Missouri 4-H'ers compete at 2023 Western National Roundup
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Eight Missouri 4-H members competed in January at the 2023 Western National Roundup, an annual event held in tandem with the Western National Stock Show in Denver. FFA and 4-H members from 27 states competed in various categories and project areas during the four-day event.
SW Missouri forage conference is Feb. 21 in Springfield
The 39th annual Southwest Missouri Spring Forage Conference is set for Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield.“As farmers and livestock grazers continue to deal with drought conditions and high input costs, the conference planning committee has themed the 2023 conference ‘Doing More With Less,’” said Patrick Davis, a University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Patrick…
Workshop tells how and why to renovate tall fescue pastures
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Forage and beef producers can learn from world-renowned forage experts the how and why of renovating toxic tall fescue pastures at a March 23 workshop in Mount Vernon, Missouri.
Best Selling Author Joins Neighboring 101 on Feb. 16
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- How would you react if your neighbors died in a murder-suicide and you realized that you did not know their names? Then you discover none of your neighbors knew their names.Would you have feelings of guilt, wondering if you could have made a difference?Would you have feelings of anger toward other neighbors for not being involved?Or would you be motivated to make a change?
Missouri SBDC elevates business, impacts economic development
Over the past two years, a group of 22 second-stage Missouri small businesses increased sales by $10.7 million, made capital investments of $8.2 million, and added 74 jobs. These businesses were beneficiaries of research and advice from leading experts in a customized consulting program called Elevate. Targeted at second-stage businesses, Elevate is sponsored by the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in partnership with…
Forage expert gives 4 top reasons to frost seed legumes
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Early February is the time to frost seed legumes into most Missouri pastures, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Craig Roberts. Frost seeding, a method of broadcasting seeds onto frozen pastures, improves poor pastures at a low cost, Roberts says.
Master Showman Competitions: Displaying Youths’ Hard Work
The Issue 4-H and FFA Livestock projects impact youth life skill development in motivation, responsibility, goal setting, discipline, and leadership (Anderson et al., 2015; Boleman et al., 2004; Evans, et al. 2019; Heavner et al., 2011; Rusk et al, 2003). Knowledge of husbandry and showing procedures increased the longer youth participate in the projects (Havner et al., 2011; Rusk et al., 2003).
Springfield's Tool Library a Model for Other Towns or Neighborhoods
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The sharing economy has found its way to Springfield in the form of a tool library.Generally, people think of Uber, Lyft and Airbnb when they hear the term "sharing economy." But thanks to easy-to-use software, dedicated volunteers, and direction from Community Partnership of the Ozarks, Springfield can lay claim to a tool-sharing library.
Lasagna Love Needs More Volunteers in Springfield Area
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Nothing connects neighbors like food, and apparently, nothing says love like lasagna.Karen Harris of Springfield is the area volunteer coordinator for a neighboring movement known as Lasagna Love.Although her home is busy with the activities of her husband (retired Navy veteran) and three teenage daughters, Harris says it is not too busy to find time to use food to help others.
Emergency Response Is a Good Reason for Developing Relationships With Neighbors
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- When a disaster strikes, who are you going to call? Several residents in rural Highlandville recently answered that question with action when they reached out to their neighbors and came to help when a neighbor's home caught on fire.It all began with an effort by Echo Alexzander to meet her new rural neighbors, which turned out to be essential for an emergency response just a few weeks later.
Fescue foot reported in Missouri cattle
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension specialists recently received several reports of Missouri cattle dying due to fescue foot, says MU Extension state forage specialist Craig Roberts.These significant losses show why beef producers should check herds for warning signs of fescue foot in early January, when it most often occurs, Roberts says.
Nationally known speakers lined up for Neighboring 101 in 2023
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – More than 700 people from across the United States are enrolled in an online class offered monthly by University of Missouri Extension known as Neighboring 101.Class instructor and organizer David Burton, a community development specialist with MU Extension, says since the class began in late 2019, courses and videos have had over 10,000 views or attendees.
