![A topic in farm policy circles is whether conservation practices can reduce PPL risk in extreme weather such as floods. Crop insurance is one of the farm bill’s largest expenditures. 2019 file photo of Holt County, Missouri, by Linda Geist.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20230420-cc-1.jpg?itok=2JeesNLV)
The cost of loving your garden too much
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Sometimes, gardeners take the “if some is good, more must be better” approach, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Justin Keay.But it’s possible to shower your garden with too much love in the form of fertilizer, manure and compost. More fertilizer and organic matter won’t necessarily produce more flowers or produce, Keay says. In fact, unnecessary fertilizers and amendments can be bad for the wallet,…
![A topic in farm policy circles is whether conservation practices can reduce PPL risk in extreme weather such as floods. Crop insurance is one of the farm bill’s largest expenditures. 2019 file photo of Holt County, Missouri, by Linda Geist.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20230420-cc-1.jpg?itok=2JeesNLV)
Cover crops could reduce PPL acres in wet springs
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A newly released study shows that planting cover crops and reduced tillage could substantially lower the number of prevent plant (PPL) acres and subsequent federal crop insurance payments.
Seed summer annuals now for proper grazing during summer
STOCKTON, Mo. – Drought and overgrazing have left cattle pasture stands thin and possibly in need of renovation, said University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Patrick Davis. He urges cattle producers to use summer annuals as a tool to thicken stands or begin the renovation of cool-season perennial pastures.
Look at fescue seed labels for best results
COLUMBIA, Mo. – George Washington knew the value of a good seed: “Bad seed is a robbery of the worst kind,” the founding father wrote, “for your pocket-book not only suffers by it, but your preparations are lost and a season passes away unimproved.”University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Gene Schmitz agrees, especially when it comes to novel-endophyte fescue seed.
MBA continues her education with Missouri SBDC, Webb City Florist - Webb City, MO
Courtney Smith has a Master of Business Administration, but when she decided to buy Webb City Florist, she realized she didn’t know where to start, so she continued her education with the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
Laclede County Commission, MU Extension announce county ag tour
LEBANON, Mo. – The Laclede County Commission is pleased to announce the inaugural Laclede County Commission Agriculture Tour. The tour, a one-day event organized by University of Missouri Extension in Laclede County, will feature farms and similar locations to highlight the importance of agricultural production in Laclede County.
Volunteers are the heart of Missouri 4-H
COLUMBIA, Mo. – During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 16-22, 2023, Missouri 4-H wants to thank the heart of the organization, the volunteers! Each year, thousands of people choose to spend their time volunteering for Missouri 4-H, and because of their efforts 4-H can provide a wide variety of opportunities for Missouri’s youth.
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Missouri Digital Ambassadors will help communities connect
Research shows that broadband access can boost a community’s economy and quality of life, but only if people take advantage of that access. A volunteer cadre of Missouri Digital Ambassadors will work with people in their communities to help them realize the benefits of broadband.
Missouri 4-H youths join teens from across U.S. at Ignite by 4-H
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Fourteen young innovators of tomorrow from Missouri – Luke Baugh, Brooke Cureton, Darrel Douglas, Sa’Maya Griffin, Ashlynn Hampton, Aaliyah Higgs, Keelan Jackson, Amara Johnson, Miles Neely, Harlan Pedigo, Hope Pedigo, Lily Rucker, Dallas Tumbas and Mekhi Willis Howard – recently honed their agri-science, health and STEM skills at Ignite by 4-H in Washington, D.C.
![Last month's MU for You conference included a tour of the MU Shelden Clinical Simulation Center's Mobile Sim unit, which brings advanced training on the road to rural medical professionals.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/Sim-Training-Bus-alt.jpg?itok=xuhYn5kq)
MU for You conference
More than 200 MU Extension faculty, staff and council members from across the state attended the MU for You conference March 30-31 in Columbia. The annual event for MU Extension county council members and support staff provides networking and educational opportunities — key to effective programming that empowers communities to address the grand challenges in agriculture, the economy, education and health.
Introducing MU Extension Health and Human Sciences
Health and Human Sciences is the new name for the unit that oversees MU Extension programs in
Ask the Worker
Are you having trouble hiring employees? It is hard to find an employer who is not having trouble hiring enough staff. The worker shortage is real, and there are a lot of contributing factors. Is how you talk about your lack of workers contributing to the problem?
![Youths inspect soybean plants during the 2022 Missouri 4-H Crop Scouting Day. File photo.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20230413-4hcs-1.jpg?itok=hIbHR5Sd)
Missouri 4-H, MU Extension to host crop event for 4-H, FFA members
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension and Missouri 4-H will host a crop scouting event for 4-H and FFA members and volunteers July 18 at MU Bradford Research Farm near Columbia.
