First MU Master Pollinator Steward classes begin in May
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The first series of University of Missouri Extension Master Pollinator Steward classes begins mid-May in Jefferson City.Pollinators play a crucial role in the production of fruits, vegetables, honey and field crops, said MU Extension horticulturist James Quinn. Declining populations of bees, birds, butterflies, bats and insects led MU Extension to develop a curriculum to help the public learn about pollinators and…
MU Extension boosts local economies by training young business owners
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Employment patterns over the past decade are prompting many enterprising youths to explore business ownership as an avenue for income. Fourteen-year-old Jefferson City native Rebekah Kempker typifies the trend. The high school freshman and longtime 4-H’er started a craft manufacturing, marketing and merchandising business a couple years ago. Kempker readily admits she had only a vague idea of what she was doing when…
Youth gain business savvy with MU Extension 4-H
COLUMBIA, Mo. -From roadside lemonade stands to full-service car washes, young people have always dreamed of ways to earn extra spending money. Now, with guidance and support from University of Missouri Extension 4-H, these young people are learning how to turn their dreams into reality.
Rural youth learn homegrown leadership through MU Extension 4-H program
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Young rural Missourians between the ages of 11-18 are starting after-school programs, constructing community gardens, leading community drives to combat poverty and addressing hunger in their schools, all as part of a University of Missouri Extension 4-H program designed to grow new leaders in towns with fewer than 10,000 people.
Missouri Soybean Hall of Fame inducts George Washington Carver
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri native George Washington Carver was named the second member of the Missouri Soybean Center Hall of Fame during the third annual Soybean Symposium in April.“We can be proud that Missouri produced this great person. He was an agronomist with a mission,” said Bill Wiebold, director of the Missouri Soybean Center.
Missouri’s Master Naturalists aid conservation, education
COLUMBIA, Mo.– Across the state, volunteer master naturalists are monitoring water quality in streams, performing wildlife inventories, helping with prairie-restoration efforts and facilitating activities and educational programs at wildlife refuges, parks and conservation areas.
Using poultry litter in tall fescue seed production
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Farmers have long used poultry litter as a source of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. A ton of poultry litter contains roughly 55 pounds of nitrogen, 55 pounds of phosphate and 45 pounds of potash. Buying these nutrients in commercial form would cost about $75 at today’s prices.
Protect your vision with a healthy diet
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss for people over 60. A study from the National Institutes of Health found that people over the age of 75 had a 30 percent risk of AMD. But studies also show that eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains can lower your risk of AMD, said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist.
MU tackles food defense
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and MU Extension are teaching farmers, meat and poultry processors, agriculture students, food service professionals and others how to defend against intentional food contamination.“There are many vulnerable access points within the farm-to-table food chain,” said Bob Weaber, MU Extension beef specialist.
Prepare for grass tetany season
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A University of Missouri Extension beef nutrition specialist counsels farmers to prepare for grass tetany season in March.Grass tetany can result from a magnesium deficiency in spring calving herds consuming lush forages high in potassium and low in calcium and sodium, said Justin Sexten of the MU Extension Commercial Agriculture Program.
Worm composting reduces household wastes
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – If you’re intimidated by the idea of building and maintaining a backyard compost pile, an indoor alternative is to feed your fruit and vegetable scraps to worms.
Jump-start your garden by planting seeds indoors
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – If you are planning a large vegetable garden this year, growing your own transplants offers advantages over direct seeding. Germinating seeds in a greenhouse, hotbed or your home can reduce transplant mortality and improve seedling vigor, said a University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist.
Start your shears: it’s pruning time
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Gardeners should make a pruning tour of their landscape now to touch up trees and shrubs, especially those planted in the past two years, said a University of Missouri horticulturist. “There are several advantages to spring pruning,” said Chris Starbuck. “With no leaves, you can see what you are doing.”With rising temperatures, cold snaps are unlikely to damage new growth. Pruning cuts heal quickly.
