
Crop, forage producer event set for Aug. 14 in Palmyra
PALMYRA, Mo. – Row crop and livestock producers can hear the latest disease, insect and forage updates at the fourth annual University of Missouri Extension Crop and Forage Chat on Aug. 14 at Hall’s Hall in Palmyra. Doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner at 5:30 p.m. Presentations run 6-8:30 p.m. The event is free, but registration is required.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

Macon County woman honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to present Angela Helton with the Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. Helton is recognized for more than 25 years of service and support to 4-H in Macon County. “We are honored to recognize Angela Helton for her outstanding efforts on behalf of Macon County 4-H,” said Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation.

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 4-H youths fall into fashion
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H State Fashion Revue, Oct. 14 on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia, drew 61 youth participants representing 25 counties across the state. Workshops were hosted by MU’s Textile and Apparel Management students and Collegiate 4-H members, said Megan Kershner, MU Extension 4-H clubs manager and awards coordinator.

NE Missouri couple learns about forestry on 55th wedding anniversary
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A forestry field day might seem like an unlikely place to spend a wedding anniversary, says University of Missouri Extension natural resources specialist Brian Schweiss. But a northeastern Missouri couple thought it sounded like “a good outing to someplace we had never been before” to celebrate 55 years of a marriage as strong as the forest’s trees.

MU Extension to hold crop and forage chat in Palmyra
PALMYRA, Mo. - Producers in northeastern Missouri can hear crop and forage updates from University of Missouri Extension specialists at a free event in August.The MU Extension Crop and Forage Chat will be 9-11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at the Shawn Kiefaber/Kenny Lovelace Farm, 1 mile west of Palmyra, off U.S. 61 on County Road 318. In the event of rain, the event will move to the fairgrounds livestock barn at Flower City Park, 1000 W. New…

Top 5 livestock forage actions to take during drought
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Most of Missouri is experiencing drought conditions, which have extended almost a full year, putting enormous pressure on cattle producers. University of Missouri Extension specialists have five top action items for producers to do now:

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.

2023 MU leadership tour showcases partnerships in NE Missouri
What do a lavender farm, a distillery, a lively coffee shop, dozens of cover crop test plots and a college and careers pathway program for youth have in common? They show how the University of Missouri works to strengthen Missouri’s economy and empower people to improve their lives.

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.

MU Extension Feedlot School set for March 22-23, Kirksville
Missouri cattle producers: Attend the Feedlot School in Kirksville, March 22-23, to learn about cattle nutrition, health management, and economics.

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…

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).

Calling Missouri employers for digital skill-building opportunity
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri businesses struggle to recruit and retain employees with the technology know-how that companies need. To address that challenge, University of Missouri Extension, in partnership with the MU College of Engineering, launched the Digital Transformation Certificate Program to provide employees with technology training.

MU Extension guide, spreadsheet help estimate farmland values
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Buyers and sellers who need an estimate of the value of a piece of farmland may not always find it feasible to get an appraisal, particularly one that reflects the land’s historical value needed to calculate taxes and settle estates.