Half-time secretary position
The Nodaway County Extension Council is seeking a professional, friendly and organized individual to perform customer service, website updates, event coordination and other office duties in support of the council and MU Extension staff. This position is an employee of the county’s University of Missouri Council and is responsible for a variety of secretarial work and some office management for the county extension programs. Position is located at the Nodaway County Extension office in Maryville, is non-exempt, 20 hours per week. Regular work hours are set within the hours of 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Minimum requirements: high school diploma or equivalent, ability to type 50 words per minute with high accuracy, effective written and verbal communication skills, and proficient computer skills including word, excel, and bookkeeping. Applications received by May 24, 2013 will be given preference. Anticipated start date will be as soon as possible. For more information, questions and application materials, please call 660-582-8101. Applications should be returned to the Nodaway County Extension Center, 403 N. Market, Room 308, Maryville, MO 64468. EEO/AA/ADA Employer
Half-Time Secretary Application (PDF)
Half-Time Secretary Application (DOC)
Tree distribution order forms available
The University of Missouri Extension Center in Nodaway County now has forms for ordering seedling trees and shrubs. These seedlings, grown by the Missouri Department of Conservation, are sold to persons desiring to make conservation plantings. Plantings may be made for such purposes as Christmas trees, the production of wood products, wildlife food and cover, windbreaks, erosion control, nut production or beautification. The application blank lists the species that are available and the price. It also outlines the ordering procedure.
In addition to individual species choices, several bundles of mixed species, designed for special purpose plantings, may be purchased. These include: conservation bundle, wildlife cover bundle, quail cover bundle, wild edibles bundle, nut tree bundle and wetland bundle.
Randa Doty, County Program Director, urges cooperators to place their order for trees as soon as possible because reservations for trees are made on a “first come, first served” basis. The time you place your order — not the delivery date — determines your priority for reserving trees. April 30, 2013, is the last date for accepting orders for shipment. To be sure of getting the species desired order now. Trees will be delivered one of two methods:
- Shipment by UPS or U.S. Postal Service at a date of purchaser’s selection.
- Purchaser may pick up trees at the State Nursery near Licking, Missouri.
Doty suggests that persons planning to make large plantings request free advice from the Missouri Department of Conservation Forester or Wildlife Services Biologist, who can be contacted through the St. Joseph District Office of the Conservation Department in St. Joseph at 816-271-3100.
MU Extension publications G5008, How to Plant Forest Trees; G5006, Before You Order Tree Seedlings; G5900, Planting Tree Windbreaks in Missouri and G5009, Mechanical Tree Planters are among those available at the University of Missouri Extension Center in each county or online at http://extension.missouri.edu/publications.
To request a tree distribution order form, stop by the extension center at 403 N. Market, Room 308 in Maryville or call 660-582-8101. For more information or to order trees online, go to the Missouri Department of Conservation web site: http://mdc.mo.gov/node/3328.
A farm woman's involvement in the farm: Women in boots
By Randa Doty, Agriculture Business Specialist
Farm women take on many roles on the family farm. She may be the caretaker of the children. She may work off the farm and not have an interest in the daily operation of the farm. She may be the principle operator, or could operate the farm in partnership with her husband. A woman’s role on the farm is not the same from one operation to another. The only similarity between every farm woman is that she needs to be aware and educated about operating the family farm.
A farm woman is tied tightly to the farming operation, whether she is a daily partner or not. Farm families depend on the farm as a source of income and a way of life. There are often misconceptions that if a family member does not work on the farm then they do not need to know anything about it. That is wrong. If something happens to the primary farm operator, the operation will still need to be managed and possibly be distributed to heirs. Crops will still need to be tended, harvested and marketed. Livestock will need to be fed, cared for, and marketed. Also, if the operation is involved in any leases, those lease terms will still need to be honored.
Estate planning is often ignored because we all have a sense of “my partner will always be here.” The reality is that anything can happen when you least expect it, whether you are young or old. The state has a probate law that distributes property if one of the farm partners passes away. What happens if the state’s plan is not what you want? Every farm family should have a plan on how their farm and property will be distributed in the case of a death. There are many ways that property can be passed on to the next generation, but it takes time and planning to properly do this. It is important to consult a good attorney, financial counselors, and any other advisors that you trust in this process.
Another thing to consider is crop insurance. Crop insurance is confusing, but it is an important part of operating a farm. There are many types of crop insurance and the rules seem to be changing every year. It is important that those involved in the operation know where the policies are filed and learn about the type of coverage your operation purchases and why. It would also be helpful to develop a relationship with the operation’s insurance representative and to be involved in the conversations when decisions are made about what type to purchase.
University of Missouri Extension offers several programs throughout the year that target farm women to help them become better business partners on the farm. Agriculture Business Specialists have been offering a program called Annie’s Project across the state for several years. There have been hundreds of graduates that are now better able to help make decisions on the farm because of this program.
To find more about this program or the Annie’s Project program contact Randa Doty at 660-582-8101 or email Randa at dotyr@missouri.edu.
Cash renting farm land
Cash renting farm land continues to be a popular choice among land owners who want to eliminate the risk of agriculture commodities on the land. Other rental agreements may include crop-share or a combination of cash rent and crop-share. In a cash renting agreement the tenant pays a fixed amount to the landowner in exchange for the use of the land and any improvements to the land. With a cash rental agreement the tenant is free to make management decisions and receives all the profits. However, the renter assumes all the risk of production and must endure all the capitol expenses on the farm. Cash renting can benefit the land owner by assuring them a fixed income on the farm and has no worries about price risk and the uncertainty of yields.
The University of Missouri just released the results of their most recent cash rent survey in the 2011 Cash Rental Rates in Missouri. These rates were compiled using the survey responses of 226 Missourians who are involved with cash renting farm land. Every rent situation is different so this guide should be used as a reference in addition to considering other factors in your area, including: average yield, soil types, the number of acres available for rent in the area and the demand of rental land. The guide includes rates of crop and pasture land by acre, crop land by yield, pasture by stocking rate, and rates for farm buildings.
For more detailed information or a copy of MU Extension publication G427, 2011 Cash Rental Rates in Missouri visit your local MU Extension office.
Flood resources at your fingertips
Get research-based information to help you recover. MU Extension's Floods site has the tools you need. Find help locally with the NW Missouri Flood Response and Recovery Contacts (PDF). For flood recovery information check out the Extension Missouri Flood Facebook Page. http://Facebook.com/MoFloodInfo
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.
MU Extension publication G6800, Selecting Landscape Plants: Shade Trees
MU Extension publication G6805, Selecting Landscape Plants: Flowering Trees
MU Extension publication G6810, Selecting Landscape Plants: Uncommon Trees for Specimen Plantings
MU Extension publication G6815, Selecting Landscape Plants: Needled Evergreens
MU Extension publication G6820, Selecting Landscape Plants: Broad-leaved Evergreens
MU Extension publication G6850, How to Plant a Tree