Image
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.
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…
Image
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?
Image
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.
Image
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.
Image
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.
Image
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.
Image
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.
Image
Partnership with MU business students seeds innovation across Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Over the last year, more than 600 University of Missouri business students have worked in dozens of communities across the state helping small businesses find solutions and opportunities even during these uncertain times.
The little inn that could, Sandpiper Landing Inn - Branson, MO
In the early part of the 20th century, as the automobile became affordable and highways were built to connect the country, Americans took to the road. Numerous family-owned motels popped up along the routes to accommodate them.
Three Key Factors Needed for a Healthy Neighborhood
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Three factors continually show up in research when people express what they want in a “healthy” neighborhood: safe, clean, and friendly. According to David Burton, a community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension, individuals can take actions that will improve these factors in their neighborhood.
Image
Extension exceeds Our Time to Lead goal: new initiatives continue the momentum
University of Missouri Extension and Engagement exceeded its Our Time to Lead goal by nearly 50% — raising more than $37.2 million for the MU comprehensive giving campaign launched five years ago. Generous donors gave more than $6.5 million in the last year alone. To celebrate this milestone, MU Extension and Engagement this week announced two philanthropic initiatives to carry this exciting momentum through the next century.
Image
Harvesting grief: National Suicide Awareness Month
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It is almost harvest time on the Gottman farms in rural northeastern Missouri. Trees blushed with shades of scarlet, saffron and sage edge mouse-brown soybean fields. The air is crisp; the sky a palette of blues. From the combine cab, Tim Gottman will remember his gentle-hearted son’s birthday on Sept. 27. Toby would have been 22, likely ready to take his place on the farm where five generations of his family tilled…
Develop a family crisis plan
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The best time to prepare for an emergency is when there is no emergency, says Karen Funkenbusch, University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist. National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is held annually in September and is a good time to develop a crisis plan, says Funkenbusch.
Study maps future workforce demands of state’s No. 1 economic driver: agriculture industries
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Over the next decade, Missouri’s food, agriculture and forestry industries are projected to generate 13,000 job openings each year. Deliberate statewide planning and action will ensure a globally competitive workforce for employers in these industries that are foundational to Missouri’s economy.
Image
Getting employees in recovery back into the workplace
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Opioid addiction keeps an estimated 1 million Missourians out of the workforce and costs the state about $1 million an hour, including the loss of jobs and wages. A new University of Missouri community health initiative will help rural communities counter the effects of the opioid crisis by focusing on local workforce recovery efforts, which could also help faltering rural economies.
Brewing up business and spirits: One brewpub’s pandemic experience, Minglewood Brewery - Cape Girardeau, MO
Craft beers and cocktails in a can — delivered curbside or to your door: two ways you can get your favorite drinks from your local watering hole while socially distancing in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in 2020.
Corn residue: cheap grazing for cattle
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Grazing drought-dried corn and cornstalks offers cattle inexpensive, nutritious forage, say two University of Missouri Extension specialists.Many corn and livestock growers turned to longtime MU Extension livestock specialist Eldon Cole to ask about grazing dried-up corn after persistent drought in southwestern Missouri this season.SW Missouri cows thrive in drought-stricken corn
FireUP Your HR for Small Business
Seize the opportunity to develop real-time human resource (HR) tools in order to get better results and gain a distinct competitive edge.
Image
4-H scholarship donors help youth leaders develop and flourish
For longtime Missouri 4-H member Hannah Persell, the power of giving goes beyond words. Persell — a University of Missouri senior studying agriculture business management — received one of the 501 scholarships totaling $515,800 that the Missouri 4-H Foundation awarded during MU's comprehensive Our Time to Lead giving campaign.
Communication matters as you move from 'Grunt I' to CEO
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Who will run the farm? It’s the elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about until the owner dies or can no longer run the farm, says Wesley Tucker. Tucker is a fourth-generation farmer and succession planning coordinator for University of Missouri Extension. He helps farm families pass management and ownership of the family farm to the next generation.
Image
Wantland tops 2020 State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest
SEDALIA, Mo. – The State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest looked somewhat different this year, but Lila Wantland remained consistent and led the field in dominating fashion at the Aug. 22 event held at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. Wantland repeated her 2019 win, following up 2018 and 2017 victories in the intermediate division.
Image
Online learning a struggle in many rural communities
“We are in desperate need,” says Michelle Kleeman, 4-H club leader and owner of Kleeman Family Farm in southwestern Missouri. These five words describe the frustration many rural families face without access to one of today’s essential school supplies — high-speed internet. The challenges are even greater this year as many schools move some or all classes online to prevent the spread of COVID-19.