Extension office gets new look
College Colors Day 2011! Won't those Tigers be proud?
Clinton County residents should have no trouble finding the
extension office. Just look for the black and gold building, exuding
University of Missouri spirit. Pictured are local extension staff
members, from left, Debbie Davis, 4-H youth specialist; Dale Hunsburger,
youth development program associate, and Vickie Kilgore, office manager.
Clinton County annual report now available
The Clinton County Extension Council has issued its 2011 report of accomplishments and programs.
2011 Annual Report (PDF)
Any time is a good time to join 4-H
MU Extension 4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. 4-H helps young people make new friends, create memories and build leadership skills. 4-H is a volunteer-led organization that reaches boys and girls through small groups called clubs. 4-H members choose from over 40 projects in which to participate. Most projects use hands-on learning experiences to teach subject matter and life skills such as cooperation, leadership and decision-making — skills applicable to every facet of life both now and in the future. For more information, contact Dale Hunsburger at 816-539-3765 or
hunsburgerd@missouri.edu.
Don’t guess; soil tests save time and money
Soil testing is the best guide to the wise and efficient use of fertilizer and soil amendments, said Manjula Nathan, director of the University of Missouri Extension Soil Testing and Plant Diagnostic Services. Whether you grow acres of row crops or have a vegetable patch in the backyard, a soil test will provide you with an analysis of nutrients and a set of recommendations for any improvements. “We frequently get questions from customers like, ‘I apply fertilizer every year. How come my plants are not doing well?’” Nathan said. “Most of the time the problem is they never have done a soil test, but have been guessing on fertilizer requirements,” she said. “They do not realize that by guessing they are wasting money by over- or underapplication, and the excess fertilizer can end up in streams, ponds and underground water, polluting the environment.”
Soil testing can be done through the extension office. The cost is $16 per sample. Soil testing publications.
Trees add value to your landscape
Trees can provide your home with shade, wind protection and visual appeal. They can reduce energy costs, provide recreation for children and habitat for wildlife. Newly planted trees need special attention, and not all trees are suitable for all conditions. MU Extension’s horticulture experts have developed a series of publications to help you choose the right tree and get it established.
G6800, Selecting Landscape Plants: Shade Trees
G6805, Selecting Landscape Plants: Flowering Trees
G6810, Selecting Landscape Plants: Uncommon Trees for Specimen Plantings
G6815, Selecting Landscape Plants: Needled Evergreens
G6820, Selecting Landscape Plants: Broad-leaved Evergreens
G6850, How to Plant a Tree
Urban Farming and Community Gardens to be featured at Great Plains Vegetable Growers Conference, Jan. 5-7
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The 16th Annual Great Plains Growers Conference is set for Jan. 5-7, 2012, at the Fulkerson Center at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mo. Among the highlights at the 2012 conference is an all-day track focusing on Urban Farming and Community Gardens in the sponsoring states of IA, KS, NE, MO & SD. Urban farming will be the initial focus with the lead off presenter Katherine Kelly of the non-profit Cultivate KC, which helps people grow and eat healthy, quality food in city neighborhoods. Katherine has been a vegetable grower in the Midwest and active with local foods, urban farming and nonprofits in Kansas City since 1996. “I’ve witnessed this agriculture niche develop into a dynamic and vital urban scene in less than 10 years.” says Katherine, “ City residents are beginning to see how city-grown food can be a real contributor to the local food supply.” “We are always looking for interesting topics for the Great Plains Vegetable Growers Conference,” said James Quinn, University of Missouri Extension regional horticulture specialist. “By putting these presentations on Saturday, I’m hoping individuals in this new aspect of agriculture will find it more convenient to attend; some may have regular full-time jobs.” There are 9 other presenters in the track, with other areas of focus being youth gardening and techniques associated with growing edibles in community gardens. Complete information can be found at- http://www.greatplainsgrowers.org/ .
The conference and trade show is a collaboration of growers associations and extension services from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota. Each year the event draws hundreds of producers from the region and beyond. Five concurrent sessions on Friday, and Saturday allow for more than 50 presentations on subjects related to organic and conventional vegetable crop production, operating a U-pick, selling at farmers’ markets, growing table grapes, and floral crafts. “Interesting and useful information will be presented on production and marketing of vegetables, cut flowers, tree fruit and berries,” said Tom Fowler, MU Extension horticulture specialist in Buchanan County. “It doesn't matter if you are an experienced commercial vegetable grower or someone with just a dream about starting to grow and sell produce, there will be something for you.”
Registration for the workshops on the first day is $50-$60; included in the registration is lunch and break refreshments. The workshops on the 5th include: High Tunnels, Community Supported Agriculture mini-school, Beekeeping, Fruit Growers, GAP/Food Safety . Registration for the second and third day of the conference is $35 each and includes lunch and break refreshments. Headquarter hotels are the Ramada Inn, 4016 Frederick Blvd., St. Joseph. Room rate is $72 per night plus tax. For reservations call 800-748-0036. Or Stoney Creek Inn, 1201 N Woodbine, St. Joseph. Room rate is $77 per night plus tax, call (816) 901-9600 for reservations. For more information about the program and a registration form, contact Katie Cook at cookkm@missouri.edu or 816-279-1691. A full program, driving instructions and the latest conference updates are available at http://www.greatplainsgrowers.org/.
Northwest Missouri Extension News You Can Use
This monthly newsletter provides practical advice on a variety of subjects and reports on extension activities throughout the region. Northwest Missouri Extension News You Can Use