
Update on MU Extension SNAP-Ed programming
Congress passed a budget reconciliation bill that has eliminated funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed), and the program is officially ending Oct. 1, 2025.

Drone training offered Aug. 7 at Albany
ALBANY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension specialists will provide a full day of discussion and hands-on training for using drones in Missouri agriculture 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at the MU Hundley-Whaley Extension and Education Center in Albany.

Drone training offered Aug. 5 at Fairfax
University of Missouri Extension specialists will provide a full day of discussion and hands-on training for using drones in Missouri agriculture Tuesday, Aug. 5, at the MU Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center in Fairfax. The event will cover kinds of drones used in agriculture and what is required of remote pilots to use these technologies.

When your garden becomes a drive-thru for wildlife
Most gardeners know the frustration of having a beautiful garden decimated by wildlife. Just like people, deer and other critters are drawn to food that is tasty and convenient. A garden is wildlife’s equivalent of a fast food drive-thru.

Keep the sparkle, skip the ER: Fireworks safety for July 4
They light up the sky, but fireworks can also send people to the emergency room. Before you celebrate, take a few simple steps to keep your family safe.

CEC invites community builders to recharge, reconnect and reimagine local impact
University of Missouri Extension invites economic developers, chamber of commerce directors, nonprofit professionals and community leaders from across the state to attend the 2025 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, in downtown Excelsior Springs.

Expert comment: Potential cuts to federal food assistance, nutrition education
The U.S. House Agriculture Committee recently approved a proposal that would make it harder to qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), reduce benefits and make other changes. Jo Britt-Rankin, director of MU Extension SNAP-Ed, is available for interviews about SNAP, SNAP-Ed and how the proposed changes could affect Missourians.

Report outlines Missouri population growth
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Analysis from University of Missouri Extension has placed Missouri as the 19th-most-populous state in the U.S. as of 2024, with 6.25 million residents.

Missouri's best-kept secret is hiding in plain sight
How MU Extension helps people help themselves—all across the state.

4-H'ers shine at State Horse Judging Contest
FULTON, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Judging Contest on March 1 drew 88 4-H members from across the state to William Woods University in Fulton. The event provided youths and their coaches the opportunity to tour the university’s facilities and learn more about its equine program from faculty and staff, said Kelsey Fuller, MU Extension state 4-H agriculture educator. Top 10 competitors, ages 8-10

NW Extension team wins big at Extension & Engagement Week
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension hosted its annual Extension & Engagement Week Oct. 21-23. The event brought together community leaders, educators and administrators from across Missouri to celebrate and strengthen the university’s mission of public engagement and outreach.

MU Extension selects winner, finalists for NW County Council of the Year
NORTHWEST MISSOURI – The University of Missouri Extension County Council of the Year award is a recognition given during Extension and Engagement Week, held each October, to build relationships between MU Extension, campus, and community partners. The award recognizes the central role Extension Councils have in:

Youths demonstrate speaking, presentation, artistic skills at 4-H equine event
SEDALIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Horse Public Speaking and Demonstration and Youth Equine Fine Arts and Poster contests took place Wednesday, July 24, in Sedalia. Youths demonstrated their speaking, presentation and artistic abilities while sharing their equine knowledge, said Maria Calvert, University of Missouri Extension state 4-H agriculture educator.

Tar spot growing in Missouri corn crops
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A yield-robbing corn disease, tar spot, is gaining ground in Missouri. Tar spot has been confirmed in 19 counties in 2024, says University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist Mandy Bish. Corn growers in nearly half of the state’s counties have reported tar spot since Missouri’s first confirmed case in 2018.

Heatstroke can kill quickly in hot cars
COLUMBIA, Mo. – When the news has another tragic story about a child accidentally left in a hot car, parents might believe they could never make a mistake like that. “It’s not just negligent parents or indifferent caregivers. When juggling the demands of work, parenting and daily life, it’s easier than you might think to make a simple but fatal mistake,” says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri Extension health and safety…

Severe-weather resources from MU Extension
News releases, videos, publications and more. Publications In-depth information is available from these MU Extension publications, which are available for free download. (To access publications, use the links below or go extension.missouri.edu/publications/ and search by publication number.)

Lafayette County MU Extension District makes strides toward long-term legacy
HIGGINSVILLE, Mo. – In April 2023, local voters approved a tax levy for the expansion and improvement of extension-related services to Lafayette County. This investment focused on financial security, hands-on learning, bridging technology and health gaps, and establishing and improving educational and engagement facilities for Lafayette County.

Missouri 4-H celebrates National Volunteer Appreciation Week
COLUMBIA, Mo. – During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 21-27, Missouri 4-H extends its heartfelt gratitude to the thousands of volunteers who make a difference in the lives of young people across the state.

Missouri SBDC continues to “Elevate” second-stage businesses
This spring, five Missouri small businesses began the journey to grow beyond the second stage. Through the Missouri Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC’s) Elevate program, these five business owners, at no cost to them, are gaining knowledge from various experts that most small-business owners rarely have access to.

Tar spot of corn confirmed in June in Missouri – the earliest ever
In June 2023, tar spot of corn was confirmed in Holt and Marion counties, Missouri, marking the earliest detection in the state.

Graves-Chapple weather station updates to real-time information
ROCK PORT, Mo. – An upgraded University of Missouri weather station in Atchison County now provides real-time weather data. The South Atchison weather station will give the agricultural community automated critical information, says Jim Crawford, director of the MU Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center.

Flood-related resources from MU Extension
News releases, publications and more. News releases

Volunteers are the heart of Missouri 4-H
COLUMBIA, Mo. – During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 16-22, 2023, Missouri 4-H wants to thank the heart of the organization, the volunteers! Each year, thousands of people choose to spend their time volunteering for Missouri 4-H, and because of their efforts 4-H can provide a wide variety of opportunities for Missouri’s youth.

Lafayette County woman honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, April 16-22, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to present Emily Bergsieker with the 2023 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. Bergsieker is recognized for more than 13 years of service and support to 4-H in Lafayette County.“We are honored to recognize Emily Bergsieker for her outstanding efforts on behalf of Lafayette County 4-H,” said Rachel Augustine, director of the…

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.