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Missouri 4-H Week unites youths for leadership, learning at Mizzou
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Following Memorial Day weekend, hundreds of 4-H members gathered for Missouri 4-H Week, an annual event held on the University of Missouri campus. This weeklong celebration features two major events for the 4-H program: 4-H Teen Conference and State 4-H Congress.
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Free plant disease diagnosis at Crop & Pest Field Day
Those attending the July 10 University of Missouri Crop and Pest Management Field Day in Columbia can bring plants for early-season disease diagnosis. Peng Tian, director of the MU Plant Diagnostic Clinic, says it is a great opportunity for corn, soybean and wheat growers to receive free diagnostic testing for plant health issues resulting from insect, pathogens, weeds, environmental stress or other damage.
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Peppers: Easter eggs of the garden
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Bearing fruit ranging in color from red, orange and yellow to purple, white and chocolate-black, sweet peppers are the Easter eggs of the vegetable garden, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Mow or spot spray poison hemlock now
Poison hemlock, a plant that can kill livestock, is flowering and setting seed now in much of Missouri. While early control is recommended, it still can be managed with spot treatments or mowing, says Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri Extension weed scientist. It grows in ditches, roadways, fencerows, occasionally in pastures or hayfields that aren’t mowed regularly, and sometimes in no-till cropping systems.
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SGF Kickball earns Best Neighborhood Program award at Neighborhoods USA Conference
Michael Brittian and Ed Goeke returned to Springfield from the 50th annual conference of Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) in Jacksonville, Fla., May 20-23, with the Best Neighborhood Program award in the Social Revitalization category. This year’s conference had 525 registered attendees from 36 states and featured workshops, speakers, tours, networking and an awards program.
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Use a grazing strategy to get more grass from pastures
Compared to other parts of the agricultural community, graziers of cattle depend less on fossil fuel and more on solar energy to turn a natural resource like grass into a sellable commodity, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Tim Schnakenberg. Graziers can save on operating expenses and provide quality feed to meet nutritional needs by allowing cows to do selective harvesting.
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Nativars: Superheroes of the plant world
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Nativars, superhero plants that possess the virtues of native plants but in a more attractive package, make good choices for landscaped areas. Use nativars as part of your gardening “green movement,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Missouri 4-H Foundation awards $101,000 in scholarships
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation has awarded 78 scholarships totaling $101,000 to 4-H youths across the state for the 2025-26 academic year.
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Making pizza in the garden
ALBANY, Mo. – University of Missouri’s Hundley-Whaley Extension and Education Center will soon help gardeners learn how to grow their own pizza toppings, says MU Extension field horticulturist Gwen Funk. The idea comes from thinking outside of the pizza box, and it delivers taste and fun, Funk says.
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Veteran R.E.A.D.S. hosts Jason Kander
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s Veteran R.E.A.D.S. Signature Speaker Series will feature Jason Kander, Afghanistan veteran, best-selling author and the 39th secretary of state of Missouri. On June 17 in Independence, Kander will discuss his memoir, “Invisible Storm: A Soldier’s Memoir of Politics and PTSD.” The discussion will be followed by a book signing.
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MU Extension shares research on spray drones at field day
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Attendees at the July 10 University of Missouri Crop and Pest Management Field Day in Columbia will hear updates on how spray drones are modernizing agriculture and what to expect when using these devices for weed control.
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MU RaFF releases policy brief on changes to Federal Milk Marketing Orders
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new policy brief by the University of Missouri Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF) weighs in on changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs).
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Replant or roll with it? MU guide weighs costs, payoffs
COLUMBIA, Mo. – When faced with a sparse or failed stand, crop producers have to ask themselves a difficult question: Should I replant?
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MU Extension offers free webinar series on virtual fencing
A free webinar series will introduce graziers to technology that uses GPS collars on livestock to create invisible fences. Monthly sessions run June through October.
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CEC Conference keynote to explore combating small-town apathy
Urban planner and author Jeff Siegler will talk about “Civic Apathy and Civic Pride” at the 2025 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference, Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in Excelsior Springs, Mo. Siegler, whose work focuses on restoring civic pride and reversing community disengagement, will deliver the closing keynote address at the conference.
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Learn how to grow, market mouthwatering watermelon
University of Missouri Extension offers a free evening workshop on growing and marketing watermelon July 15 at the MU Southwest Research, Extension and Education Center in Mount Vernon. The free event includes an hour of classroom time followed by a tour of the center’s watermelon demonstration site and an early variety taste test, says MU Extension horticulturist Matthew Huchteman.
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Cover crop, silvopasture incentive funding available
The University of Missouri Center for Regenerative Agriculture has opened a third round of funding for fall cover crop planting in Missouri. About $3 million is available for Missouri producers interested in using cover crops on their cropland through the Missouri Conservation Crop and Livestock Project. Payments are also available for planting trees under the silvopasture option.
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Severe weather resources from MU Extension
Prepare for Missouri's tornadoes, floods, and late-season winter storms with expert guidance, emergency kits, evacuation routes, and communication plans.
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Scout deep into fields for tar spot
Good scouting is the best way to identify tar spot in corn, says University of Missouri Extension state plant pathologist Mandy Bish. Tar spot was confirmed in June of 2023 and 2024 in Missouri, which is earlier than in previous years, when the disease showed up in August or September. This earlier appearance is likely to continue because Missouri’s spring air temperatures are favorable for the disease, says Bish.
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MU Extension offers online NRUP applicator training June 18
University of Missouri Extension will offer online noncertified restricted-use pesticide (NRUP) applicator training on June 18. The course comes in response to new Environmental Protection Agency guidelines on training for loaders, mixers and handlers of restricted-use pesticides working in a commercial application business under the supervision of a commercial licensed operator.
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MU Management Intensive Grazing School set for June 16-18 in Arcola
Efficient forage management and utilization are crucial to the profitability of a livestock operation. MU Extension, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Missouri Forage and Grasslands Council, and the Dade County Missouri Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will host a Management Intensive Grazing School June 16-18 at the Arcola Community Building at First Street and Highway 39 in Arcola.
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St. Louis workshop will help small food, farm businesses market with purpose
To help St. Louis area food and farm entrepreneurs market their businesses, MU Extension will host “Marketing With Purpose To Build Sales and Loyalty,” a free hands-on workshop, 5-7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at the St. Louis metro area MU Extension center.
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Free Birding and Habitat Walk at Prairie Fork on June 14
MU Extension and the Missouri Department of Conservation will hold a Birding and Habitat Walk 8:30-11 a.m. Saturday, June 14, at the Prairie Fork Conservation Area near Williamsburg. During the free event, participants will learn about birds and their habitats such as prairies, woodlands and forests.
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Greater marketing prospects, premium value for Missouri-produced heifers
University of Missouri Extension’s Show-Me-Select (SMS) Replacement Heifer Program offers increased marketing prospects and premium value, according to an analysis by Thiago Martins, state extension beef reproduction specialist, and Adauto Rocha Junior, assistant extension professor of agricultural business and policy.
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Learn about new and old pests at July 10 field day
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension specialists will share the latest pest management research July 10 at the Crop and Pest Management Field Day, says MU Extension state weed scientist Kevin Bradley. The annual event will be at Bradford Research Farm in Columbia. Presenters include MU Extension state crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida, who will show how to scout and sample for pests and discuss thresholds.