Scotland County

Access the services and resources of the University of Missouri close to home.

A Sampling of the Services offered by 
University of Missouri Extension in Scotland County 

The Scotland County Extension center is a part of the University of Missouri system and as such can offer many services to citizens. We are committed to helping Scotland County citizens improve their quality of life. Below is a list of some of the services available through our office and the fees involved:

Pressure Canner Gauge Testing: Bring your dial-type pressure canner lid to Scotland Extension center for testing and examination. Dial-type gauges should be tested annually to ensure accuracy and prevent bacterial contamination of preserved foods. (Testing is not necessary for weighted gauges.) Testing is offered for a fee of $1 per gauge. We need the whole lid to perform this test and it will take around a half hour to complete.

Private Pesticide Applicator's License Certification: There is no charge for this certification. In order to purchase and spray some chemicals, you must have a private applicator license. It will take approximately 2 to 3 hours to complete the training and testing.

Private Pesticide Applicator's License Re-certification: The re-certification is good for 5 years (currently), renewable at your local Extension Center.  Changes as of January 1, 2003 to re-certify you must view the video or attend a group training, plan on this taking 2 to 3 hours.  

Insect Identification: If you have an insect that you can't identify, we can help. Please bring the insect to the office in a container of some kind as soon as you can. If we can not identify it locally, we will send it to the University of Missouri at Columbia and get an answer which will include a fee plus postage & handling.

Plant Identification: We can assist you in identifying a plant that you want to know the name of or a plant disease and how (or if) to treat that problem. We will need as much of the plant as possible (roots if possible) and will need some information such as how long the disease has been happening, location of the plant, etc.  If the identification of plant or disease requires the sample be sent to Columbia to get an answer there will be a fee plus postage and handling.

Plant Nematode Tests: The cost is $10 to $25. Nematodes are very damaging to soybeans, some vegetable and fruit crops and other plants. Samples need to taken and handled in very certain ways. Contact our office for help.

Veterinary Lab Services: These can vary. The University of Missouri's Veterinary Lab provides many services for livestock producers. Animals can be sent or taken to the lab when sick or after death to determine what's wrong. You should contact your local veterinarian first.

Soil Testing and Plant Diagnostic Services
Crop producers, commercial horticultural growers and home gardeners can receive diagnoses for plant diseases or pest infestations, and have soil analyzed. Soil testing provides analysis of pH, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, organic matter percent, neutralizable acidity, cation exchange capacity and effective neutralizing material (EMN). Customers will receive recommendations for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and liming (or acidifying). Tests for nitrate, boron, zinc, sulfur, iron, manganese and copper also are available at additional cost. For information on sampling methods, see G9215 Soil Sampling Pastures and G9217 Soil Sampling Hayfields and Row Crops.

For information on test results, see G9112, "Interpreting Missouri Soil Test Reports". Regional specialists also can assist you with additional information and recommendations. Contact us for more information.

• Plant Diagnostic Clinic The MU Plant Diagnostic Clinic identifies insects, diseases and weeds, and provides management solutions for these problems.
• Plant Nematology Laboratory This laboratory examines soil and plant samples qualitatively and quantitatively for the presence of plant parasitic nematodes. Recommendations are provided for management strategies to reduce the effect of nematodes on plant growth and yield.
• Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory The MU Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory provides fertilizer recommendations based on soil or plant analysis to farmers, home owners, vegetable and fruit growers, golf course superintendents, and lawn and landscape specialists.

Family Nutrition Education Program
The Family Nutrition Education Program helps limited-resource families and individuals improve their health and fitness. Education focuses on teaching healthier eating habits, understanding of food safety and better management of food dollars. FNEP is available to individuals, groups and school at no cost. Contact us for more information on FNEP.

Center for Distance and Independent Study
Pick up your copy of the University of Missouri Center for Distance and Independent Study catalog. The center offers university-level credit and non-credit courses. Check out MU High School, a fully-accredited program, offering individual courses or a complete curriculum, as well as core-subject curriculums for grades 3-8. CDIS course tests may be taken at the extension center; contact us for more information.

MU Direct: Continuing and Distance Education
MU Direct: Continuing and Distance Education offers online degrees in education, journalism and several health-care fields, including nursing, management, informatics and respiratory therapy. These are available to students across Missouri and beyond. Mid-Missourians can pursue a bachelor of general studies or master of public administration by attending MU In The Evening classes.

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		Web Maintainer, Amanda Davis Davisam@missouri.edu Updated 09/11/06