
'Bee' mindful of pollinators when spraying fruit crops
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Bees are a fruit tree owner’s friend and need special protection from pesticides, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund. Bees are essential to pollinate many fruit crops, including apple, pear, Japanese plums, sweet cherries, blueberry and elderberry, says Warmund.
Consider feeding pigs to higher weights when feed costs and hog prices go up
COLUMBIA, Mo. – When feed prices go up, swine producers usually see profits go down. That’s not the case in 2021.This gives producers an opportunity to look at feeding to heavier weights despite higher feed costs, says University of Missouri Extension swine nutritionist Marcia Shannon.Higher market weights result in dramatic net gains per pig under current grain and market conditions, she says. This comes despite higher feed…
Use gallons per mile to measure fuel efficiency
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you’re in the market for a car that will save you money at the pump, looking at miles per gallon may not be the best way to compare fuel efficiency, says a University of Missouri Extension financial planning specialist.
Missouri 4-H Foundation awards 68 scholarships
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation is awarding 68 scholarships totaling $69,350 to Missouri 4-H youths to help further their educations.

Annual Land-Grant Society members make a lasting impact
Giving to the University of Missouri Extension can help transform communities. Warren and Betty Sapp and Andrew Zumwalt experienced this firsthand through generous gifts that qualify them for annual membership in the newly established MU Land-Grant Society, a donator recognition society to support extension and engagement work and impacts across Missouri.
Placemaking and Jobs
Placemaking strategies help create vibrant communities that attract skilled workers, boost economic growth, and enhance quality of life. Learn more about its impact.

Know youth labor laws before hiring your summer staff
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As the school year ends, you can expect young people to start applying for summer jobs. For agricultural employers, these young workers can provide extra capacity at a time when farms and agribusinesses often have more work than they have employees to get that work done.

New podcast focuses on reigniting workplaces across the globe
A new podcast shares strategies to revitalize workplaces globally, offering insights on leadership, collaboration, and employee engagement.
Some Basics of Exporting
In the first article, we shared some basic information on some of the “whys” of exporting, including the expected growth in the international market for US businesses and available resources in this area for the small business owner to succeed. In this article, we will start to explore some of the factors to take into account as you reach a decision regarding if exporting is the right next step for your business.
Mizzou Collegiate 4-H restructuring to engage all Missouri postsecondary institutions
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Members of the Mizzou Collegiate 4-H club have voted to create a statewide Missouri Collegiate 4-H Council. The existing Mizzou Collegiate 4-H organization will be a chapter under the new council.
MU Extension to help connect KC-area seniors with farmers market fare
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is partnering with the Missouri Department of Agriculture to help older adults access fresh, local foods this summer.
Fight fatigue, stress on the farm with sleep for better bottom line
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Long hours during calving and planting seasons can cause fatigue and stress, leading to accidents and costly mistakes, says Mary Engram, University of Missouri Extension human development specialist.“Lack of sleep affects us physically and mentally,” says Engram.
Food safety after flooding
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Floods can devastate property and have lasting effects on a community. In the aftermath, people might not think about the consequences flooding can have on food. Floodwater often contains sewage or animal waste that could contaminate foods with harmful organisms, said Londa Nwadike, food safety specialist for University of Missouri Extension and Kansas State Research and Extension.
Acts of Neighboring Are Easier Than Many People Imagine
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Performing an act of neighboring is easier than many people imagine according to David Burton, county engagement specialist with University of Missouri Extension. “Acts of neighboring are often simple gestures that you help you be a good neighbor, lift up others and make your neighborhood or community a better place to live,” said Burton.

Free SCN tests available to farmers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri farmers can submit two free tests to beat the soybean cyst nematode (SCN) by contacting their county University of Missouri Extension center or the SCN Diagnostics laboratory.

MU, NCMC launch new weather station
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A collaboration between the University of Missouri and North Central Missouri College has resulted in a new weather station at NCMC’s Elizabeth and Arthur Barton Farm at Trenton.Phil and Chris Hoffman, retired owners of the Hoffman & Reed grain elevator in Trenton, began the movement for the weather station after attending the annual Crop Management Conference, where MU Extension state climatologist Pat Guinan spoke.
Procurement Conference 2021
Do you do business with the local, state, or federal government? Or would you like to add the government as a customer? Join us for a one-day conference to network with government agencies and small business support programs to reach your business goals.
Low temperatures leave plants in the cold
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Winter-hardy perennial flowers likely will survive April’s historic low temperatures across Missouri, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Their tender annual counterparts, however, may not be so lucky. MU Extension horticulturists across the state answered numerous calls from concerned gardeners about freeze damage to their flowers and flowering shrubs as temperatures dropped into the…
Pike County woman honored with 4-H volunteer leadership award
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to recognize Missouri 4-H volunteer Deedee Martin with the 2021 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. Martin, who lives in Pike County, is being recognized for more than 30 of service and support to Missouri 4-H. “We are honored to recognize Deedee Martin for her outstanding efforts on behalf of Pike County 4-H,” said Kyle Kerns, chair of…

Opening doors
Discover how Sebrina Barrett's 4-H experiences shaped her leadership and advocacy skills, opening doors for her career in community service and public speaking.
Missouri 4-H youths test knowledge at State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The 2021 University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest gathered 19 youths and their coaches in late March and early April.The contest consisted of an online qualifying exam in March; the top four teams in each age division advanced to the in-person portion in April.Top junior competitors (ages 8-13):First: Bailey Spalding, Jackson County.Second: Elizabeth Pruett, Jackson County.Third: Kelsa Kirk, Jackson…

Mary Beth Mitchell honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to present Missouri 4-H volunteer Mary Beth Mitchell with the 2021 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. Mitchell, of Monroe County, is being recognized for more than 30 years of service and support to Missouri 4-H.

It all started at the show ring
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Jenna Hasekamp, a member of the Audrain County F&L Hustlers 4-H Club, is helping to pioneer the participation of Missouri community college teams at livestock judging contests. This fall, Hasekamp will join North Central Missouri College’s livestock judging team, which started last fall and is currently the only Missouri community college team competing in livestock judging.
Should I Export My Business’s Goods and Services?
Are you a small business owner that is not currently exporting your goods and services, but is considering it? Are you concerned about how to make the right decision on this important question for your company and how to prepare your business for success in this area? If so, this column is for intended for you. It is my goal to share information to help position you and your business for a decision on exporting.