100-year-old sells farm after 'work, work, work'
CARROLLTON, Mo. – Centenarian Wilda Cox knows hard work. She’s built barns, lugged 110-pound cans of milk, picked and husked corn by hand and bucked hay bales.But Cox endured no harder day than Oct. 31, 2022, when she sold the farm that had been in her family for more than a century.
Gift a Book on Neighboring This Year
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Holiday shopping is in full swing, and books remain a great gift option, according to David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension. "Whether you are shopping for a gift for family members, co-workers, or neighbors, let me suggest some books as gifts," said Burton. All of these books share a common theme: neighboring.
MU Extension offers tips to reduce hay loss
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Good-quality hay bales are like precious gems. They’re valuable and worthy of your safest storage, says Charles Ellis, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agricultural engineering.Proper storage is one way producers can reduce hay waste. Ellis offers a few steps to consider when deciding what hay to store:
Hannibal startup shines during sunflower oil shortage
HANNIBAL, Mo. – A northeastern Missouri farm is making sunflower oil amid a global shortage linked to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.Family-owned and operated, Show Me HH Farms, of Hannibal, offers cold-pressed sunflower seed oil, a primary cooking oil in many parts of the world. Sunflower oil’s light yellow color, mild flavor and ability to withstand high cooking temperatures make it a favorite of cooks.
MU Extension releases how-to videos for hiring on the farm
COLUMBIA, Mo. – New how-to videos and related resources from University of Missouri Extension specialists can help farm operators looking to attract and keep workers.
Missouri 4-H ranks second at American Royal livestock judging contest
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Andrew County 4-H Livestock Judging Team represented Missouri 4-H at the 2022 American Royal National 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contest in Kansas City on Oct. 16. Team members include Ella Fischer, Paisley Nelson, Payton Rodgers, Sam Jordan and Gavin Rhode. The team is coached by Cody Sloan.
Build Neighbor Connections With Favorite Things Party
Parties are great ways to get to know your neighbors, especially if you do a "favorite things party."
Getting livestock through the winter
SEDALIA, Mo. – Pasture and hay supplies are short in many areas of central and southern Missouri. University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Gene Schmitz has a number of options for livestock producers to consider for feeding their livestock this winter.Test hay
Missouri names delegates for 2023 National 4-H Conference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Each year, Missouri 4-H sends representatives to the National 4-H Conference. In April 2023, Jake Bartlett of Platte County and Andrew Shelton of Barton County will travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the pinnacle experience in 4-H Civic Engagement.
Missouri 4-H Dairy Judging finishes 2nd in Louisville
Missouri 4-H capped the year with a second place overall team finish at the 2022 North American International Livestock Exposition Dairy Judging Invitational Contest in Louisville, Kentucky, on Nov. 5. Nineteen youth teams competed.
MU celebrates history and future of integrated pest management
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As University of Missouri Extension researchers celebrate the 50th anniversary of integrated pest management, they reflect on the past, present and future of IPM.
Wind, drought contribute to fires at harvest
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Roadway accidents and combine fires make harvest the most dangerous time of the year for those who work in America’s most dangerous occupation – farming, says University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch.
Giving thanks for the beautiful, bitter cranberry
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Made famous by the Pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving, cranberries have long been a favorite at holiday dinners despite their sharp, bitter taste.Americans gobble up about 400 million pounds of the bitter berry annually, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. About 20% of its consumption comes during the Thanksgiving season.
Celebrate Thanksgiving with a 'turkey foot' hike
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If you gobble until you wobble at Thanksgiving dinner, take your flock of family and friends for a trek across a tallgrass prairie for a memorable Thanksgiving holiday outing, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund.
Take poinsettia off Santa's 'naughty' list
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A century ago, poinsettia was added to Santa’s “naughty” list, but the plant’s reputation for being poisonous is unfortunate, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Its pretty bracts and leaves pose no danger to people and pets, other than possible allergic reactions.
November farm management news and notes from MU Extension
COLUMBIA, Mo. – With harvest wrapping up, it is the time for producers to review their farm’s current net income and look to next year’s projections. This is also a time to explore new ways to increase on-farm revenue and evaluate new or existing lease agreements. Learn more about these topics from this month’s news and notes from University of Missouri Extension. Net farm income outlook
MU Extension helps farmers in the Bahamas
When Hal Donaldson was a young man, he got to meet Mother Teresa.“What are you doing to help the poor?” she asked him.Well, I better not lie to Mother Teresa, he thought to himself, so he said, “I’m not really doing much of anything.”
MU Sembrador team wins EDI award
The MU Extension and Engagement Team Award for Equity, Diversity and Incl
How you feed hay this winter is more important than ever
GALENA, Mo. – With a shortage of standing forage for cattle and the low availability of hay, it is more important than ever this winter to reduce waste when feeding hay.Hay waste is normal, but it can be controlled and minimized, said University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Tim Schnakenberg.
New trustees elected to Missouri 4-H Foundation
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation has announced the election of four new trustees to its board of directors: David Baker, Wendy Hall, Wendy Loges and Christine Tew.
Long COVID in workers could be a challenge for Missouri employers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missourians report higher rates of disability and long COVID than the U.S. average, according to a study brief by University of Missouri Extension. Long COVID – ongoing health problems that last months or more following infection with the COVID-19 virus – could be keeping 2 million to 4 million U.S. workers out of the workforce. The brief, “COVID-19 and Paid Leave,” is available for download at muext.us/MEIOct2022.
Pastures, goats benefit from grazing an invasive species
GRAVOIS MILLS, Mo. – Cattle don’t like eating sericea lespedeza, an invasive species in Missouri pastures. But goats do, according to research at the University of Missouri’s Land of the Osages Research Farm in central Missouri.MU Extension forage specialist Harley Naumann found that goats are also getting a health benefit from sericea lespedeza.
Heroes to Hives and other MU Extension programs help veterans
POTOSI, Mo. – Beginning farmer and 25-year Army veteran Eric Work’s calendar is full of educational programs offered by University of Missouri Extension. “MU Extension programs are a godsend,” Work says. “I benefit from the amazing, high-quality learning opportunities that University of Missouri Extension continually provides, not only to veterans but many other diverse groups that are interested in learning and potentially pursuing…
Nonprofit finds pearls in the Elevate program, Boone Center Inc. - St. Peters, MO
BCI is a nonprofit organization that was founded in St. Charles, Missouri, in 1959 to provide employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. Elevate program cohorts do not usually include nonprofits, but BCI fit because they do manufacturing, create jobs, and contribute to the economic development of St. Charles County.
Ina Linville inducted into National 4-H Hall of Fame
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ina Metzger Linville was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame for her lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H. Honored by the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development, Linville was one of 16 inducted in October during a ceremony at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.Linville’s career with Missouri 4-H spanned more than 30 years. She served as Missouri 4-H program director…