Bells of Ireland: A St. Patrick's Day favorite
COLUMBIA, Mo. – St. Patrick’s Day is a time to celebrate Irish culture and everything green, including leprechauns and shamrocks. While shamrock is a well-known symbol of good luck, another interesting plant associated with good fortune is bells of Ireland, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund.
Author Chris Rodell Shares About Mr. Rogers Real Neighborhood in Neighboring 101 Class March 17
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Chris Rodell, author of "Growing Up in Mr. Rogers' REAL Neighborhood: Life Lessons from the Heart of Latrobe, PA," will be the live guest in University of Missouri Extension's free monthly zoom class, Neighboring 101, starting at noon (CST) on Thursday, March 17.
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.
Strengthening Missouri manufacturing
ST. PETERS, Mo. – Manufacturing is a key segment of Missouri’s economy, representing 12%, or nearly $40 billion, of Missouri’s gross state product. But Missouri manufacturers struggled during the pandemic and continue to face pressing challenges, such as worker shortages, inflation and supply chain disruptions, said U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer at a Feb. 25 gathering of St. Charles-area manufacturers.
Creating Entrepreneurial Communities: Promoting community revitalization through entrepreneurship
HANNIBAL, Mo. – Last September, more than 70 people gathered in Hannibal for the 2021 Creating Entrepreneurial Communities conference.
Reducing grass tetany in cattle
“With lush grass growth coming in the spring, it is time to manage cattle and implement mineral supplementation strategies to reduce the incidence of grass tetany in your cattle operation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Cattle grass tetany symptoms result from low blood magnesium levels.
How to properly care for the newborn calf
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Many beef and dairy calves will be born in the next three months. As spring calving season approaches, University of Missouri Extension experts stress the importance of properly caring for newborn calves.
Black female entrepreneur “being the change,” Locs of Glory - St. Louis, MO
Tameka Stigers is passionate about seeing more Black-owned businesses serving the needs of the Black community.“We [Blacks] are consumers,” Stigers said. “We’re always consuming and not owning. We have to change that.”
Missouri youths attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta
Missouri youths gathered with others from across the nation for the 2021 National 4-H Congress, Nov. 26-30 in Atlanta.
Converting from Kentucky 31 begins in the spring
GALENA, Mo. – Ernest Newton Fergus, a University of Kentucky forage specialist in the 1930s and 1940s, did the livestock industry a great favor when he propagated Kentucky 31 fescue, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Tim Schnakenberg.
Food Truck Festival: Just one of the ways to nourish a county
Jennifer Williams, county engagement specialist (CES) in community economic development, has been going above and beyond for MU Extension in Carter County. One of the most exciting things? Despite the challenges of mounting an event during a pandemic, Jennifer planned and put on the first annual Current River Food Truck Festival in Van Buren.
Helping to Create Healthy, Engaged Neighbor Relationships is an Essential Part of Community Betterment
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Nearly 150 communities in Missouri have a "community betterment association" of some type. The goal of the community betterment association can vary from town to town.
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.
County endowment funds: a way of paying forward
Ever since Dr. Maude Harris, County Engagement Specialist in Nutrition and Health, started working for MU Extension in Scott County 26 years ago, she has donated a portion of each paycheck to her county's endowment fund. Over the years, those steady gifts have helped build up the endowment principal amount to the level where the fund now can be used to support programming.
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.
Romantic Valentine's Day houseplants
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Red roses have long been a hallmark of Valentine’s Day. But the beauty of fresh flowers is fleeting, while a houseplant can be a long-lasting expression of affection.Houseplants with heart-shaped leaves can be just the right gift for a special person, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund, who has a few suggestions for picking that perfect plant.
Giving back to help youth build belonging and community
One donor with a vision can make such a powerful difference in the lives of Missouri youth. A generous estate gift from Kathryn McKillip Thrift to the Missouri 4-H Foundation is one such example.
Mental Health & Self-Care
It is important to take care of our mental health through daily and weekly self-care. There are times in life when we are going to feel overwhelmed whether it’s impending deadlines, a long to-do list, tension with a family member or friend, everyone experiences stress. The response to that stress is what impacts our mental health.
Growing 4-H programs and youth success
More Missouri youth are now connecting with 4-H thanks to supporters like Ken Donohew and Ellen Kippel who are dedicated to helping MU Extension bring Mizzou to all Missourians. The couple established the Kenyon Grant Harman, Dorothy Donohew Amos, Carolyn Harman Zollman and Ruth Cora Harman Inclusion and Diversity Fund for MU Extension and Engagement. The fund supports efforts to encourage diversity and inclusion in program…
Hundreds of Different Choices Define Neighboring Relationships
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Developing positive and loving relationships with your neighbors does not happen in one day or even one week. Instead, the relationship takes time and depends on hundreds of different choices, said David Burton, county engagement specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
MU Extension publication, website guide farm families during short-term absences
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new University of Missouri Extension publication and related online tool can guide farmers through the difficult task of keeping the farm running when the owner or key decision-maker cannot.When someone becomes ill or incapacitated, family members often struggle with finding key information, says MU Extension agricultural business and policy specialist Mary Sobba.
Marking a 100-year legacy for 8 Missouri 4-H families
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation recently recognized eight families with the 2021 Missouri 4-H Century Family Award. Each family represents a combined 100 years or more of membership and volunteer service within 4-H.Lewis CountyThe Taylor FamilyMarion CountyThe Bross FamilyVernon County
Get 'nearly free' fertilizer by frost seeding legumes
COLUMBIA, Mo. – High nitrogen prices make it especially important to consider frost seeding legumes this winter, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Craig Roberts. “2022 is different because fertilizer costs have tripled,” Roberts says. “Consider legumes as nearly free fertilizer.” (See the Farm Progress article “Seasonal Fertilizer Prices” at bit.ly/33h4YD5.)
With high fertilizer prices, are you better off buying fertilizer or supplemental hay?
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Increases in fertilizer prices add to the cost of growing forage for grazing. This leads farmers to ask if they should buy hay or fertilizer, says University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist John Lory.Comparing the benefits of buying hay vs. applying fertilizer for better yields is complicated, but it is crucial to the bottom line, says Lory.