The following publications might be of particular interest to people in Webster County. For a complete list of MU Extension publications, visit the main Publications page.

Missouri Farm Labor Guide

Revised

Learn good human resource practices related to employee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training and termination that your farm or agribusiness can use.

Grass Clippings, Compost and Mulch: Questions and Answers

Reviewed

Yard waste is valuable landscape resource. Visit our site for our Grass Clippings, Compost and Mulch: Questions and Answers resource.

Routine Animal Mortality Management Options in Missouri

Revised

Law requires that the body of an animal be disposed within 24 hours after death. Learn how to acceptably transport and dispose of animal carcasses.

Starting and Operating a Farmers Market: Frequently Asked Questions

Revised

Learn what makes a farmers market successful and feasible. Get tips about how to start or improve a market to make local food available in your community.

Safe Tractor Operation

Revised

The purpose of this guide is to assist employers and employees in training for safe tractor operation. Farm employers should review this guide with anyone who operates a farm tractor.

Safe Home Canning Basics

Revised

​Learn safe home canning techniques to preserve fruits, vegetables, meats, and more. Follow research-based methods to ensure food safety and quality.

How to Can Fresh Fruit

Reviewed

Did you know there's more than one way to can fresh fruit? Learn the options and what they mean for your final color and taste.

How to Can Sweet Spreads

Revised

Jelly, jam, preserves, conserves, marmalades and fruit butters are similar products. All are made from fruit, preserved by sugar and thickened or gelled to some extent.

How to Dehydrate Foods

Revised

Dehydrated foods are a sensible way for busy families to make healthy, portable snacks or store seasonal produce for use. You need to carefully follow directions for preparing and pretreating produce to maintain quality.

How to Can Meat, Fish and Poultry

Revised

Learn safe, research-based methods for canning meat, fish, and poultry using pressure canning to prevent foodborne illnesses.

Steps for Successful Home Canning

Revised

Developed by Barbara Willenberg

Revised by Susan Mills-Gray
State Nutrition Specialist

How to Can Fresh Tomato Products

Revised

Developed by Barbara Willenberg

Revised by Susan Mills-Gray
State Nutrition Specialist

How to Freeze Fruits

Reviewed

Developed by Barbara Willenberg

Revised by Susan Mills-Gray
State Nutrition Specialist

How to Can Fresh Vegetables

Revised

Learn to safely can fresh vegetables in this research-based guide covering asparagus, beans, beets, carrots, corn, okra, peas, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins and spinach. Recommended pressure canner process times are provided.

Introduction to Food Dehydration

Dehydration is one of the oldest methods of food preservation, though methods for drying food have become sophisticated over time. Learn the benefits and methods of dehydrating foods and how to select an electric dehydrator.

Selling Strategies for Local Food Producers

Revised

Learn how farms can market local food directly to consumers by building relationships with buyers, discovering customer needs, providing quality service.

Verbal Farm Rental Agreements Under Missouri Law

Revised

Learn about the problems and risks associated with informal verbal farm leases, and see the minimum requirements to include in a basic written lease.

Farmers’ Liability for Their Animals

Revised

Animal owners can have legal liability for acts of their farm livestock or pets. Learn about animal owner responsibilities and how to protect yourself from a lawsuit.

Missouri Frost/Freeze Probabilities Guide

Reviewed

Where in Missouri you live can make a big difference on when to expect your first or last frost. See this guide for probabilities based on past years.

Composting Dead Swine

Reviewed

Teng Teeh Lim
Extension Agricultural Engineer, Food Systems and Bioengineering Joseph Zulovich

How to Use Dehydrated Foods

Reviewed

Developed by Barbara Willenberg
Revised by Susan Mills-Gray, State Nutrition Specialist

Tree Pests: Emerald Ash Borer

New

Emerald ash borer is an invasive, wood-boring insect that infests and kills ash trees. Learn the signs, symptoms and management and how to slow the spread.

Bacteria in Drinking Water

Revised

Bob Broz
Extension Water Quality State Specialist
Division of Food Systems and Bioengineering

Controlling Runoff and Erosion at Urban Construction Sites

Reviewed

Runoff from construction sites is a major source of sediment. Visit our site to learn about Controlling Runoff and Erosion at Urban Construction Sites.

Insects

Reviewed $10

Chapter 12 of the Missouri Master Gardener Core Manual

David Trinklein
Division of Plant Sciences