Missouri 4-H youths test knowledge at State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The 2021 University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Bowl Contest gathered 19 youths and their coaches in late March and early April.The contest consisted of an online qualifying exam in March; the top four teams in each age division advanced to the in-person portion in April.Top junior competitors (ages 8-13):First: Bailey Spalding, Jackson County.Second: Elizabeth Pruett, Jackson County.Third: Kelsa Kirk, Jackson…
Mary Beth Mitchell honored with Missouri 4-H volunteer leadership award
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Celebrating National Volunteer Week, the Missouri 4-H Foundation is proud to present Missouri 4-H volunteer Mary Beth Mitchell with the 2021 Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award. Mitchell, of Monroe County, is being recognized for more than 30 years of service and support to Missouri 4-H.
It all started at the show ring
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Jenna Hasekamp, a member of the Audrain County F&L Hustlers 4-H Club, is helping to pioneer the participation of Missouri community college teams at livestock judging contests. This fall, Hasekamp will join North Central Missouri College’s livestock judging team, which started last fall and is currently the only Missouri community college team competing in livestock judging.
Should I Export My Business’s Goods and Services?
Are you a small business owner that is not currently exporting your goods and services, but is considering it? Are you concerned about how to make the right decision on this important question for your company and how to prepare your business for success in this area? If so, this column is for intended for you. It is my goal to share information to help position you and your business for a decision on exporting.
A masterpiece of inclusion: Ferguson Farmers Market community garden
FERGUSON, Mo. – Many dabble in the art of gardening, but Ron Brown takes its meaning to a new level. One of his masterpieces is the accessible garden he has designed for participants in United Cerebral Palsy Heartland’s day programs.
From overlooked plot to community hub: Wildwood YMCA gardens
WILDWOOD, Mo. – For Jodi Smedley, being a Master Gardener is about much more than gardening. Through her work with the Wildwood YMCA, Smedley has realized the impact gardening can have on everyday life and the community as a whole.
Master Gardeners do more than garden
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – St. Louis area Master Gardeners may be as well known for their community spirit as for the beautiful and bountiful gardens they tend. “It’s safe to say our volunteers have really helped transform the region,” said Holly Records, St. Louis Master Gardener coordinator with the University of Missouri Extension and Missouri Botanical Garden.
Lighting a spark for the future
COLUMBIA, Mo. – March 2020 would have been the fifth year of Camp CaPow—College Access-Planning Our Way. Held at the University of Missouri’s Family Impact Center in Columbia, Camp CaPow is a weeklong opportunity for middle school students to explore career and postsecondary education options through workshops, tours of Missouri college campuses, meetings with professionals from a range of fields, and mentorship from a team of…
Profitable cow-calf operations begin with early calvers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Cows need to conceive and calve early to earn their keep.University of Missouri Extension beef cow-calf specialist Jordan Thomas says managing for a short or even an “ultra-short” calving season should determine which cows get to stay on the farm. Late-conceiving cows should go to market.
Should soybean be planted before corn? MU research still favors corn
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In recent years, the agriculture community began discussing whether it makes sense to plant soybean first and delay corn planting.The University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute predicts a 7% increase in soybean acres planted in 2021. That leaves farmers wondering whether they could, or should, plant soybean before corn.
MU Plant Diagnostic Clinic is now open
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Like humans, plants can get sick and need someone to diagnose their illnesses, says Peng Tian, the new lab director of the University of Missouri Plant Diagnostic Clinic.The Plant Diagnostic Clinic has served Missourians since 1965 to help clients, including county extension specialists, commercial growers, government agencies and homeowners, identify plant health problems.
MU Southwest Center studies 'double' stocker calf operations on fescue
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Researchers at University of Missouri’s Southwest Research Center in Mount Vernon are starting their third year of studying if beef producers can improve profits through a “double” calf stocking and grazing plan.The study looks at how to graze the same number of calves in half the time for better weight gains, says University of Missouri Extension beef nutrition specialist Eric Bailey.
Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors recognizes 5 dairy leaders
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors has announced its latest award winners. Due to COVID-19, honorees will be recognized in 2022, according to Gloria Johnson, executive secretary for the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors.
Use sacrifice pastures now to spare best cattle grazing pastures for later
STOCKTON, Mo. – If not managed properly, muddy pastures can affect grazing the rest of the year, says University of Missouri Extension regional livestock specialist Patrick Davis.“Cattle producers need to evaluate their pastures,” Davis says. Identify pastures that are thin and in need of renovation and consider using those as sacrifice pastures. Davis recommends consulting an MU Extension agronomist to grade pastures and make…
Growing a food hub and community at the same time
Work as a corporate paralegal brought Erica Williams up against issues of disinvestment in North St. Louis County that began to “bother my spirit,” Williams said. “There was a loss of investment in jobs, community, places to find healthy food — a loss of hope in the region — and lots of vacant land and buildings. I thought, ‘Let’s get something going here!’”
Missouri EATs helps communities strengthen local food systems
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Missouri 4-H career-readiness programs get $75,000 boost from Healthy Blue's affiliated Foundation
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri 4-H has received $75,000 from Healthy Blue’s affiliated Foundation to help young people across the state explore colleges and careers. The 4-H Youth Futures College Within Reach program, developed by the University of Missouri Extension and Lincoln University Cooperative Extension, is a college orientation program that includes ongoing local mentoring, campus visits and a conference on the MU campus.
Breakthrough in fight against global disease of citrus trees
WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Citrus greening is a devastating disease affecting trees across the globe. Research by University of Missouri Extension agricultural engineering specialist Shirin Ghatrehsamani may provide the key to overcoming citrus greening.
Do spring safety check on and off the farm
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Planting season brings increased risk of physical injury and mental stress among farmworkers and families, says University of Missouri Extension safety and health specialist Karen Funkenbusch. Before heading to the fields, review basic safety lessons with workers and family members, she says. Rural roadway safety
New research targets late-calving dairy cows
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Intensive targeted synchronization improves the fertility of late-calving dairy cows in seasonal pasture-based systems, according to a paper in the Journal of Dairy Science Communications.
4-H youths test skills at 2021 State 4-H Horse Judging Contest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Judging Contest took place virtually Feb. 27-28, drawing 81 competing 4-H members, said Maria Calvert, Missouri 4-H state agriculture and natural resources educator.
If you dye eggs, keep them safe
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Believe it or not, hard-cooked eggs can spoil faster than fresh eggs, so if your family plans to eat dyed Easter eggs, it’s important to follow food safety principles to prevent illness.“Eggs are porous and bacteria can penetrate the shell. When they are washed at the plant, a protective coating is added,” said Tammy Roberts, University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist.
Don’t wing it with egg safety this Easter
BETHANY, Mo. – Don’t let safety rules fly the coop this Easter. University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health specialist Janet Hackert offers eggs-cellent tips to prevent foodborne illnesses caused by salmonella.
Easter eggs-periments to try with kids
MONTICELLO, Mo. – Make coloring Easter eggs with the children and grandchildren fun and educational, says Katie Hogan, University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth program assistant.Eggs-periment with embryology lessons as you dip and dye this year. In addition to science skills, children learn color recognition, painting and cutting skills while helping decorate eggs. Count and sort as you go and talk about how eggs from various birds…
When the power goes out, don’t be in the dark about food safety
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – When the power goes out, the clock starts ticking on the safety of your refrigerated and frozen foods.Meats, seafood, ice cream, cut produce and even leftover pizza can become susceptible to foodborne contaminants in just a few hours, said Londa Nwadike, food safety extension specialist for the University of Missouri and Kansas State University.