Eager gardeners should be wary of last spring frost
COLUMBIA, Mo. –Gardeners eager to plant their first annuals and vegetables should be wary of a last spring frost.“I tell people, if you plant early, plant only what you don’t mind losing,” said Mary Kroening, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.Garden centers often urge early planting to help sales, but gardeners should be patient, she said.
Helping children cope with a parent's job loss
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – A change in financial status due to the loss of a job is a difficult crisis for families to experience. How parents handle the situation can influence their children, so it is important to communicate with them in an age-appropriate way, said a University of Missouri Extension human development specialist.
Helping new businesses plan for success
JOPLIN, Mo. – Starting a business can be challenging even during a robust economy, yet opportunities still exist in today’s tough economic climate. However, it’s crucial for would-be entrepreneurs to do their homework before taking out a loan or cashing in retirement savings, said a University of Missouri Extension business development specialist.
Deeper isn’t always better when transplanting trees
COLUMBIA, Mo. – You don’t have to break your back when transplanting a tree, said a University of Missouri horticulturist.Research on tree root growth after transplanting suggests that you do not have to dig a deep hole, said Chris Starbuck.“In most soils, 90 percent of the actively absorbing root tips are within 12 inches of the soil surface, so it’s important to create a soil environment surrounding a new tree in which roots can grow…
Help your child get a good night’s sleep
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Children who get enough sleep are more likely to function better and are less prone to behavioral problems and moodiness. “That is why it is important for parents to start early and help their children develop good sleep habits,” said a University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development specialist.
Puny particles pack punch against harmful microbes in food
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Findings by University of Missouri scientists indicate that zinc oxide nanoparticles could be a weapon against harmful molds and bacteria in food.“These results suggest that zinc oxide nanoparticles could potentially be used as an effective post-harvest antimicrobial agent in agricultural and food-safety applications,” said Mengshi Lin, assistant professor of food science.
Living pots
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Want to make your garden or flower bed even more green this year? Forgo those plastic planting pots and go biodegradable.Starting this growing season, the teaching greenhouses and in-house florist shop at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources will use 100-percent biodegradable pots to grow plants such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, cucumbers, melons and herbs.
Save money by planting a vegetable garden
COLUMBIA, Mo. – With the recession eating away at family budgets, vegetable gardens are growing in popularity, says a University of Missouri Extension horticulturist. “Vegetable gardening is an excellent way to save on the family food bill,” said David Trinklein. Seed companies, greenhouse operators and other retailers report a 10-15 percent increase in garden-related purchasing, he said.
Scouting fields crucial to managing wheat foliage diseases
LAMAR, Mo.– There are foliar diseases that can cause yield loss in winter wheat, said Jay Chism, an agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Barton County.“It is important to scout wheat fields for diseases,” he said. “The key is to apply fungicides to wheat at the early boot stage to head emergence.” Applying fungicides at this growth stage, when the flag leaf is in danger of infection, provides the most…
Motivation for those who hate exercise
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Many people profess to hate exercise, but there are ways to get motivated and even learn to enjoy keeping fit, said a University of Missouri Extension nutrition and health education specialist.“Many people get off to a bad start by taking the all-or-nothing approach,” said Lynda Johnson.
Teaching children the value of chores
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. – Families that work together and share responsibilities raise children who understand the value of work, said a University of Missouri human development specialist. “Giving children jobs around the home helps parents and teaches children they are important cogs in the household wheel,” said Kris Jenkins. “Chores help children learn to take pride in their work and gain self-respect.”
Missouri native grasses tame high-explosive residue in soil
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Two native Missouri grasses show promise in breaking down military explosives that contaminate soil and water at sites across the country, say University of Missouri and Lincoln University researchers.Switch grass and eastern gamma grass have high potential for breaking down TNT and RDX, two of the military’s most important high explosives, said Chung-Ho Lin, research assistant professor at the MU Center for…