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Sign up for pest alerts
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Now is the time to sign up for the University of Missouri’s Pest Monitoring Network. The free, timely pest alerts can be an early-warning system for farmers, says MU Extension crops entomologist Ivair Valmorbida.
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MU Extension refocuses Family Nutrition Education Programs
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is repositioning its Family Nutrition Education Programs (FNEP) to strengthen nutrition education and family health resources for the most under-resourced communities across Missouri.
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Learn to rebuild, retain a better cow herd
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will hold an educational program on rebuilding and retaining the cow herd May 5-6 at the MU Beef Research and Teaching Farm in Columbia.
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Youths test knowledge at State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest drew 45 youths from across the state on March 1. Participants tested their knowledge in a quiz bowl setting on the University of Missouri campus. The event was hosted with the help of the Mizzou Equine Teaching Facility and held at the MU Animal Science Research Center.
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Free workshop on filling worker vacancies on the farm
LANCASTER, Mo. – There will be a free workshop on farm labor challenges 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at Happy Hollow Farm in Jamestown. The workshop is hosted by Missouri Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, Lincoln University and University of Missouri Extension.
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4-H State Horse Judging Contest
The Missouri 4-H State Horse Judging Contest, Feb. 28, drew 70 youths from across the state to William Woods University in Fulton. Throughout the day, youths put their equine expertise to the test by evaluating eight classes – four halter and four performance – and delivering one or two sets of oral reasons to justify their decisions.
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4-H State Meats Judging Contest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H State Meats Judging Contest on Saturday, Feb. 21, drew youths from 10 counties across the state. Participants demonstrated their knowledge of the meat industry by evaluating six retail or carcass classes representing beef, pork or lamb, identifying 30 retail cuts and presenting one or two sets of oral reasons to justify their placings.
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Women Owning Woodlands offers chainsaw safety workshop
Women Owning Woodlands will offer a beginner chainsaw safety workshop. The workshop includes three virtual sessions leading up to an in-person field session at MU Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia.
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Making sense of smart agriculture: Why trusted guidance matters
For Missouri farmers navigating the challenges and opportunities of rapid technological change, MU Extension offers unbiased, research-based guidance to help producers cut through the noise and make smart, practical decisions.
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Seed selection is important spring decision
With gardening time right around the corner, gardeners have many seed sources to choose from. Picking the right seeds can make a big difference in the success of your garden.
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Resources for Severe Weather Preparedness Week
Access resources and tips to prepare for severe weather, including tornadoes, floods, and emergency planning.
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Ring in St. Patrick’s Day with Bells of Ireland
COLUMBIA, Mo. – St. Patrick’s Day is a time to celebrate Irish culture and all things green, including leprechauns and shamrocks. While shamrock is a well-known symbol of good luck, Bells of Ireland (Moluccella laevis) is another interesting plant associated with good fortune, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Pollinators: Patience pays off
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Don’t get too anxious about cleaning your yard for spring, says Gwen Funk, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in horticulture. “Warmer temperatures may entice you to rake leaves, trim back flower stems or remove mulch, but both plants and insects are still sleeping and are not fooled by mother nature’s teasing temperatures,” she says.
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Carey Portell’s next chapter
ST. JAMES, Mo. – A devastating 2010 car crash and a series of reconstructive surgeries spanning years reshaped cattle producer Carey Portell’s body and her future. Through the Missouri AgrAbility Project, Portell learned how to keep farming safely. And not only has she continued to farm, she has become an author, speaker and advocate.
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Celebrating Missouri 4-H Century Families
The Missouri 4-H Foundation recently recognized three families with the Missouri 4-H Century Family Award, which celebrates families whose combined years of 4-H membership and volunteer service total 100 years or more, demonstrating a multigenerational commitment to youth leadership, learning and community impact.
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Shamrock plants: Rockin’ by day, dozin’ at night
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Few houseplants are as charming and whimsical as the shamrock plant, says University of Missouri Extension field horticulturist Gwen Funk. These intriguing houseplants capture attention year-round, not just on St. Patrick’s Day.
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Stocker Cattle Risk Management Workshop set for April 2 in Hermitage
MU Extension is partnering with Hometown Crop Solutions to provide a free Stocker Cattle Risk Management Workshop 6 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at the MU Extension Center in Hickory County, 22126 U.S. Highway 54, Hermitage.
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As state’s bear population grows, MU Extension offers guidance
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new publication from University of Missouri Extension looks at black bears, their ecology and how research by the Missouri Department of Conservation helps us better understand their behavior and growing numbers. Ecology and Management of Black Bears in Missouri is available for free download.
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New accounts aim to jump-start retirement savings for children
A new type of tax-advantaged account created under recent federal tax law changes could give some children a significant head start on long-term investing, but families should understand both the opportunities and the limits before jumping in.
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Alpha-gal syndrome changes how we socialize
The rising number of Missourians diagnosed with alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is changing how individuals and families eat and socialize. Alpha-gal syndrome causes allergic reactions to red meat and other mammal-derived products.
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Meeting to address stocker cattle management, risk protection
MU Extension, in collaboration with the Vernon County Cattlemen’s Association and FCS Financial, will host a Stocker Cattle Risk Management Workshop 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at Vernon County Fairgrounds’ Centennial Hall, 1641 E. Ashland St., Nevada.
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MU Plant Diagnostic Clinic earns national accreditation
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Plant Diagnostic Clinic has earned national accreditation from the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN). The four-year accreditation, which began March 1, 2026, recognizes the clinic’s continued commitment to high-quality diagnostic services, said Peng Tian, lab director and an MU assistant extension professor.
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MU Extension offers produce safety training in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will offer an in-person Produce Safety Alliance Grower training on April 1 at the St. Louis Metro MU Extension center.
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Preparing Missouri’s workforce for a changing economy
From AI anxiety to new opportunities, Missouri’s workforce is in transition. Discover how MU Extension helps workers and employers build the skills to thrive in a fast‑moving economy.
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Specialty crop producers should consider risk management options
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As specialty crop producers plan for the 2026 growing season, University of Missouri Extension reminds growers that federal crop insurance application deadlines for the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and Micro Farm programs are approaching, and planning now can be critical to managing risk throughout the year.