
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.

Lawn Art With Neighbors (LAWN) Strengthens Social Bonds Through Art April 23 – May 8 in Greene County
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Along with the invigorating energy of Spring, Lawn Art With Neighbors (LAWN) is popping up near you from April 23 to May 8, 2022, with front lawn art created by your neighbors throughout Greene County. Think of it as a museum without walls says Deidre Argyle, an art professor at Missouri State and founder of LAWN. “LAWN is a city-wide public art exhibition made for front lawns by community members located in and…

Hog Wild
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Having grown up on a farm in the foothills of the Missouri Ozarks, Jerry Richards was prepared for droughts, snowstorms and torrential rains. He wasn’t prepared for feral hogs.

Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors recognizes 2020, 2021 leaders
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors announced its 2021 award winners during the organization’s Jan. 28 meeting. Because last year’s meeting was canceled due to COVID-19, the organization also recognized the 2020 award winners at the event, which was held in Columbia at the Trowbridge Livestock Center on the University of Missouri campus.2021 award winners

Try These 100 Acts of Kindness To Celebrate Mister Rogers' Birthday on March 20
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - It only takes a small act of kindness to make a big difference in the life of someone in your community, like a service provider, a community leader, a lonely person or a neighbor.

Watercolor Notecards Provide a Personal Touch to Neighboring, Can be Relaxing
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- When a neighbor receives a kind note from us, especially if it is handwritten, they feel like the writer has a deeper desire to serve them or connect. “Isolated and lonely people desire a personal touch. This has always been true. But it is especially true during this period in our social history,” said David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

Discover Assets in Urban Neighborhood the Story of "Having Nothing, Possessing Everything" Says Author Mike Mather
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Michael Mather, author of "Having Nothing, Possessing Everything," was a guest in University of Missouri Extension's Neighboring 101 class on Dec. 16, 2021. He advocates for asset-based community development and never doing something for someone in a community that they can do for themselves.

Properly Fitted Bike Helmet Key to Reducing Injuries
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Bicycles remain a popular holiday gift purchase but the gift would be incomplete without a bicycle helmet according to Willa Williams, 4-H youth specialist in Greene County with University of Missouri Extension and a League Cycling Instructor. “When people are thinking about buying bicycles this holiday, remember to include a bicycle helmet,” said Williams. “All bike riders should wear bicycle helmets.”

Garden strengthens community across differences
A community garden in Noel, Missouri, brings together diverse groups, promoting cultural exchange, shared meals, and stronger connections across differences.

Humility is Key Attribute for Best Leaders According to Current Research
OZARK, Mo. – Superheroes may not be powered by humility, but great leaders are, according to Dr. Pam Duitsman, a county engagement specialist with University of Missouri Extension. “Many would not readily associate the quality of humility with strong leadership. We usually think of attributes like being strong, bold, confident, and decisive,” said Duitsman. “But a growing body of research is showing that humility is a key attribute…

Tigers United: Mascots set aside rivalries to help save relatives in the wild
Missouri families and educators! Truman has something important to share with you. As any loyal fan knows, Mizzou’s mascot, Truman, is a Bengal tiger. Sadly, the number of tigers in the wild has declined sharply over the last century. Today, there are fewer than 4,000 tigers left worldwide!

Why we no longer neighbor
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Many Americans recognize that relationships with neighbors are different today than 20 or 30 years ago. One study from the Harvard Medical School shows that 50 years ago, neighboring was talked about in terms of social relationships, but today it is spoken of in terms of etiquette. Specifically, things like "be quiet and leave me alone."

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.

Creating an Emergency Kit
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Greene County 4-H is partnering with the Greene County Office of Emergency Management to help youth and families get prepared for emergencies, and to get more youth interested in public safety careers. Teaching youth about emergency preparedness is important for several reasons according to Willa Williams, the new 4-H youth specialist in Greene County and also the Missouri 4-H youth preparedness program manager.

Neighboring Challenge logs 5,579 acts of neighboring in state; Greene County prizewinners announced
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – At the end of Good Neighbor Week in Missouri, organizers documented 5,579 acts of neighboring submitted by nearly 100 groups and individuals. In Greene County, where a 1,000 Acts of Neighboring Challenge was held, county residents documented 2,281 acts of neighboring, says David Burton, a county engagement specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

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.

Neighborhood Bingo Chart Available for Use in Your Community
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Neighborhood Bingo does not involve dabbers, a rotating bingo cage, or numbered balls. But it does require a game card created by a University of Missouri Extension specialist for use as a tool for connecting neighbors and families through a fun activity.

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.

Show-Me-Select lowers enrollment fees
COLUMBIA, Mo. – U.S. Marine Corps recruiters used to say they were “looking for a few good men.” University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Eldon Cole says he is “looking for a few good heifers” to help beef producers through the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program.

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.

MU Extension horticulturist searches for rare Ozark butterfly
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Kelly McGowan is on the hunt for the elusive Ozark woodland swallowtail, a pollinator unique to the Ozark region of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas.