Extension Educator, Kelly Feehan provided some good tips regarding trees which is listed below. The first is a question we usually receive on trees in fall/winter is yellowing of needles on evergreens. Kelly reminds us that this is a natural occurrence and we will soon see natural needle yellowing and dropping on evergreens like white pines and spruce. This is a process where 2- to 4-year-old interior needles turn yellow, then brown, and eventually drop off. Needle yellowing occurs throughout the interior of an evergreen from top to bottom. For tree owners, not familiar with natural needle drop, this sudden yellowing is a concern. However, this is as natural for evergreens as fall coloring is for shade trees. The only difference is it only occurs heavily every 3 to 5 years in evergreens instead of yearly. It is natural and does not harm the tree. Check that only older, inner needles are affected. If needles on branch tips are affected, or needles that are dropping have spots or red bands on them, this could be a sign of a disease and a sample could be brought to the local Extension office for diagnosis and determine if a fungicide application might be needed next spring.
Also, if the leaves of shade trees and shrubs are off-color or have leaf spots, browning, or holes chewed into them; and you’re thinking about applying a pesticide for control, think again. Keep in mind the leaves of shade trees and shrubs will soon be naturally dropping from plants; so, is it necessary to apply a pesticide now to protect leaves that will soon be dead? Tree and shrub leaves have basically done their photosynthesis job for the year. Leaf buds for next year are formed; and photosynthetic products are stored in woody tissue for next year’s growth. Other than aesthetics, minor leaf diseases and insect chewing is not very harmful to trees and shrubs this late in the season; but a pesticide application can kill beneficial insects such as pollinators. If the damage is unacceptable, or has occurred more than one year in a row, positively identify the cause of damage to help determine if and when control may be needed next season.
at the Adams County Fairgrounds, 947 S. Baltimore Ave, Hastings, NE. The event will be held Thursday, August 31st with registration starting at 9:00 a.m., program starting at 9:30 and ending around 3:00 p.m.
The office has received numerous questions regarding the abundance of butterflies (most of what I’ve seen are Painted Lady butterflies) in the area. An extension entomologist told me the following: “It is hard to pinpoint reasons these insects survive and flourish better in one year over another. Painted Lady butterflies overwinter in southern areas of the country and migrate north in the spring. They have a broad food host range which includes thistle plants. If any of these food sources are abundant, the weather is favorable and natural enemy populations are minimal, the butterflies can grow and develop quite successfully. This results in the high population that we are seeing now.” Hopefully this answers questions you might have. Butterfly information can be found at 
FFA Chapters, 4-H Clubs, or other youth groups that submit the most POSITIVE samples from different fields. Groups submitting 3 or more positive samples also get a certificate identifying them as “Certified Crop Disease Detectives!” Youth packets can be be obtained from Tamra directly by emailing her at: 
study, many youth reported that they are motivated each year to participate in the county fair because they have fun. Whether showing a market steer, modeling a garment in the Fashion Revue, or exhibiting a GIS map of a local park, youth across all project areas compete and participate in the county fair activities because they are fun.
Views from VanDeWalle 