A consistent presence
Eldon Cole has served Missourians through MU Extension for 50-plus years. A lot has changed in the 56 years that Eldon Cole has served as a University of Missouri Extension specialist, but one thing has remained incredibly consistent – Cole’s desire to build relationships with the Missourians he continually serves.
MU Extension offers Wednesday town hall meetings online for farmers, gardeners
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is offering online town hall meetings led by agronomy, livestock and horticulture specialists.“MU Extension has long served as a trusted and necessary resource to help Missourians get food on the table and gardens in the backyard,” says Lee Miller, coordinator of MU’s Integrated Pest Management program. “We’ll strive to continue this even through COVID-19.”
Working together can discover solutions to parking for Main Street
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Most towns have parking problems, normally in the downtown area. Whether you are a Springfield, a Republic or an Ash Grove resident, there are ways to get more parking without paving, striping or getting a permit.For starters, it is important to find hidden parking, according to David Burton, a county engagement specialist in Greene County with University of Missouri Extension.
MU CARES launches COVID-19 Testing Dashboard
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri’s Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems (CARES) has launched the COVID-19 Testing Dashboard, an online mapping and charting tool that provides a graphical look at COVID-19 testing in each state. Testing rates and positive test rates are important indicators for the prevalence of COVID-19 in populations as states move toward easing physical distancing restrictions and allowing…
Leadership lesson: Are you interested or committed?
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- People who are afraid to commit to anything drift through life. Those who make commitments and honor them gain favor and a good reputation, accomplish their goals and reap the rewards, according to David Burton, county engagement specialist with University of Missouri Extension. “If you are interested, you will do what is convenient. If you are committed, you will do whatever it takes,” said Burton.
Ask a Master Gardener: Options for small trees and shrubs, recommendations on hand tools
Readers can pose questions or get more information by calling 417-874-2963 and talking to one of the trained volunteers staffing the Master Gardener Hotline at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Greene County located inside the Botanical Center, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, MO 65807.
Proper cattle identification systems
“Proper identification is key to management of cattle for optimum production and profitability,” says Patrick Davis MU Extension Regional Livestock Field Specialist. Identification is important in tracking cattle performance.
Missouri Food Finder
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Food Finder (www.MOFoodFinder.org) is a new online tool that easily connects Missouri consumers with people growing and selling locally produced food in their region. (Note: Since initial publication of this news release the site has been renamed Show Me Food and can be found at ShowMeFood.org.)
What makes a community leader?
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – “Simon Says” is a game where someone gets to be the leader and gives instructions about what gestures or actions others must do, but only on Simon’s command. For young children, “Simon Says” is always a group favorite.“At least for that game, I enjoyed being a leader and most of my classmates did too. Some people may still feel like that game is their only chance to be a leader,” said David Burton, county engagement…
Tips for dairy herd safety during COVID-19
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist Stacey Hamilton and veterinarian Scott Poock used to repeat one word to students and workers at MU’s Foremost Dairy Research Center. “Intake. Intake. Intake” has given way to “Sanitize. Sanitize. Sanitize.”
MU Soil and Plant Testing Lab still open and serving Missouri agriculture
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For now, the University of Missouri Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory remains open.“We understand the essential role the lab plays in supporting Missouri's agricultural industry,” said Robert Kallenbach, MU Extension senior program director for agriculture and environment. “If we can continue to operate safely, the MU Soil Testing Laboratory in Columbia will continue to accept samples.”
COVID-19 and farms
MU Extension specialists offer guidelines and tips for COVID-19 safety on the farm.
Farmers face unique safety risks during COVID-19
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers and ranchers face unique safety risks as COVID-19 continues to spread.The predicted peak of the COVID-19 outbreak likely will hit as spring planting season shifts into high gear, says Rusty Lee, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy.Physical distancing becomes difficult as farmers receive seed and chemical deliveries, Lee says.
Ask a Master Gardener: Difference between coated and plain seed
Readers can pose questions or get more information by calling 417-874-2963 and talking to one of the trained volunteers staffing the Master Gardener Hotline at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Greene County located inside the Botanical Center, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, MO 65807.Q. What is the difference if a seed is called “pelleted” or “coated” or just a plain seed? L.M., OzarkAnswer by Master Gardener Mark…
Neighborhood art can spread kindness and joy in a community to combat isolation and loneliness
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Robert Frost once said, “Good fences make good neighbors.” While many families are sheltering-in-place, that phrase could be “good art makes good neighbors,” according to David Burton, a county engagement specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
MU Extension specialists on coping with COVID-19's financial impact
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension faculty recently appeared on NBC affiliate KOMU-TV, Columbia, to talk about financial aspects of the COVID-19 crisis, which has hammered the stock market and shuttered countless businesses and workplaces. In these installments of KOMU's "COVID-19 Town Hall" series, they offer information on saving and investment strategies, safeguarding your finances, and where individuals, families and…
Not letting a pandemic slow us down
All over the nation, people are working online. Missouri’s county extension councils are no exception. Quickly adapting to changing needs, these citizen advisers are now holding their monthly meetings by phone and online videoconference to help make sure University of Missouri Extension can continue its local work.
Lessons learned during 2007 ice storm can help deal with stress of sheltering in place
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- If experience is a great teacher, then the 2007 ice storm that hit southwest Missouri taught us some valuable lessons. The storm left many families stranded indoors for a week or more without electricity and other modern conveniences.
Ask a Master Gardener: Buttonbushes, privacy trees and tomatoes
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Readers can pose questions or get more information by calling 417-874-2963 and talking to one of the trained volunteers staffing the Mas¬ter Gardener Hotline at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Greene County located inside the Botanical Center, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, MO 65807.
Ask a Master Gardener: Pruning, mulch, hedges and groundcovers
Q. My various, leafy and grassy groundcovers are starting to sprout out, but they have all the old, nasty-looking growth left over from last year. What’s the easiest way to tidy these up?Answer by Master Gardener Mark Bernskoetter.
Show Me Resilience
Show Me Resilience. In challenging times, Missourians come together. This simple phrase illustrates how University of Missouri Extension and communities across the state are showing up for each other. People, businesses and communities across Missouri are working together in innovative and engaging ways – bringing the resources of the University of Missouri to the people who need them.
Donors help launch Barton County 4-H endowment fund
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation, in partnership with the Barton County 4-H Council, has established the Barton County 4-H Endowment Fund thanks to generous contributions by the Hugh and Fran Nutt family and Don Lucietta. The fund will be used to provide sustainable support for the Barton County 4-H program in perpetuity.
We need a quest for community, says MU Extension specialist
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Humans are social animals. That is not new information. Even the ancients knew: it is not good for man to be alone."If you study ancient and classical history, you see many examples of where banishment from society was the worst possible punishment," said David Burton, county engagement and community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension. "That is because humans are made to live in community."
Teaching our children to be good neighbors
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Neighboring and community leadership are topics that can positively change our communities in a way that is meaningful and lasting according to David Burton, county engagement and community development specialist, University of Missouri Extension.