
Billions of cicadas bring buzzy magic to Missouri in 2024
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Billions of cicadas will buzz this spring as two broods emerge at the same time. These broods last emerged together in 1803 and won’t appear together again for 221 years. That means that your grandchildren’s great-great-great grandchildren likely will be the next group to experience the dual emergence of these cicada broods that appear in 13- and 17-year life cycles, says University of Missouri Extension specialist…

MU Extension helps young fisherman make a difference
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Thirteen-year-old Jack Murphy is out to make a difference in his Kansas City neighborhood. An avid fisherman and environmentalist, Murphy was just 10 when he began advocating to improve North Terrace Lake in Kansas City’s 1,800-acre Kessler Park. Three years later, his determination remains as fierce as ever. He wants the park cleaner and safer, for people and fish.

Veteran and urban groups team up to grow produce and peace of mind
Veterans and urban farmers collaborate in St. Louis to grow fresh produce, build community, and support mental well-being through agriculture.

Show-Me MO Success podcast: Platte County, MU Extension give Dorothy Day Cabin a new purpose
KANSAS CITY, Mo. –The Dorothy Day Cabin sits in the Green Hills of Platte Wildlife Preserve just a few minutes north of downtown Kansas City. Dorothy Day, an artist and conservationist, lived in the cabin until her death in 2011. Platte County spent $1 million to preserve the cabin and has looked for ways for the public to make use of it.

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.

KC landscape business grows with help from the Missouri APEX Accelerator
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – When Chris Henry wanted to grow his lawn care business, RC Landscape Services, to pursue government jobs in the Kansas City area, he turned to the Missouri APEX Accelerator, a program of University of Missouri Extension.

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

Show-Me MO Success podcast: Empowering women in politics, part 2
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Women make up 51% of Missouri’s population but only 22% of the state legislature. according to a 2016 report prepared for Women’s Foundation by the University of Missouri Institute of Public Policy, The latest episode of “Show-Me MO Success,” the MU Business and Communities Extension podcast, continues the conversation from the Feb. 19 podcast on closing the gender gap in civic representation.

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).

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.

10 Missouri small businesses prepare to “Elevate” beyond the second stage
Ten Missouri small businesses from diverse industries are participating in the 2022 Elevate program to advance beyond the second stage.

A key Missouri asset: MU Extension generated $1.2 billion economic impact in FY21
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension generated an estimated $1.2 billion economic impact throughout Missouri in fiscal year 2021, according to a recent impact analysis. That amount contributed to the University of Missouri System’s overall $6.5 billion economic impact statewide.

Tigers United: Mascots set aside rivalries to help save relatives in the wild
Tiger mascots unite across universities to raise awareness and help save wild tigers from extinction.

Missouri SBDC receives grant to help underserved communities succeed with the Small Business Innovation Research Program
MISSOURI – The Missouri SBDC (Small Business Development Centers) was awarded $125,000 for specialized training, business counseling, and technical assistance for research and development (R&D)-focused small businesses under the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program.

The Cherry Company, Kansas City, MO
Thalia Cherry's entrepreneurial journey with The Cherry Company showcases growth through strategic coaching, highlighting her success in Kansas City.

Branson Airport, Hollister, MO
Branson Airport partnered with local experts to navigate the challenges of the pandemic, benefiting from various support programs to enhance travel recovery.

Good News Brewing, Defiance, MO
Good News Brewing in Defiance, MO, has thrived during the pandemic, seizing growth opportunities with the help of local business support

Lone Star Physiques, Kirkville, MO
Lone Star Physiques in Kirksville, MO, is a personal fitness business highlighting client success stories and rural entrepreneurship.

The Export Plan: Pricing Strategy
Now that you’ve identified a country for export and have selected a path to your customers, it’s a good time to start to think about pricing. You’ll need to make the important decision on what you will charge for your product. In this issue, we’ll discuss the additional costs you can expect to incur when exporting to a foreign county and will review how those should be factored into the sales price of your product.

Self-performing woman-owned construction business pushing it forward, Hartline Construction - Kansas City, MO
Coming out of the recession and opening her own company, Jennifer Hart wanted to ensure it would last, so she took every business class she could think of. The Elevate program is the latest of those classes. Programs like Elevate “help small companies push it forward,” Hart said.

Export Planning Streamlined
The Missouri Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) recently brought a new international export business planning platform to small businesses across the state.

Suicide prevention in the workplace
In the United States alone, suicide accounts for nearly 40,000 lost lives per year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. That's an average of one suicide every 13 minutes. The truth is that anyone can be at risk. Sometimes you NEED help. Sometimes you ARE the help.

The Export Plan: Market Entry Strategy
In the previous article, we looked at tools that were available online from US Census sources and through Missouri SBDC counselors to identify potential markets at the country level. This resulted in a prioritized list of countries to consider for export based on factors such as U.S.

Sally Williams Selected as 2021 Missouri SBDC State Star
Williams’s colleagues have described her as having a deep dedication to her work and her clients as well as delivering quality and caring, one-on-one counseling and training facilitation that makes a difference.