Check your home for toxic plants
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It is estimated that more than 700 plant species growing in North America can have harmful effects on humans, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.Many plant poisonings occur when curious children are attracted to colorful berries and blooms on plants within their reach. Their low body weight makes plant toxicity higher in children than adults, said MU Extension safety and health…
Organizing household items helps avoid look-alike poisoning
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck. Not necessarily, says University of Missouri Extension safety and health specialist Karen Funkenbusch. Many poisons look like common household items because they are the same color or shape or are packaged similarly. Mistakes can have consequences ranging from temporary discomfort to severe illness, permanent injury or death.
Farm Safety Day, March 24, offers free fun, family activities
FORTUNA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension offers a free Farm Safety Day from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, March 24, at Central Missouri Produce Auction in Fortuna.Fun, family-oriented events will be offered throughout the event, said University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Joni Harper.
Laundry packets pack a harmful punch to children
HOUSTON, Mo. – Laundry packets offer loads of temptation for curious children.Kids like the colorful, squishy soap packets, says Angie Fletcher, specialist with the University of Missouri Extension. While they may look and feel fun, they are anything but when broken or eaten. Highly concentrated soap pods cause rapid vomiting, wheezing, gasping, sleepiness, eye damage and, in rare cases, death.
Hydrangeas, the bold chameleon of plants
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Bold, eye-catching hydrangeas appear at floral shops and garden centers now through Mother’s Day.“Hydrangea’s regal elegance is uncommon among potted plants,” said David Trinklein, University of Missouri Extension horticulturist.
DTE, Inc. — Lebanon
DTE, Inc. provides custom automation and tooling for a wide variety of industries — automotive and agricultural, medical and pharmaceutical and consumer products that span life.
Camp Ca-Pow sparks love and giving
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri alumni Alyssa Roost, BHS ’16, and Matt Praiswater, BS ’15, met in 2016 when they worked as interns for Camp Ca-Pow (College Access-Planning Our Way), a program that helps middle school students explore career and college opportunities.
HY-C Company, Inc. - St. Louis
The HY-C Company has faced numerous threats and challenges in its nearly 70-year history. But this one was different.
Aspen Spas — St. Louis
Aspen Spas, which has built custom hot tubs and specialized spas for a quarter century, entered the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program in late 2014.
Mercury Communications & Construction Inc. – Fenton
Jeff Fischer, vice president of Mercury Communications & Construction Inc., Fenton, a wireless services provider and general contractor, and recipient of a $150,000 grant to improve training, marketing and advertising through the Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC), a University of Missouri Extension Business Development Program (BDP) funded by the U.S.
Custom Powder Systems — Springfield
Custom Powder Systems (CPS) designs, builds and automates the equipment used to dispense, size, mill and blend the powders used in the pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries. The company also provides cleaning systems that rid these machines of powder residue, preventing cross contamination, ensuring FDA safety regulations are met and protecting the machine operators.
Sobba wins Annie's Project ag educator award
MEXICO, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension agricultural business specialist Mary Sobba is the winner of the 2018 Annie’s Project Women in Ag Educator Award.A 25-year extension regional faculty member, Sobba taught the first Missouri Annie’s Project in 2004.
MU Extension offers free frost/freeze guide
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The free online Missouri Frost/Freeze Probabilities Guide helps farmers and gardeners make planting decisions.University of Missouri Extension integrated pest management specialists created the website at ipm.missouri.edu/FrostFreezeGuide. The guide is also available as a free downloadable PDF.
St. Paddy's Day is a dud for planting spuds in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The admonition for gardeners to plant their potatoes on St. Patrick’s Day is probably good advice for some parts of our country, but not for Missouri, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.“It is a few weeks too early,” he said. Wait to plant potatoes until soil temperatures warm to above 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
New petunias pack a punch of color
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Bursting with color and relatively low-maintenance, petunias are a longtime favorite of gardeners. But that wasn’t always the case.
48 compete in 4-H meat judging contest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension 4-H State Meats Judging contest on Feb. 17 drew 48 competitors, said Don Nicholson, Missouri 4-H interim associate director.The contest is held in partnership with the MU meat science program and MU Collegiate Meats Judging Team. Contestants had the opportunity to hone their judging skills, and explore future career and educational options.
'Grow Your Farm' sessions begin in Kirksville
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – “Grow Your Farm” sessions for beginning farmers begin March 14 at the University of Missouri Extension Center in Adair County, Kirksville. MU Extension, through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Advocacy and Outreach to help veterans and socially disadvantaged persons who want to farm, offers the program to increase agribusinesses and enterprise development. Karen Funkenbusch serves as…
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You can whip potatoes, but it's hard to beat beets
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Few vegetables elicit less excitement from the average gardener than beet. Once relegated to pickling or making borscht, beet is enjoying greater respect due to its reported health benefits, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
MU plant pathologist gives update on emerging crop diseases
PALMYRA, Mo. – New University of Missouri Extension plant pathologist Kaitlyn Bissonnette urges growers to notify her if they spot southern rust and other diseases this growing season. She gave growers a look at emerging diseases at the second annual NEMO Soils and Crop Conference in Palmyra Feb. 8.
Grain bin safety costs a little, saves a lot
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It costs less than $500 to make it safer to enter farm grain bins, says a University of Missouri Extension rural safety and health specialist. “You can’t afford not to follow safe procedures,” says Karen Funkenbusch as the harvest season approaches. While $500 may sound like a lot, the savings are priceless, she says.
Horse Bowl tests youth on equine knowledge
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Horse Shows Association (MHSA) and University of Missouri Extension in Boone County hosted a Horse Bowl competition in Columbia at the Stephens College campus Jan. 27.Thirteen teams of students, ages 9-18, competed in three divisions: junior, intermediate and senior. They represented a variety of organizations, including MHSA, local Saddle Clubs, Pony Club, 4-H and FFA.
Avoid identity theft during tax season
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Identity thieves thrive during tax filing season.Take steps to prevent those electronic criminals from lining their pockets with your refund and personal information, says University of Missouri Extension personal finance specialist Andrew Zumwalt.First, file taxes promptly. Identity thieves try to file early so your refund goes to them before you file.
New MU entomologist tells farmers about pests to watch for
PALMYRA, Mo. – “The genie’s out of the bottle” on the spotted lanternfly, University of Missouri Extension entomologist Kevin Rice told farmers Feb. 8 at the second annual NEMO Soils and Crop Conference in Palmyra.Rice gave farmers an update on insects to watch in the upcoming growing season. He urged them to contact him when they find these invasive pests so he can track their presence in the state.
File a tax return even if you don't have to
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension personal finance specialist Andrew Zumwalt offers three reasons why you should file a tax return even if it is not required.
Missouri fescue school, March 6, helps farmers replace toxic K-31
MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – Beef herd owners serious about improving fescue pastures—and their beef herds—can learn how in a March 6 meeting at the University of Missouri Southwest Research Center, Mount Vernon.Kentucky 31 toxic tall fescue causes endless losses in cows and calves, says Craig Roberts, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist.“The answer is easy: Kill the old stand of fescue and replace it with a novel-endophyte…