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Without forage test, hay by any other name is just hay
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mature hay is hay. It may be brome hay, prairie hay or any other type of hay. But in the end, it’s just hay until it’s been tested.Forage tests tell the tale of whether hay is of good quality and nutrient-rich, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Gene Schmitz.
Initiative connects rural working families with valuable tax credit info
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Starting in the 2020 tax season, more rural Missourians in need will be able to learn about their eligibility for the federal earned income tax credit (EITC), one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty tools targeting low- and moderate-income working families.
MU Extension, Platte County 4-H Pivots to Meet the Needs of Today’s Youth
Kansas City, MO., October 19, 2020. Meet Emma M., a 3rd year member of Hoover Heroes 4-H Club. She is passionate about increasing her life skills through her interests in entomology (study of bugs). Emma noted that "we need to remember how challenging 2020 was with COVID and what it was like to having to do things online, when we couldn't meet in person. I try to work hard for my club.
Keeping the doors open and people employed, Prock Operations - St. James, MO
"It absolutely has helped keep us going as a business." That's what Carla Lee, Prock Operations corporate counsel, said about the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) support and the coronavirus relief the company received through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) earlier this year.
MU Strip Trial Program seeks participants for fertilizer trials
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is looking for farmers to participate in fertilizer trials as part of the “MU Certified” Strip Trial Program.MU Extension nutrient management specialist John Lory, who leads the program, said this year’s farmer panel approved trials focused on improving management of fertilizer in corn and soybean rotations, wheat and forages.
Connecting to Careers
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Scott Hoad was at a low point this spring, trying to piece together a decent living after being laid off from a job painting commercial aircraft. Then Hoad crossed paths with Amy Patillo, a University of Missouri Extension labor and workforce development specialist based in Springfield.
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Missouri 4-H: Preparing for the future
How can private and public partners across Missouri strengthen and enhance the state’s workforce? This is the focus of University of Missouri System Engagement Week, Oct. 26-30, in partnership with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The public is invited to register for the session on Thursday, Oct.
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Tropical plants can overwinter indoors
COLUMBIA, Mo. – You may not get to take a tropical vacation this year, but you can bring the tropics inside your home.With the right light and temperature, it is possible to keep tropical patio plants indoors for another summer of enjoyment.“The colorful flowers, ability to tolerate hot temperatures and carefree nature of tropical plants make them a welcome addition to the home landscape,” said University of Missouri Extension…
Assessing the pandemic risks, Core Financial Services, Inc. - Kansas City, MO
When unavoidable disaster strikes, small business owners often find themselves lost and alone. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Lisa Sicola knew she had someone in her corner that she could rely on.
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Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame inducts new members for 2020
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Making the best better” for generations of Missouri 4-H club members, 44 volunteers joined the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame. The 2020 inductees, from 36 counties, have established a legacy totaling 1,008 years of service to 4-H.
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4-H Goes Online now live through MU Extension 4-H
COLUMBIA, Mo. – This fall, Missouri youths ages 5-18 and the volunteers and faculty who serve them will have access to projects in 4-H Goes Online through Canvas, an easy-to-use online learning platform. Projects will be available in these areas: Clover Kids, Shooting Sports, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Science and Natural Resources, Plant and Animal Science, Healthy Living, Leadership and Personal Development, and…
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Missouri 4-H is ready!
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It is a busy time of year in Missouri 4-H. Oct. 1 marked the beginning of the new 4-H year, and faculty, staff and volunteers are busy making sure everyone has what they need to start off right.
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Cultivando la Inclusividad
En base a la población, Estados Unidos es el segundo país de mayor población hispana del mundo, según el U.S. Census Bureau (censo americano). Si contamos todas las personas bilingües y aquellos que su lengua nativa es el español, Estados Unidos tiene mas gente de habla hispana que España. ¿Cómo pueden los especialistas de MU Extensión asegurarse de poder servir a la población hispana en Missouri?
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Missouri’s fall foliage color show begins soon
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Fall color is kind of like Christmas morning, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. “You don’t know if you are going to get an orange or a lump of coal in your stocking.” Some years are better than others, he says, and about once a decade, colors really pop. “Unfortunately, because of the recent warm weather that followed a rather dry late summer, it does not appear as if 2021 will…
Want a healthy independent lifestyle? There’s a class for that
Editor's note: This article was originally published on Show Me Mizzou and is used with permission.Contact: Pat
Value of farm business plan shows when death or illness strikes
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The value of a farm business plan becomes clear when family members need to get on the same page or when sudden illness strikes, says Joe Horner, University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist.A farm’s business plan formalizes what is in owners’ heads, Horner says. Writing a farm business plan forces family owners to think things through and agree on goals.
Five steps to pass the farm to the next generation
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farm succession planning should not begin when the head of the family dies, says Wesley Tucker, University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist and succession planning coordinator. Too often, planning starts the day after the funeral, Tucker says. In addition to straining family relationships, this also increases the likelihood that the next generation will fail.
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Flower math: Divide and multiply
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Fall is the perfect time to share the love of flower power with neighbors, friends and family, says David Trinklein, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. As spring-flowering bulbs such as tulip and narcissus grow, they produce offshoots adjacent to the original bulb. When these bulb clusters become overgrown, flower numbers usually decline. This is a good indication it is time to rejuvenate the bulb cluster…
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Cultivating Inclusivity
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. – By population, the United States is the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Counting both bilingual and native speakers of Spanish, the U.S. has more people who can speak Spanish than Spain itself. How do MU Extension specialists make sure they serve Missourians who speak Spanish?
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Missouri 4-H holds virtual livestock judging contest
COLUMBIA, Mo – The 2020 University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest took place virtually Sept. 12-13. More than 100 youths from across the state applied their evaluation and communication skills in this contest.Youths involved with the livestock judging program develop key life skills to aid in their future career success, says Maria Calvert, state 4-H agriculture and natural resources educator.
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Warren County student awarded dairy scholarship
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors Foundation recently awarded Caleb Ruether a $2,000 scholarship.Ruether, a senior at Truman State University, studies agronomy and bovine nutrition, reproduction and management. He hopes to be a large-animal veterinarian. He is the son of Michelle and Gary Ruether of Marthasville.Foundation trustee Dave Cochard said Ruether had an excellent application and strong letters of support.
2020: The year of the cull cow
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Now is a good time for beef producers to take advantage of stronger than normal prices for culled cattle, says University of Missouri Extension agricultural business specialist Wesley Tucker. Fat trimmings become a value-added product for hamburger. Demand for hamburger increased during COVID-19 as more people ate at home instead of restaurants or schools.
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Missouri 4-H'er selected as runner-up for national award
COLUMBIA, Mo. – National 4-H Council announced that Drachen Koester, of St. Louis, is a runner-up for the 2021 4-H Youth in Action Pillar Award for Agriculture. Koester is recognized nationally for his commitment to educating youths about the importance of native bees.
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Hannibal residents recognized as Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Forest and Woodland Association of Missouri (FWAM) and the Missouri Tree Farm System will honor Art and Jana Suchland, of Hannibal, at the virtual Annual Tree Farm Conference on Oct. 20.
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MU Extension develops COVID dashboard for Andrew County
SAVANNAH, Mo. – Like health departments across Missouri, the Andrew County Health Department has its hands full with efforts to track and contain the spread of COVID-19. The staff, who often work well into the evening, needed a better way to share critical information with the public.