Develop a family crisis plan
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The best time to prepare for an emergency is when there is no emergency, says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist. National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is held annually in September and is a good time to develop a crisis plan, says Funkenbusch.
Study maps future workforce demands of state’s No. 1 economic driver: agriculture industries
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Over the next decade, Missouri’s food, agriculture and forestry industries are projected to generate 13,000 job openings each year. Deliberate statewide planning and action will ensure a globally competitive workforce for employers in these industries that are foundational to Missouri’s economy.
Getting employees in recovery back into the workplace
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Opioid addiction keeps an estimated 1 million Missourians out of the workforce and costs the state about $1 million an hour, including the loss of jobs and wages. A new University of Missouri community health initiative will help rural communities counter the effects of the opioid crisis by focusing on local workforce recovery efforts, which could also help faltering rural economies.
Brewing up business and spirits: One brewpub’s pandemic experience, Minglewood Brewery - Cape Girardeau, MO
Craft beers and cocktails in a can — delivered curbside or to your door: two ways you can get your favorite drinks from your local watering hole while socially distancing in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in 2020.
New Class Teaches You to Become an Engaged Neighbor; Practice on National Good Neighbor Day Sept. 28
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- National Good Neighbor Day is this month, and University of Missouri Extension is encouraging residents of Republic, Ash Grove, Bois D'Arc, Willard, and Walnut Grove to find ways to celebrate the day on Sept. 28 (or alternately Saturday, Sept. 26). “Neighboring does take time and effort. But, there are both personal and community benefits,” said David Burton, county engagement specialist with University of Missouri…
Corn residue: cheap grazing for cattle
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Grazing drought-dried corn and cornstalks offers cattle inexpensive, nutritious forage, say two University of Missouri Extension specialists.Many corn and livestock growers turned to longtime MU Extension livestock specialist Eldon Cole to ask about grazing dried-up corn after persistent drought in southwestern Missouri this season.SW Missouri cows thrive in drought-stricken corn
FireUP Your HR for Small Business
Seize the opportunity to develop real-time human resource (HR) tools in order to get better results and gain a distinct competitive edge.
4-H scholarship donors help youth leaders develop and flourish
For longtime Missouri 4-H member Hannah Persell, the power of giving goes beyond words. Persell — a University of Missouri senior studying agriculture business management — received one of the 501 scholarships totaling $515,800 that the Missouri 4-H Foundation awarded during MU's comprehensive Our Time to Lead giving campaign.
Communication matters as you move from 'Grunt I' to CEO
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Who will run the farm? It’s the elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about until the owner dies or can no longer run the farm, says Wesley Tucker. Tucker is a fourth-generation farmer and succession planning coordinator for University of Missouri Extension. He helps farm families pass management and ownership of the family farm to the next generation.
Wantland tops 2020 State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest
SEDALIA, Mo. – The State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest looked somewhat different this year, but Lila Wantland remained consistent and led the field in dominating fashion at the Aug. 22 event held at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. Wantland repeated her 2019 win, following up 2018 and 2017 victories in the intermediate division.
Online learning a struggle in many rural communities
“We are in desperate need,” says Michelle Kleeman, 4-H club leader and owner of Kleeman Family Farm in southwestern Missouri. These five words describe the frustration many rural families face without access to one of today’s essential school supplies — high-speed internet. The challenges are even greater this year as many schools move some or all classes online to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Survey Results of COVID-19 Remote Arrangements
University of Missouri Extension Wright County Engagement Specialist Janice Weddle and University of Missouri Extension Douglas County Engagement Specialist Dr. Krista Tate conducted surveys in rural areas to better understand and document outcomes surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic remote work and school arrangements. After analyzing data collected from March to July, the results have been compiled.
4-H teens teach Healthy Habits
Teen leaders in the Missouri 4-H Healthy Habits program are promoting nutrition education and food access to underserved youths and families. The program is supported by the National 4-H Council and the Walmart Foundation.