![Emily Bergsieker.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/Bergsieker_Emily.jpg?itok=nroVkJw8)
Lafayette County woman honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, April 16-22, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to present Emily Bergsieker with the 2023 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. Bergsieker is recognized for more than 13 years of service and support to 4-H in Lafayette County.“We are honored to recognize Emily Bergsieker for her outstanding efforts on behalf of Lafayette County 4-H,” said Rachel Augustine, director of the…
![Vernon County 4-H Alumni Association members.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/VernonCo4HAlumAssoc.jpg?itok=3PSXflDm)
Vernon County 4-H Alumni Association honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, April 16-22, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to present the Vernon County 4-H Alumni Association with the 2023 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. The association is recognized for more than 11 years of service and support to 4-H.
![Brian McKimmey.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/Bill-McKimmey.jpg?itok=l5x1JAzw)
Laclede County man honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, April 16-22, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to present Brian McKimmey with the 2023 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. McKimmey is recognized for more than 16 years of service and support to 4-H in Polk and Laclede counties.“We are honored to recognize Brian McKimmey for his outstanding efforts on behalf of Polk County 4-H,” said Rachel Augustine, director of the…
Choose the right bedding plants to start garden off right
JACKSON, Mo. – Beautiful flower gardens begin with the right bedding plants, says Donna Aufdenberg, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.Before heading to the garden center, research what plants do well in your area, Aufdenberg says. Also consider whether your gardening space is sunny or shady.Aufdenberg has more tips:• Choose stocky, short, bushy plants with green foliage. Avoid tall, spindly plants or those with insect…
![Dahlia ‘Karma Corona.’ Photo by Loïc Evanno via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dahlia_karma_Corona.JPG). Shared under a Creative Commons license (CC-BY-SA 2.5).](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/Dahlia_karma_corona.jpg?itok=WMl0b7nd)
Mexico's national flower brightens Missouri gardens
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Dahlias, the national flower of Mexico, burst with fiestas of colors in late summer and early autumn when other flowers begin to fade.These easy-to-grow annuals are popular choices for cut gardens or the backdrop of borders, says Kelly McGowan, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.
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Show-Me MO Success podcast: Broadband access for Missouri communities
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Communities that struggle with broadband connectivity are at a disadvantage. The University of Missouri System has resources such as the Digitally Connected Communities Guide to help areas in Missouri gain better broadband service.
![Halter class at the 2023 Missouri 4-H horse judging contest in Fulton.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20230407-hj-1.jpg?itok=6P5vHvSD)
Missouri youths test skills at State 4-H Horse Judging Contest
FULTON, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Judging Contest, held March 18, drew 105 competitors, said Maria Calvert, Missouri 4-H state agriculture educator. This year’s event was hosted at William Woods University in Fulton. After the contest, youths and coaches toured the facilities and learned more about the equine program from faculty and students.
![Narcissus (daffodil). Photo by Kham Tran. Shared under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-SA 3.0).](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/Yellow-Daffodil.jpg?itok=YdOJu7UR)
Spring into April with season-inspired plants
COLUMBIA, Mo. – April is the season of new beginnings, especially for plant lovers. Outdoors, spring-flowering bulbs, shrubs and trees dot the landscape. Indoors, seasonal plants enliven and brighten dreary rooms, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund.
![Broadband survey flyer.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20230228-MOinternetSurvey-2.png?itok=5NPRxd3j)
Survey will help guide state broadband efforts
COLUMBIA, Mo. – You can help guide broadband development efforts in your community by completing a short, anonymous online survey for the Missouri Office of Broadband Development. The survey, conducted by University of Missouri Extension, is at http://muext.us/MissouriInternetSurvey.
3 keys to emergency preparedness
COLUMBIA, Mo.– While security experts and law enforcement personnel are determined to make sure events like the Boston Marathon bombing never happen again, emergency preparedness and personal safety begin with the individual, says a University of Missouri Extension emergency management specialist. Whether it’s an explosion, flooding or a tornado, Eric Evans says there are three basic things people need to be prepared for any emergency…
Be prepared for spring floods
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.–With the large snowfalls of the past winter, flooding is a potential threat in many parts of Missouri. And even if your house is not in a flood plain, you may drive through one on your way home, warns a University of Missouri Extension community development specialist.
May tomato school offers tours, updates
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s annual Missouri Tomato School returns May 16-18 to give growers tried and true methods to improve their crops.“Tomatoes are Missouri’s biggest-selling specialty crop, but they can be challenging to grow successfully,” says MU Extension horticulturist Justin Keay. “We want to help Missouri growers take their tomato crop to the next level.”