With more than 4,000 cultivars, hostas are emperors of the shade
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A problem many gardeners face is what to plant in a shady area.Perhaps no plant brightens a shade garden more than the hosta, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. The hardy perennial thrives in shade and is easy to grow.“It is little wonder why hostas earned the title of ‘emperors of the shade,’” said Trinklein. “Their lush foliage brings attractive color to the shadiest of garden…
Undercover farming
JAMESTOWN, Mo. – There’s a thick coat of snow on the ground, but Liz Graznak is harvesting lettuce, spinach and other vegetables on her central Missouri farm.Graznak grows certified organic produce at Happy Hollow Farm, about a mile southwest of the Missouri River. She extended her growing season into the middle of winter by using a high tunnel, also known as a hoop house.
Pills, powders can't replace training and diet for young athletes
Young athletes, eager to be a starting player or earn a scholarship, may be tempted to follow the lead of pros and use performance enhancers to gain a competitive edge.Dale Brigham, University of Missouri nutrition and fitness specialist, said high school and college athletes are better off focusing on their diet and training, rather than relying on performance-enhancing supplements.
Middle school youth explore nontraditional careers at MU
COLUMBIA, Mo. – More than 70 middle school students became Mizzou Tigers for a day at a nontraditional career exploration event sponsored by University of Missouri campus partners and Commerce Bank on Wednesday, April 4.
June 5 bus tour to visit KC-area farms growing produce in high tunnels
OLATHE, Kan. – Until recently, Midwest farmers who grow fresh fruits and vegetables were limited to a relatively short growing season. However, increasing use of high tunnels, also called hoop houses, means farmers can extend their growing season.
Active aging — Stay strong and stay healthy
When people talk about being physically active, many think of aerobic activities, but it is also about being strong. Getting the heart and lungs working to full capacity has great health benefits. Walking is perhaps the most common form of this type of exercise. When the weather permits, the walkers abound. But as a person ages, fear of falling may prevent him/her from getting out and moving.
Cold, dry conditions delay planting and forage growth
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agronomists voiced concern during a teleconference that cool, dry conditions are causing delayed planting and slow forage growth statewide.
Sports nutrition for better performance
You train hard, learn about the latest techniques and make sure your equipment is top-notch. You work hard to be good at your sport. But have you fueled your body for the demands you place on it?
Show-Me-Select heifers average $1,555 in first spring sale at Farmington
FARMINGTON, Mo. – In the first sale of the year, April 20, the 150 Show-Me-Select replacement heifers averaged $1,555 per head. The bred heifers will calve this fall.The Farmington Livestock Auction is the newest in a statewide network of guaranteed heifer sales. This was the first of four spring sales across the state of SMS heifers.“It was a rough sale,” said David Patterson, beef reproduction specialist, University of Missouri…
Uncommon mite shows up in SW Missouri wheat fields
LAMAR, Mo. – An unusual pest—winter grain mite—has appeared in southwestern Missouri wheat fields. “I was scouting wheat fields and saw a small black insect with red legs and thought it was a nest of spiders at first,” said University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Jill Scheidt. “Then I began to see them everywhere by the thousands and knew it was something else.”
New physical activity recommendations
The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association have released their 2007 recommendations for physical activity. These guidelines have been revised since the last update in 1995. Their goal is to help people live more active and healthy lives.
First MU Master Pollinator Steward classes begin in May
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The first series of University of Missouri Extension Master Pollinator Steward classes begins mid-May in Jefferson City.Pollinators play a crucial role in the production of fruits, vegetables, honey and field crops, said MU Extension horticulturist James Quinn. Declining populations of bees, birds, butterflies, bats and insects led MU Extension to develop a curriculum to help the public learn about pollinators and…
MU Extension boosts local economies by training young business owners
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Employment patterns over the past decade are prompting many enterprising youths to explore business ownership as an avenue for income. Fourteen-year-old Jefferson City native Rebekah Kempker typifies the trend. The high school freshman and longtime 4-H’er started a craft manufacturing, marketing and merchandising business a couple years ago. Kempker readily admits she had only a vague idea of what she was doing when…
Youth gain business savvy with MU Extension 4-H
COLUMBIA, Mo. -From roadside lemonade stands to full-service car washes, young people have always dreamed of ways to earn extra spending money. Now, with guidance and support from University of Missouri Extension 4-H, these young people are learning how to turn their dreams into reality.
Rural youth learn homegrown leadership through MU Extension 4-H program
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Young rural Missourians between the ages of 11-18 are starting after-school programs, constructing community gardens, leading community drives to combat poverty and addressing hunger in their schools, all as part of a University of Missouri Extension 4-H program designed to grow new leaders in towns with fewer than 10,000 people.
Missouri Soybean Hall of Fame inducts George Washington Carver
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri native George Washington Carver was named the second member of the Missouri Soybean Center Hall of Fame during the third annual Soybean Symposium in April.“We can be proud that Missouri produced this great person. He was an agronomist with a mission,” said Bill Wiebold, director of the Missouri Soybean Center.
Missouri’s Master Naturalists aid conservation, education
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Across the state, volunteer master naturalists are monitoring water quality in streams, performing wildlife inventories, helping with prairie-restoration efforts and facilitating activities and educational programs at wildlife refuges, parks and conservation areas.
Using poultry litter in tall fescue seed production
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Farmers have long used poultry litter as a source of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. A ton of poultry litter contains roughly 55 pounds of nitrogen, 55 pounds of phosphate and 45 pounds of potash. Buying these nutrients in commercial form would cost about $75 at today’s prices.
Protect your vision with a healthy diet
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss for people over 60. A study from the National Institutes of Health found that people over the age of 75 had a 30 percent risk of AMD. But studies also show that eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains can lower your risk of AMD, said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist.
MU tackles food defense
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and MU Extension are teaching farmers, meat and poultry processors, agriculture students, food service professionals and others how to defend against intentional food contamination.“There are many vulnerable access points within the farm-to-table food chain,” said Bob Weaber, MU Extension beef specialist.
Prepare for grass tetany season
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A University of Missouri Extension beef nutrition specialist counsels farmers to prepare for grass tetany season in March.Grass tetany can result from a magnesium deficiency in spring calving herds consuming lush forages high in potassium and low in calcium and sodium, said Justin Sexten of the MU Extension Commercial Agriculture Program.
Worm composting reduces household wastes
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – If you’re intimidated by the idea of building and maintaining a backyard compost pile, an indoor alternative is to feed your fruit and vegetable scraps to worms.
Jump-start your garden by planting seeds indoors
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – If you are planning a large vegetable garden this year, growing your own transplants offers advantages over direct seeding. Germinating seeds in a greenhouse, hotbed or your home can reduce transplant mortality and improve seedling vigor, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.
Start your shears: it’s pruning time
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Gardeners should make a pruning tour of their landscape now to touch up trees and shrubs, especially those planted in the past two years, said a University of Missouri horticulturist. “There are several advantages to spring pruning,” said Chris Starbuck. “With no leaves, you can see what you are doing.”With rising temperatures, cold snaps are unlikely to damage new growth. Pruning cuts heal quickly.
Eager gardeners should be wary of last spring frost
COLUMBIA, Mo. –Gardeners eager to plant their first annuals and vegetables should be wary of a last spring frost.“I tell people, if you plant early, plant only what you don’t mind losing,” said Mary Kroening, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.Garden centers often urge early planting to help sales, but gardeners should be patient, she said.