone wants to feel better, live longer or just improve one’s health. Physical activity can help us do that by keeping our heart and lungs healthy, building healthy bones, muscles, and joints, boosting energy, and promoting sound sleep.

On June 6th, 1944, the land, air, and sea forces of the Allied stormed the beaches of Normandy to dislodge German troops from the French coast and ultimately liberate western Europe. D-Day marked the beginning of the end of World War II.

When you think of 4-H, do you image a farm and exhibiting animals at a county fair? Well, think again. 4-H is about learning lifelong skills, creating new friendships, discovering new opportunities, exploring projects, and so much more. 4-H offers a wide variety of project interests such as consumer & family sciences, communications & expressive arts, animals & plants, healthy living, environmental sciences, science & technology, career and college readiness, agricultural literacy, citizenship and leadership. In fact, there are over 150 projects from which to choose. Some learning activities 4-H’ers might participate in include speech contests, quality assurance training for raising meat animals, livestock judging and home environment workshops. There are also a variety of camps 4-H’ers may attend during the summer that also provide learning experiences as well as fun.

Four years ago, I embarked upon my first career experience in higher education and found the perfect administrative partner in Dr. Jennifer McConville. So, it is with immense pride to share that Jennifer received well-deserved accolades last week as the Association of Career and Technical Education of Nebraska (ACTEN) Administrator of the Year.

My first experience with cardiopulmonary resuscitation was during the summer of 1969. I was an orderly in a Minneapolis intensive care unit (ICU) when my patient stopped breathing.