Missouri 4-H launches youth nutrition ambassador program
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Earlier this summer, a special group of Kansas City area teens worked diligently to meet others’ needs in the midst of a pandemic. Part of an innovative new club format, six 4-H members assembled and distributed 54 healthy recipe kits to families through a partnership with the Walmart Foundation and the mobile food pantry at Kansas City’s Ruskin High School.
Streaming through a pandemic, Creative Edge - Cape Girardeau, MO
Wray founded Creative Edge in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in 1999, largely as a real estate marketing agency. His primary goal was to build a company that helped businesses “create their edge in the marketplace.” The company now produces nearly 50 real estate TV shows across the country. Recently, Wray added a Creative Services division that works with other industries, including agriculture, health care, and manufacturing. At the end of…
Hay: Weigh, test and sample before you buy
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – Weigh, test and sample hay before buying or selling, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Eldon Cole.
SDS appearing in Missouri soybean fields
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agronomists reported during their weekly teleconference that sudden death syndrome (SDS) is showing up in soybean fields across the state.MU Extension plant pathologist Kaitlyn Bissonnette says she is not surprised that the yield-robbing disease has reared its ugly head.
Missouri 4-H breaking down barriers, welcoming all youths
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri 4-H, in partnership with the Missouri After School Network (MASN), now has five faculty members trained as Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualifying Administrators. After attending training in 2019 and 2020, faculty members Donna Garcia, Brad Lademann, Sarah Morefield and Shaun Murphy dove right in, working with youth leaders within the Missouri 4-H State Council, conducting training, assessments…
Treat spider mites now
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Scout now for spider mites, says University of Missouri Extension field crops entomologist Kevin Rice. Dry weather throughout the state creates ideal conditions for spider mite outbreaks.MU Extension agronomists reported mites in fields across the state during their weekly teleconference on Aug. 26. Mite populations can double about every five to seven days under drought conditions.
Leadership Lesson: It is Halftime, What Adjustments Will You Make?
Most coaches have a pre-game plan. For example, Coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs has his first 15 players of the game planned out before the kickoff. Then as the game unfolds there are always surprises. Then comes the mid-point of the game. Halftime is where the real genius of coaches shows up. "The halftime adjustments separate good coaches from the great coaches," said David Burton, county engagement specialist for…
Dahlias dazzle in early fall
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Unlike many garden flowers that begin to lose their luster as summer fades into fall, dahlias are at their best in early autumn, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. The warm days and cool nights cause dahlias to bloom with intense, dazzling color.
MU plant diagnostic clinic helps Amish producers in Clark
CLARK, Mo. – On Friday mornings at the Clark Produce Auction, University of Missouri Extension agronomist Dhruba Dhakal sets up a table, plant posters and an MU Extension sign. MU Extension’s objective is to serve all Missourians with resources and research needed to improve lives, communities and the economy. When Dhakal noticed Amish producers in Clark could benefit from a plant diagnostic clinic, he knew there was only one thing to…
His time to lead
COLUMBIA, Mo. – For Mike Kateman, selling his grand champion reserve calf, Boots, was a great life lesson, and joining 4-H was just an expectation.“You really learn to be competitive, but to be competitive with yourself in terms of ‘how can I continually do better?’” he said.Growing up in Cooper County, Kateman was a member of the Willing Workers 4-H Club in Blackwater, Missouri. He now serves as assistant vice chancellor for…
Chadwick Higgins is MU Extension's new associate vice chancellor
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Chadwick C. Higgins is the University of Missouri’s new associate vice chancellor for extension and engagement, effective Aug. 17. Higgins continues MU Extension and Engagement’s work to develop innovative, relevant programming and partnerships to solve Missouri’s grand challenges related to the economy, education and health. His appointment follows an extensive national search and interview process.
New dairy podcast takes research to the barn
MONETT, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist Reagan Bluel is a self-proclaimed “science geek.” She likes pawing through the latest science journals to keep on the cutting edge of dairy research that could improve the bottom line of Missouri dairy producers.