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10 tips to keep the romance in relationships
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you had to name the most important thing in your life, what would it be? Chances are it would be a relationship: with your significant other, children, parents, some other family member or good friends. Relationships are not just important in the “feel good” sense. They also have a strong impact on our mental and physical health, says Kale Monk, a University of Missouri associate professor and state extension youth…
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Colorful flowers, sweet treats and relationship tips for Valentine’s Day
There’s more to Valentine’s Day than roses and chocolate. Bouquets and floral arrangements are often used to say simply “I love you” or “thank you,” but, as University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein explains, people have used floriography, the language of flowers, to express a variety of sentiments and messages.
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The language of flowers blossoms on Valentine's Day
COLUMBIA, Mo. – More than a century ago, the floral delivery service FTD adopted the slogan “Say it with flowers.” It turns out you can say quite a bit with flowers, notes University of Missouri Extension state horticulturist David Trinklein. Floriography, the language of flowers, refers to communicating cryptically through the meaning or symbolism of certain flowers and flower colors.
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Fall for strawberries, the fruit of love
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Strawberries are a delectable treat any time of year, but in February they are known as the fruit of love, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund. Long before the celebration of Valentine’s Day, the strawberry symbolized love and fertility due to its shape, color and wealth of seeds on the fruit surface.
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Heart-shaped leaves can add to a Valentine’s Day gift
COLUMBIA, Mo. –While roses steal the show on Valentine’s Day, many plants produce heart-shaped leaves that can be a part of a bouquet or gift. One of the best known and easiest to grow or buy is the heartleaf philodendron, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. “This vining plant produces shiny green leaves with perfect heart shapes,” he said.
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Applications open for Missouri Century Farms
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If your farm has been in your family since Dec. 31, 1925, you can apply to have it recognized as a Missouri Century Farm. University of Missouri Extension, the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, and Missouri Farm Bureau sponsor the program. The application deadline to be recognized as a 2025 Missouri Century Farm is May 1.
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Food safety tips for Super Bowl parties
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest food consumption day in the U.S. after Thanksgiving, and game day comes with supersized food safety risks. “Food safety risks are high because perishable food often sits out for hours during Super Bowl parties,” said Lakshmikantha “Kantha” Channaiah, University of Missouri Extension food safety specialist. “And that can lead to foodborne illnesses.”
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Farm succession workshop set for Feb. 27 in Macon
MACON, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will offer a farm succession work to help farm families start the process of moving the farm business from one generation to the next. The workshop will be 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at FCS Financial in Macon. During the workshop, MU Extension specialists will cover family roles, communication and transition planning. Participants will have the opportunity for discussion…
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MU Extension in Howell County to host intensive Hay School on Feb. 21
WEST PLAINS, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is offering a day of learning in Howell County for farmers who grow hay and livestock producers who buy hay.
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Frost-seeding legumes pays big dividends
HERMITAGE, Mo. – Frost-seeding legumes now can pay big dividends later, says University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy Terry Halleran. Frost-seeding is a low-cost method of broadcasting legumes over frozen ground into an existing pasture. Legumes offer many benefits but require proper management, says Halleran.
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Forage workshop set for March 20 in SW Missouri
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – Beef producers can learn fall and winter grazing options after a lack of fall moisture and how to improve meat quality during a free workshop March 20 at the University of Missouri Southwest Research, Extension and Education Center near Mount Vernon. The workshop covers other timely grazing topics such as warm season forage options for growing and finishing beef during summer heat, says MU Extension state forage…
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Prune fruit trees in midwinter
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The best time to prune fruit trees in Missouri is midwinter, according to University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Debi Kelly. “There are many reasons to prune fruit trees, and you want to do it before bud break in the spring,” said Kelly, who held a workshop on pruning Jan. 25 at MU Jefferson Farm and Garden in Columbia.
