Q&A with ag engineering specialist Shirin Ghatrehsamani
Shirin Ghatrehsamani, left, with other MU Agriculture and Environment Extension team members at a demonstration of drone applications at a University of Central Missouri farm.
Afterschool, extension professionals learn fundraising sustainability at Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
COLUMBIA, Mo. – More than a dozen working professionals from the afterschool field and University of Missouri Extension recently completed training from The Fund Raising School at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, learning important fundraising principles and strategies for sustainability.
Watermelon: The food of angels
COLUMBIA, Mo. – July, National Watermelon Month, is the time to celebrate this thirst-quenching, vitamin-rich garden delight.Mark Twain wrote that one who has tasted watermelon “knows what the angels eat.”“Aptly named, watermelon is 92% water,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. It is part of the gourd family, which also includes cucumber, squash, pumpkin and muskmelon.
Q&A with livestock specialist David Hoffman
What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri?
Mizzou Weed Science shares Seed Terminator research
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In the 1984 film “The Terminator,” a robotic assassin played by Arnold Schwarzenegger warns, “I’ll be back.” If waterhemp could talk, it might say the same thing. Waterhemp can’t be bargained with. It can’t be reasoned with. The prolific producer of seeds is the state’s No. 1 weed, robbing Missouri agriculture of millions of dollars each year.
Celebrate Christmas in July with painted leaf poinsettia
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Plant lovers who can’t wait until December for Christmas poinsettias can celebrate in July. Although not as splashy as its winter relative, painted leaf poinsettia is a mid-year gift, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund.
Plawking Could Benefit Your Neighborhood
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Sunni Purviance is president of the Southeast Neighborhood in Roanoke, Virginia. She has worked hard to improve the reputation of her neighborhood. "Our reputation is based on our worst neighborhoods in the quadrant, which unfortunately are riddled with slums and blight and littered and all that comes along with that," said Sunni.
Being a Good Neighbor is a Choice
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Researchers and authors have used a variety of terms to describe the state of neighboring in America. “Some now refer to American neighborhoods as having a smile and wave culture,” said David Burton, county engagement specialist with University of Missouri Extension. “Others have said that we have moved away from neighboring because we have developed a culture of privacy.”
Helping communities become digitally connected
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Adoption of broadband has the potential to boost a community’s economic growth and quality of life. But in much of Missouri, especially rural areas, the high-bandwidth wirelines to connect households and businesses don’t exist.
The Export Plan: Market Research
Now that you have confirmed there are no export restrictions on your product or service, you are ready to develop your strategy to export your product. The effectiveness of the export plan you develop will hold the key to whether the international marketplace becomes a significant revenue stream for your business. While there are different opinions on the nature of the export plan, the following eight areas capture those topics that…
Mother Nature's drenchings damage crops
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mother Nature has not been kind to Missouri agriculture in 2021, says University of Missouri Extension soybean specialist Bill Wiebold.Spring rains delayed corn and soybean planting well beyond the best date for yield, says Wiebold. Then the rain stopped and hot, dry weather slowed growth. Frequent heavy rains added to the misery in Missouri fields.
Q&A with agronomy specialist Pat Miller
What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I work with ag crop and forage producers, home gardeners and commercial produce growers to reach our #2xAg2030 goals. How long have you worked in this position? Thirty-two years. What is your favorite part about the work you do?
Check ash trees for emerald ash borer
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The invasive emerald ash borer may eliminate the ash tree from North America. In Missouri, EAB is present in 89 counties and the city of St. Louis.“Just like the Dutch elm disease that killed our native American elm trees, EAB is capable of eliminating all ash trees from our forests and cities,” says University of Missouri Extension entomologist Kevin Rice. “This makes it one of the most serious threats now facing North…
Warriors on the business automation front, Mora Technologies - Warrensburg, MO
In ancient Sparta, a mora was a unit of about 600 well-trained soldiers that moved as one. In modern Warrensburg, Missouri, Mora Technologies is a business automation startup with an ethos that echoes that of the Spartan warriors: professionalism and excellence.
$2,000 in scholarships awarded at MU Animal Sciences Leadership Academy
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Four participants in the University of Missouri Division of Animal Sciences 2021 Leadership Academy took home $500 scholarships to MU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.MU Extension swine nutritionist Marcia Shannon said winners were selected by their peers based on group presentations on current topics.
Spring rains bring root rots to Missouri field crops
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Frequent spring rains in Missouri set the stage for seedling and root rotting diseases that can lower yields.Pythium species usually infect the roots of corn, soybean and wheat, especially in the northern half of the state, says University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist Kaitlyn Bissonnette.
Master Naturalist grants help Forsyth and Willard 5th graders learn outdoors
Springfield Plateau Chapter Missouri Master Naturalist News Release Contact: Jennifer Ailor, 417-581-4018 Master Naturalist grants get students outside to learn
400-plus accept the challenge: 100 Miles in 100 Days
MOBERLY, Mo. – When Candace Rodman pitched the 100 Miles in 100 Days challenge, she thought she’d be lucky if even 100 Randolph County residents signed up.Rodman, a University of Missouri Extension county engagement specialist in nutrition and health education, wanted to offer a free, fun incentive to get more people moving this summer and spend time outside.
June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
From Dwayne T. James, EDIC chair and county engagement specialist in community economic development, St. Louis County
Basic Event Planning Steps for the Neighborhood
So you volunteered to plan the neighborhood July 4th parade, but you have no idea how to start? Do not panic. Here are some basic steps on how to plan an event. Follow these steps – and apply some elbow grease and time -- and you should have an event that leaves your attendees ready for your next one. 1. Come up with an idea or theme for an event
June Dairy Month proclamation
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – Surrounded by dairy farmers and industry leaders, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on June 8 proclaimed June as Dairy Month.The proclamation recognizes the hard work and contributions of our dairy farmers statewide, said Reagan Bluel, University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist and educational director for Missouri Dairy.
Pledging head, heart, hands and health, Missouri 4-H'ers flock to new ASL project
KAHOKA, Mo. – Aynsley Harmon, a 12-year-old from Kahoka, Missouri, wanted to be able to talk with a deaf relative she sees at family reunions. So she did what any resourceful 4-H’er does: She looked for a project to help her accomplish her goal.
From national security to food security
WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Santiago and Julie Valdez say the Heroes to Hives program offered by University of Missouri Extension offers a sweet opportunity to expand their business and connect with other beekeepers who are veterans. MU’s Heroes to Hives program is the first state chapter modeled after a program offered through Michigan State University and its partners.
Building a network to support next-generation manufacturing in Missouri
Missouri manufacturers, chambers of commerce and business and economic development organizations will team up with University of Missouri System researchers over the next 18 months in a series of roundtable events across the state aimed at strengthening Missouri’s manufacturing sector. The first roundtable was held on May 25 with several manufacturers from northeastern Missouri.
Missouri 4-H'ers can reduce food insecurity across the state
COLUMBIA, Mo. – More than 1.1 million Missourians are food insecure. Missouri Farmers Care and Missouri 4-H are working with pork producers, meat processors and now FFA and 4-H youths to help curb food insecurity in the state.