![Dried cloves. Photo by David Monniaux (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cloves_p1160011.jpg), https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20201105-cloves-1.jpg?itok=8e_ezVYU)
MU spreadsheet tracks, evaluates colostrum management
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension dairy veterinarian Scott Poock has developed a spreadsheet to track and evaluate colostrum management data in dairy calves.
![Dried cloves. Photo by David Monniaux (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cloves_p1160011.jpg), https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20201105-cloves-1.jpg?itok=8e_ezVYU)
Spice up the holidays for lasting memories
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The lingering aroma of spices can bring back warm and welcoming memories of the winter holidays.“The holiday season simply would not be the same without certain traditional foods and beverages. Many of these foods are special because of the use of certain spices,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.
![From left, Nyala Bulock and Ed Williams of Missouri Care; Rachel Augustine, director of the Missouri 4-H Foundation; 4-H youth development specialist Andrea Wikiera; and Lupita Fabregas, director of the Missouri 4-H Center for Youth Development. Bulock an](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20201103-SNAC-1.jpg?itok=ysRWfmVB)
Missouri Care gift to help grow 4-H student nutrition advisory clubs
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri 4-H received $25,000 from Missouri Care Inc. to support young people across Missouri in promoting healthy habits in their communities. The 4-H Student Nutrition Advisory Council (SNAC) initiative, piloted last year in the Kansas City metropolitan area, creates new 4-H clubs that focus on teaching nutrition along with leadership and citizenship skills central to 4-H.
!['Hiss' by Eileen Shafer of Cole County 4-H was among the 2020 FilmFest 4-H entries screened at a drive-in-style outdoor 4-H awards program in Bardstown, Ky.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20201102-FF4H-2.jpg?itok=KGnEw9l9)
FilmFest 4-H helps youths reach beyond state borders
BARDSTOWN, Ky. – As COVID-19 numbers surged in Nelson County, Kentucky, 4-H extension agents Danielle Hagler and Nicole Howard brainstormed a drive-in movie approach for their county awards ceremony with the local 4-H council.
![Iowa Concern Hotline flyer.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20201102-ic-1.jpg?itok=6eZMmBrH)
Free hotline offers counseling, referrals for Missourians in crisis
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missourians in crisis can take advantage of a free 24-hour hotline for stress counseling as well as information and referrals on legal, financial, crisis/disaster and personal health topics. Individuals can seek help by phone or live online chat.
![University of Missouri Extension agronomist and longtime beekeeper Travis Harper will teach the hands-on portion of the Heroes to Hives program in Missouri. The program helps veterans learn beekeeping. Photo by Tevin Uthlaut.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20201102-h2h.jpg?itok=Y61I_5lH)
First state chapter of Heroes to Hives beekeeping program begins at MU
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri has the first state chapter of Heroes to Hives, a program that supports veterans who want to learn beekeeping.
![Brown marmorated stink bug. Credit: U.S. Army.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/Brown-marmorated-stink-bug2.jpg?itok=XmJ0qaJT)
Crops face danger of BMSB damage
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A flurry of calls and emails from homeowners about the brown marmorated stink bug to University of Missouri Extension specialists sounds a warning of what is to come in in the next two years.
![Donna Garcia, top, during the Oct. 28 virtual presentation of the National Extension Diversity Award. Columbia attorney Robin Winn, bottom left, was an early participant in Missouri 4-H’s Youth Futures program.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20201029-yf-1.jpg?itok=JMLZakCw)
Missouri 4-H wins National Extension Diversity Award
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – “They were the students who were not supposed to make it,” says Donna Garcia. They are young people with the potential to become top scholars and leaders in their communities, but they face obstacles that might make success seem forever out of reach, says Garcia, University of Missouri Extension state 4-H specialist for college and career readiness.
Without forage test, hay by any other name is just hay
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mature hay is hay. It may be brome hay, prairie hay or any other type of hay. But in the end, it’s just hay until it’s been tested.Forage tests tell the tale of whether hay is of good quality and nutrient-rich, says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Gene Schmitz.
Initiative connects rural working families with valuable tax credit info
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Starting in the 2020 tax season, more rural Missourians in need will be able to learn about their eligibility for the federal earned income tax credit (EITC), one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty tools targeting low- and moderate-income working families.
MU Extension, Platte County 4-H Pivots to Meet the Needs of Today’s Youth
Kansas City, MO., October 19, 2020. Meet Emma M., a 3rd year member of Hoover Heroes 4-H Club. She is passionate about increasing her life skills through her interests in entomology (study of bugs). Emma noted that "we need to remember how challenging 2020 was with COVID and what it was like to having to do things online, when we couldn't meet in person. I try to work hard for my club.
Keeping the doors open and people employed, Prock Operations - St. James, MO
"It absolutely has helped keep us going as a business." That's what Carla Lee, Prock Operations corporate counsel, said about the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) support and the coronavirus relief the company received through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) earlier this year.