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Learn how to bulletproof your beef operation at Feb. 20 event in Clever
GALENA, Mo. – The Christian County Livestock & Forage Conference is 6-8:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, at the First Baptist Church, 105 Kennedy Ave., Clever, Mo. A free barbecue dinner will be provided compliments of program sponsors, including Bank of Billings, Christian County Farm Bureau, Christian County Soil & Water Conservation District, Earlybird Feed & Fertilizer, Nixa Hardware and Seed Co., Phillips Veterinary Services…
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Cyclamen: the houseplant with an amorous history
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The cyclamen is Cupid’s flowering love child. For centuries, people have associated cyclamens with matters of the heart, making it a perfect Valentine’s Day choice, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Flowering bulbs brighten spring gardens
STE. GENEVIEVE, Mo. – Few things thaw feelings of winter’s cold more than spring flowering bulbs, says University of Missouri Extension field horticulturist Katie Kammler. Spring bulbs are Nature’s way of rewarding gardeners for their work in fall, providing early color and blooms before most annuals and perennials. While spring is their time to shine, bulbs need cool weather to flower. They require a chilling period after being…
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Missouri 4-H'ers compete in public speaking at Western National Roundup
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Two Missouri 4-H members competed in January at the 2025 Western National Roundup Public Speaking Contest, an annual event held in tandem with the Western National Stock Show in Denver. This year, Marah Greiman of Marion County and Alyssa Thornhill of Adair County competed in prepared and impromptu speaking. Thornhill placed fifth overall in impromptu speaking at the contest, said Megan Kershner, state 4-H leadership…
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Four-state beef conference planned in Kansas, Arkansas
PARSONS, Kan. – Extension staff from four Midwestern universities will present information on beef cattle production, marketing, economics, nutrition and forage utilization at a conference held at two locations in February.
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Time to rethink deworming the beef herd
SALEM, Mo. – The use of commercial livestock dewormers has paid off in terms of animal health and productivity, but it has also resulted in resistance among parasite populations. “As dewormers lose effectiveness, producers need to develop a broader strategy for managing internal parasites in their livestock,” said Eric Meusch, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist. Resistance to deworming products
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Benefits of beef cow leasing
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Leasing instead of purchasing cows can be an effective financial strategy for cow-calf producers. A new publication by University of Missouri Extension specialists, “Introduction to Beef Cow Leases,” details how beef cow leases work. It is available for free download at https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g434.
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Cedar County Livestock and Forage Conference is Feb. 27
STOCKTON, Mo. – Pastures and cattle management are very important to the profitability and sustainability of cattle operations in Cedar County and the surrounding areas,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Education to manage these aspects of your cattle operation properly could enhance its profitability.
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Spring Garden Seminar is March 1 at Missouri River Regional Library, Jefferson City
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension in Cole County and Central Missouri Master Gardeners will host a free daylong spring gardening seminar March 1 at Missouri River Regional Library in Jefferson City.
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Give Valentine's Day flowers some TLC
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Valentine’s Day flowers, like love, can stand the test of time if given a little TLC. Call it flor-amore. Proper care and a homemade preservative provide an extended warranty of sorts to make certain flowers last up to twice as long, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
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Warm-season grass workshop is Feb. 11 in Mount Vernon
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – Forage growers can learn how to improve pastures with warm-season grasses at a free workshop Feb. 11 in Mount Vernon, Mo. University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Tim Schnakenberg said the workshop focuses on warm-season grass options suited to southwestern Missouri.
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Mo. Blueberry School is Feb. 21-22
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Registration is now open for the 2025 Missouri Blueberry School. The event, Feb. 21-22, offers updates on diseases, soil health, pruning and other issues related to commercial blueberry production. The Feb. 21 classroom session will be at the Darr Agricultural Center in Springfield. Speakers include horticulturists from University of Missouri Extension, University of Arkansas and Missouri State University. There also…
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American Lamb Consumer and Producer Workshop is Feb. 28 in St. Clair County
OSCEOLA, Mo. – February is Lamb Lovers Month, as designated by the American Lamb Board. In recognition of this, University of Missouri Extension in St. Clair County will host the American Lamb Consumer and Producer Workshop 5-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, in Osceola. The event aims to foster connections between producers and consumers, said David Brown, MU Extension sheep and goats specialist.