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Missouri 4-H'ers raise more than 1.7 million meals to fight hunger
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri 4-H clubs across the state have finished the fifth annual 4-H Feeding Missouri initiative. Each year, 4-H partners with Feeding Missouri and Missouri Farmers Care’s Drive to Feed Kids to bring awareness and raise resources addressing food insecurity.
Water deeply and wisely during drought
HILLSBORO, Mo. – During drought, proper watering can help plants survive dry spells, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Debi Kelly.Kelly gives 10 tips to help your plants survive lack of precipitation.1. Water in the morning. Watering in the evening lets water remain on leaves, making the plant susceptible to disease.2. Water at the base of the plant. Water at soil level to avoid waste and prevent foliar diseases.
Tonnie Smith named to Who's Who in America's Neighborhoods Honor Roll
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Tonnie Gilspie Smith, a volunteer with West End South Community Improvement District in St. Louis, was named to the Who’s Who in America’s Neighborhoods Honor Roll during the 48th annual Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) national conference in El Paso, Texas, May 24-28. Each Who’s Who in America’s Neighborhoods nominee is evaluated by the NUSA board of directors. There were six nominees this year, but only Smith earned Who’s…
MU Extension specialists report thin pasture stands, low yields
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agronomists are reporting thin pasture stands and low yields statewide in the wake of re-emerging dry conditions.“Most barns are empty. Most fence rows are empty,” says Terry Halleran, an agronomist in Hickory County in southwestern Missouri. “Farmers are getting nervous.”
Ozark Empire Fair Hay Show call for entries
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Now that hay season is in full swing, it is a good time to pull hay samples for entry in the Ozark Empire Fair Hay Show in Springfield, says University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Tim Schnakenberg.Entry deadline is July 17. To enter, contact the nearest MU Extension specialist. They are available to help pull the core samples from the 10-bale entry.
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Now is time to scout for true armyworms in Missouri
WEST PLAINS, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agronomists in south-central, southwestern and northwestern Missouri have reported sightings of true armyworms.
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MU Career Accelerator: New paths to build employee skills, workforce participation
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri needs more workforce training opportunities to be competitive in attracting and retaining employees and growing economic investment, say state and educational leaders.
KC landscape business grows with help from the Missouri APEX Accelerator
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – When Chris Henry wanted to grow his lawn care business, RC Landscape Services, to pursue government jobs in the Kansas City area, he turned to the Missouri APEX Accelerator, a program of University of Missouri Extension.
Telehealth helps rural Missourians access mental health services
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Telehealth is a treatment option that is becoming more common for rural Missourians seeking mental health help, says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist.Telehealth encompasses health care, including counseling services, delivered remotely, reducing or eliminating the need to travel. “Telehealth brings health care to you through a cellphone or the internet, regardless of where…
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Poppy: The flower that honors fallen warriors
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “In Flanders fields the poppies blow / Between the crosses, row on row .... ” So begins “In Flanders Fields,” written in 1915 by John McCrae, a Canadian poet and military physician. “The hauntingly eloquent words of McCrae helped to immortalize poppy as one of the most recognized symbols honoring soldiers who died in combat,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
MU Extension works to fight startling statistics on mental health in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in May, is a good time to look at the startling statistics on suicide and mental health challenges in rural Missouri, says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri health and safety specialist.Three statistics reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are especially troubling, she says.
Digital Asset Map: add to inventory of publicly available digital tools
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new online tool will help connect more Missourians with broadband resources in their communities.The Digital Asset Map is a project of the University of Missouri System Broadband Initiative in partnership with the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the Missouri Broadband Resource Rail.
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MU Extension encourages you to report precipitation
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri farmers who check rain gauges daily can help other farmers across the nation by reporting precipitation totals. Tony Lupo, University of Missouri professor of atmospheric science and interim MU Extension climatologist, encourages farmers to be citizen scientists by reporting daily precipitation totals to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow network, or CoCoRaHS (pronounced KO-ko-rozz).
Convoy of Hope partners with MU Extension on new weather station
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A new automated weather station in Greene County will help southwestern Missouri’s agriculture community make decisions to improve production.The real-time weather station is a collaboration between University of Missouri Extension and Convoy of Hope, a faith-based organization based in Springfield. The station is on Convoy of Hope property between Springfield and Republic.
Implementing A Youth Futures SPIN Club in Lincoln County
The Issue Troy Middle School teachers are offering a curriculum related to career readiness through an elective class. Troy is a small town in the county of Lincoln in the St. Louis area. It is a “bedroom” community where most of the adult population live in Troy but work outside the county.
Iris, goddess of rainbows, splashes color over spring gardens
COLUMBIA, Mo. – According to Greek mythology, a golden-winged goddess named Iris traveled on a rainbow to bring messages from gods to mortals. Legend has it that colorful flowers sprung up at the end of the rainbow wherever she stepped.
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Blanket your flower beds with colorful gaillardias
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “While not a leading star on the herbaceous ornamental stage, Gaillardia can comfortably fill the supporting actor role in your garden,” said David Trinklein, state horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension.Commonly called “blanket flower,” this colorful perennial produces daisy-like flowers that come in shades of yellow, orange, red, purplish, brown, white or bicolored.
Get more hydrangea with these simple steps
HILLSBORO, Mo. – One of summer’s most showstopping bloomers is easy to transplant and propagate, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Debi Kelly.Hydrangeas burst with blooms summer and fall in colors ranging from blues and white to lavender and pinks.Bloom size varies on this low-maintenance perennial shrub, which tolerates almost any type of soil, sun or shade, although it prefers partial sun.
Missouri 4-H Foundation awards $87K in scholarships
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation is awarding scholarships totaling $87,000 to Missouri 4-H youths to help further their education.
Boost your blossoms by deadheading
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Deadheading flowers can help gardeners get more bang for the buck, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Tamra Reall.Removing faded and dead blooms costs nothing but time and encourages plants to put their energies into forming new blossoms instead of producing seed, says Reall. Additionally, deadheading gives the plant a tidier, more vibrant appearance.
It's time to remove fescue seed heads to reduce toxins
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri forage producers should begin removing seed heads from tall fescue grass pastures soon to reduce toxic endophytes that thwart herd health and profits, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Craig Roberts.
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Know the signs of stress
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The theme of 2023 Mental Health Awareness Month is “Look Around, Look Within,” says University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch.Surroundings affect mental health, says Funkenbusch, who works with MU Extension groups to promote mental health awareness in rural Missouri.
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MU Extension biosecurity trailer demonstrates Danish entry system
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A biosecurity trailer developed by University of Missouri Extension shows how poultry, swine and all livestock producers can implement a Danish entry system, a cost-effective way to reduce the transmission of pathogens when showering in and out is impractical or unavailable.
Cut hay now and cut it high for best yield, persistence
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It’s time to make the first cutting of hay in Missouri, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Craig Roberts.Waiting too long leads to poor-quality feed for livestock next winter. For best quality, harvest hay in May before seed heads pollinate, says Roberts.
Mowing hay low may cost money, time
GALENA, Mo. – There are many reasons to avoid cutting low when mowing hay, but money is the main one, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Tim Schnakenberg.