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.
Safe Drinking Water in an Emergency
Reviewed
Learn how to store and purify water safely for emergencies, including boiling, bleach treatment, and proper container use.
Caterpillars in Your Yard and Garden
Reviewed
Caterpillars are some of the most easily observed insects in backyards and gardens. Learn to identify them so you will know what type of butterflies or moths they will turn into.
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.
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.
How to Can Fresh Vegetables
Revised
Learn to safely can fresh vegetables in this research-based guide. 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.
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
Learn to safely prepare and preserve homemade jellies, jams, and fruit butters using tested canning techniques and proper ingredient ratios.
How to Dehydrate Foods
Revised
Learn how to dehydrate fruits and vegetables safely with tips on preparation, pretreatment, and storage for longer-lasting, quality results.
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
Learn safe, research-based home canning methods for preserving seasonal produce, including proper equipment, processing times, and techniques.
How to Can Fresh Tomato Products
Revised
Learn safe home canning of tomatoes, including acidification, packing methods, and processing times, to prevent botulism and preserve quality.
How to Freeze Fruits
Reviewed
Learn how to freeze fruits effectively, including tips on preparation, preventing darkening, and approximate yields for various fruits.
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 livestock or pets. Learn about animal owner responsibilities, 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
Composting swine carcasses with organic matter offers a low-effort, biosecure way to meet Missouri's animal mortality disposal requirements.
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.
How to Use Dehydrated Foods
Reviewed
Learn how to rehydrate and cook dehydrated fruits and vegetables for use in soups, casseroles, and baked goods.
Bacteria in Drinking Water
Revised
Learn about waterborne bacteria, health risks, testing methods, and disinfection techniques to ensure safe drinking water for humans and animals.
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.