Image
10 tips to bulletproof your beef operation
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Beef producers can use a window of profitability to make their farm business more bulletproof. University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist Joe Horner says successful beef producers can make small changes in three areas to make their farm less vulnerable to risks: plants, animals and business. Being good in just one of those three areas is not enough.
Harm reduction advice for safer holidays
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Use of legal and illegal substances sometimes increases during the holidays. It might be extra celebratory cocktails with friends or self-medication to deal with depression or stress. While there is no safe way to use any substance, health experts have developed an approach to help people engage with substances in safer ways, said Michelle McDowell, senior coordinator for University of Missouri Extension Community…
Beating the winter blahs at work
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Winter days are shorter, darker and colder. Holidays and their aftermath can add stress. This seasonal shift can leave employees more apt to hibernate than focus on work. And that can affect a business’s productivity and bottom line. Bryana Larimer, business trainer for the Missouri Training Institute, part of University of Missouri Extension, has a handful of tips to help your team beat the winter blahs:
Banish the holiday blues
MOBERLY, Mo. – Holidays can be some of the happiest times of the year, but they can also pose special challenges. “Having to plan or host events can be hard,” says Candace Rodman, a nutrition and health specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Randolph County. “For some people who aren’t close to their family personally or geographically, or for those who are grieving the loss or absence of loved ones, this season can…
Image
Holiday food safety tips
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – If you’re hosting a holiday meal, make food safety a priority or you might end up with ungrateful guests. “Hosting a holiday meal often means having more people at the table, serving a wider variety of dishes and perhaps tackling some unfamiliar recipes. If you’re not careful, all those ingredients can add up to foodborne illness,” says Londa Nwadike, food safety specialist for University of Missouri Extension and…
Keep safety in mind when donating food
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Donating to food pantries, food banks and soup kitchens this time of year is a way to reduce food waste and aid families in need. But be mindful of what you donate and who will eventually receive the donated items.
Cook and freeze now to avoid holiday stress
BUTLER, Mo. – One way to reduce holiday stress is to prepare some of the food ahead of time and freeze it. From casseroles to cookies, you can have a large portion of your holiday food ready before the actual day arrives.
One pixel at a time, MoRAP looks at urban tree needs
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Researchers at the University of Missouri Resource Assessment Partnership (MoRAP) are creating digital maps to help state and federal agencies and nonprofit groups study which St. Louis neighborhoods need more trees. Research shows that urban residents who live in neighborhoods with trees are happier and healthier than people who live in barren areas. Trees also benefit neighborhoods by making them cooler and quieter.
Missouri farmers invited to apply for agroforestry incentive funds
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Eligible producers are invited to apply to the the Expanding Agroforestry Incentive Payment Program. Over five years, the program will pay producers $36 million to transform 30,000 acres spanning 30 states into agroforestry systems.
University of Missouri showcased in national report on publicly engaged scholarship
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new report from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) highlights how the University of Missouri System pivoted to university-wide engagement to address Missouri’s grand challenges. “Modernizing Scholarship for the Public Good: An Action Framework for Public Research Universities” includes concrete actions that public research universities can take in eight key areas to support publicly engaged…
Image
Engineering firm volunteers at KC urban garden maintained by MU Extension Master Gardeners
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Food and hope for the hungry are growing in the heart of downtown Kansas City. Since 2016, professionals from Dialectic Engineering have grown fruit and vegetables on a once-vacant city block. Produce goes to After the Harvest for use at a nearby community kitchen run by Nourish KC, a group that fights food insecurity.
Image
Feedstuff Finder: One-stop shop for Missouri buyers and sellers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Farmers and ranchers have a new tool to find or list hay and co-product feedstuffs for sale: Feedstuff Finder, developed by University of Missouri Extension for individuals looking to buy or sell products.
Image
Legacy gift for Osher@Mizzou
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Missouri (Osher@Mizzou) has received its first legacy gift thanks to Sharon Kinden, who has included the organization in her estate plan.
Tips for busting holiday budget blues
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The holiday season is a good time to talk about family budgets and plan for next year, says Andrew Zumwalt, chair of the University of Missouri’s Personal Financial Planning program. Zumwalt says family gatherings are also an opportunity to talk with extended family members about budgets for holiday gift-giving. Discussion about dollar amounts for gifts can prevent financial stress and misunderstandings, he says.
Turkey tips: Buying and thawing
BUTLER, Mo. – Don’t get stuck with a turkey that’s too small for the feast or one that’s still frozen solid on Thanksgiving morning. Buying the right size turkey and planning for defrost time can prevent Thanksgiving Day disasters. “If you want to have leftovers after Thanksgiving, make sure you buy 1 pound of whole turkey per person,” said Tammy Roberts, nutrition specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
Image
Missouri 4-H youths fall into fashion
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H State Fashion Revue, Oct. 14 on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia, drew 61 youth participants representing 25 counties across the state.Workshops were hosted by MU’s Textile and Apparel Management students and Collegiate 4-H members, said Megan Kershner, MU Extension 4-H clubs manager and awards coordinator.
Image
State 4-H public speaking contest allows youths to shine
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Youths from across the state took part in one of Missouri 4-H’s oldest and most popular competitions, the 4-H State Public Speaking Contest. Held on the University of Missouri campus in September, the event drew 45 youths from 27 counties.
Safe travels for holiday food gifts
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Many people want the gifts they send to be a surprise, but if you’re sending perishable food this holiday season, it’s better to spoil the surprise than risk spoiling the gift.
Image
Missouri 4-H dairy judging team finishes 2nd
The Missouri 4-H dairy judging team finished second overall at the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, held in October at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin.Competing in a field of 20, the team had its best finish in more than 100 years and qualified for international competition, said University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development specialist Karla Deaver, who coaches the team with retired MU Extension dairy…
Unlocking the mystery of Missouri farmland values
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Buyers paid more for Missouri farmland in 2023, according to the annual Missouri Farmland Values Opinion Survey from University of Missouri Extension.
Image
Veteran and urban groups team up to grow produce and peace of mind
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension, the Missouri Institute for Defense and Energy at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Veterans Community Project are working on a problem shared by deployed military personnel and urban residents: access to fresh food.
Image
New support for farm and food businesses in local, regional markets
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is one of 14 partners to organize the new Heartland Regional Food Business Center serving Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas.
Image
Heroes to Hives to expand in 2024
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In 2024, University of Missouri Extension will add a fourth site for Heroes to Hives, a free program that offers military veterans professional training and community development skills centered around beekeeping. The fourth site will be in the St. Louis area, which has a large veteran population. Existing sites are in Warrensburg, Mount Vernon and Poplar Bluff. More than 250 Missouri veterans have participated in the…
MU Extension ag enterprise budgets updated for producers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension crop and livestock enterprise budgets for Missouri producers have been updated at http://muext.us/MissouriAgBudgets.
“Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbors” Announced as Part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week Awards
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Twelve Missourians have been chosen for statewide recognition as “Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbor” for 2023 as part of the planned activities for Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 to Oct. 4). Sixty-two people were nominated for recognition as one of Missouri's most engaged neighbors. Each of them received an acknowledgment letter and gift by mail.