Leadership change in extension and engagement
University of Missouri President Mun Choi has announced that Marshall Stewart, chief engagement officer for the UM System and vice chancellor for extension and engagement for MU, is leaving the university to pursue another opportunity as Kansas State University's senior vice president for executive affairs, university engagement and partnerships, and chief of staff, effective Jan. 20, 2023.
Gift a Book on Neighboring This Year
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Holiday shopping is in full swing, and books remain a great gift option, according to David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension."Whether you are shopping for a gift for family members, co-workers, or neighbors, let me suggest some books as gifts," said Burton.All of these books share a common theme: neighboring.
Build Neighbor Connections With Favorite Things Party
Parties are great ways to get to know your neighbors, especially if you do a "favorite things party."
Missouri names delegates for 2023 National 4-H Conference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Each year, Missouri 4-H sends representatives to the National 4-H Conference. In April 2023, Jake Bartlett of Platte County and Andrew Shelton of Barton County will travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the pinnacle experience in 4-H Civic Engagement.
10 Greene County Residents Recognized for Their Efforts to be an Engaged Neighbor
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension Greene County Extension Council is pleased to announce ten Greene County residents chosen for special recognition as neighbors.Missourians from all walks of life celebrated the first Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept 28 – Oct. 4) by doing and reporting neighboring acts and nominating others as the most engaged neighbors in their respective counties.
17 Missourians recognized with statewide awards following first Missouri Good Neighbor Week
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The first statewide awards for Missouri Good Neighbor Week were announced Oct. 20 by the joint sponsors of the campaign, University of Missouri Extension in Greene County and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project, headquartered in St. Louis.Missourians from all walks of life celebrated the first Missouri Good Neighbor Week, Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, by doing and reporting neighboring acts and nominating others as the most…
Missouri Good Neighbor Week Reaches its Goal
The results of Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 – Oct. 4) have been overwhelming.The stretch goal for the week was to document 10,000 acts of neighboring in Missouri and as of Oct. 5, there have been 12,851 acts of neighboring documented. Over 100 Missourians have been nominated as Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbor! It will take several days to organize the final submissions and send information to county-level partners for local…
Why Agriculture is Important for Everyone to Understand
Why would the average resident of southwest Missouri want to read about agriculture?For starters, we need to be knowledgeable about the sources of our food and fiber products. Surveys continue to show that most Americans no little about their food or fiber sources.This lack of knowledge about agriculture can affect public policy that directly impacts producers and consumers. That means having an agriculturally literate society is…
Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame inducts new members
SEDALIA, Mo. – “Making the best better” for generations of Missouri 4-H club members, 40 volunteers joined the 2022 Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame on Aug. 20 at State Fair Community College in Sedalia. The Missouri 4-H Foundation recognizes individuals who have created a legacy of service to 4-H by honoring them with membership in the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame, said Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation
Regional drought calls for winter feed strategies
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – Drought in southwestern Missouri calls for long- and short-term feed plans for beef and dairy herds.University of Missouri Extension state dairy specialist Stacey Hamilton urges producers not to panic as local feed supplies dwindle. There are options to carry herds through winter until spring pastures green.
4-H Foundation endowment funds reaching many Missouri counties
County endowment funds created by the Missouri 4-H Foundation have had a significant impact on many Missouri counties within the last year. The Foundation currently manages six county endowment funds benefiting Barton, Callaway, Dade, Henry, Pike and St. Charles counties.
Drought requires feed efficiency in cattle
WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Low supplies of hay make feeding cattle a challenge.Elizabeth Picking, a University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist in southwestern Missouri, sees the effects of severe drought in her area – dwindling hay supplies, poor-quality hay, high prices and ponds going dry.
SW Missouri no stranger to drought in forages
WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Southwest Missouri farmers and livestock producers are no strangers to drought. In 2022, livestock owners face short-term and long-term challenges growing pastures for grazing and winter feeding.