MU Strip Trial Program seeks participants for fertilizer trials
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is looking for farmers to participate in fertilizer trials as part of the “MU Certified” Strip Trial Program.MU Extension nutrient management specialist John Lory, who leads the program, said this year’s farmer panel approved trials focused on improving management of fertilizer in corn and soybean rotations, wheat and forages.
![Scott Hoad found that he could use GI Bill benefits to learn welding, putting him on course for a new career.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20201021-hoad-1.jpg?itok=5W7vq1Ax)
Connecting to Careers
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Scott Hoad was at a low point this spring, trying to piece together a decent living after being laid off from a job painting commercial aircraft. Then Hoad crossed paths with Amy Patillo, a University of Missouri Extension labor and workforce development specialist based in Springfield.
Like a Good Neighbor, Sort of
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A landmark study on “good neighbors” by State Farm (2015) found that a sense of community among neighbors is a constant desire across generations. But, the State Farm survey also showed that Millennials may not know exactly how to connect; while Baby Boomers are generally most satisfied with relationships.
Scare up Good Times Year Round
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Halloween may look different for children and neighborhoods this year. But it is a good reminder that a neighborhood block party is the opportunity to scare up fun any time of year. "A neighborhood block party is an opportunity for neighbors to get together, meet each other, have fun, and maybe work together on an everyday activity," said David Burton, a community development specialist with University of…
![Participants at the 2019 Youth Futures Conference.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20201019-yfc-2.jpg?itok=ow6V2Ykh)
Missouri 4-H: Preparing for the future
How can private and public partners across Missouri strengthen and enhance the state’s workforce? This is the focus of University of Missouri System Engagement Week, Oct. 26-30, in partnership with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The public is invited to register for the session on Thursday, Oct.
![Mandevilla, a vigorous, heat-loving vine, will need severe pruning before being moved indoors. Photo courtesy David Trinklein.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/mandevilla.jpg?itok=wM8zf_wu)
Tropical plants can overwinter indoors
COLUMBIA, Mo. – You may not get to take a tropical vacation this year, but you can bring the tropics inside your home.With the right light and temperature, it is possible to keep tropical patio plants indoors for another summer of enjoyment.“The colorful flowers, ability to tolerate hot temperatures and carefree nature of tropical plants make them a welcome addition to the home landscape,” said University of Missouri Extension…
The Power of Partnership
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri has launched MU Community Connect, a platform designed to improve opportunities for connection between the university and various populations in the communities they serve.
Assessing the pandemic risks, Core Financial Services, Inc. - Kansas City, MO
When unavoidable disaster strikes, small business owners often find themselves lost and alone. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Lisa Sicola knew she had someone in her corner that she could rely on.
![2020 Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20201012-4Hhof-1.jpg?itok=UkO_8UiJ)
Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame inducts new members for 2020
COLUMBIA, Mo. – “Making the best better” for generations of Missouri 4-H club members, 44 volunteers joined the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame. The 2020 inductees, from 36 counties, have established a legacy totaling 1,008 years of service to 4-H.
![4-H on Canvas](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20201008-4honline-3.png?itok=tMIHmPsY)
4-H Goes Online now live through MU Extension 4-H
COLUMBIA, Mo. – This fall, Missouri youths ages 5-18 and the volunteers and faculty who serve them will have access to projects in 4-H Goes Online through Canvas, an easy-to-use online learning platform. Projects will be available in these areas: Clover Kids, Shooting Sports, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Science and Natural Resources, Plant and Animal Science, Healthy Living, Leadership and Personal Development, and…
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Missouri 4-H is ready!
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It is a busy time of year in Missouri 4-H. Oct. 1 marked the beginning of the new 4-H year, and faculty, staff and volunteers are busy making sure everyone has what they need to start off right.
![Juan Cabrera-García, MU Extension especialista en horticultura en el sureste de Missouri.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/20200929-jcg-1.jpg?itok=NR_LtWbt)
Cultivando la Inclusividad
En base a la población, Estados Unidos es el segundo país de mayor población hispana del mundo, según el U.S. Census Bureau (censo americano). Si contamos todas las personas bilingües y aquellos que su lengua nativa es el español, Estados Unidos tiene mas gente de habla hispana que España. ¿Cómo pueden los especialistas de MU Extensión asegurarse de poder servir a la población hispana en Missouri?
![Amur maple. Photo by David Trinklein.](/sites/default/files/styles/flexslider_full_no_crop_300x200/public/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/amur.maple.jpg?itok=b562N8x6)
Missouri’s fall foliage color show begins soon
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Fall color is kind of like Christmas morning, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. “You don’t know if you are going to get an orange or a lump of coal in your stocking.” Some years are better than others, he says, and about once a decade, colors really pop. “Unfortunately, because of the recent warm weather that followed a rather dry late summer, it does not appear as if 2021 will…