Tips for busting holiday budget blues
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The holiday season is a good time to talk about family budgets and plan for next year, says Andrew Zumwalt, chair of the University of Missouri’s Personal Financial Planning program. Zumwalt says family gatherings are also an opportunity to talk with extended family members about budgets for holiday gift-giving. Discussion about dollar amounts for gifts can prevent financial stress and misunderstandings, he says.
Turkey tips: Buying and thawing
BUTLER, Mo. – Don’t get stuck with a turkey that’s too small for the feast or one that’s still frozen solid on Thanksgiving morning. Buying the right size turkey and planning for defrost time can prevent Thanksgiving Day disasters. “If you want to have leftovers after Thanksgiving, make sure you buy 1 pound of whole turkey per person,” said Tammy Roberts, nutrition specialist for University of Missouri Extension.
Missouri 4-H youths fall into fashion
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H State Fashion Revue, Oct. 14 on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia, drew 61 youth participants representing 25 counties across the state.Workshops were hosted by MU’s Textile and Apparel Management students and Collegiate 4-H members, said Megan Kershner, MU Extension 4-H clubs manager and awards coordinator.
State 4-H public speaking contest allows youths to shine
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Youths from across the state took part in one of Missouri 4-H’s oldest and most popular competitions, the 4-H State Public Speaking Contest. Held on the University of Missouri campus in September, the event drew 45 youths from 27 counties.
Safe travels for holiday food gifts
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Many people want the gifts they send to be a surprise, but if you’re sending perishable food this holiday season, it’s better to spoil the surprise than risk spoiling the gift.
Missouri 4-H dairy judging team finishes 2nd
The Missouri 4-H dairy judging team finished second overall at the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest, held in October at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin.Competing in a field of 20, the team had its best finish in more than 100 years and qualified for international competition, said University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development specialist Karla Deaver, who coaches the team with retired MU Extension dairy…
MU climatologist talks about drought impact on 2024 crops
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The annual University of Missouri Crop Management Conference, Dec. 6-7, will offer insight into how the 2023 drought will affect crops in the year ahead.MU Extension state climatologist Zack Leasor will give an update on weather and climate conditions that led to the onset and persistence of the 2023 drought across Missouri.
Unlocking the mystery of Missouri farmland values
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Buyers paid more for Missouri farmland in 2023, according to the annual Missouri Farmland Values Opinion Survey from University of Missouri Extension.
Veteran and urban groups team up to grow produce and peace of mind
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension, the Missouri Institute for Defense and Energy at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Veterans Community Project are working on a problem shared by deployed military personnel and urban residents: access to fresh food.
SW MO Show-Me-Select™ Replacement Heifer Program Sale
The Missouri Show-Me-Select (SMS) Replacement Heifer Program educates cattle producers on heifer development strategies in the areas of management, reproduction, and genetics to create a reliable source of quality replacement heifers. On November 17th at 7:00 p.m.
Pick Up Your Redbook
Recordkeeping is important to make management decisions for optimum cattle operation productivity and profitability. Therefore, cattle producers should consider purchasing the 2024 shirt pocket size record book called the “Redbook” to aid in their record keeping practices. These books are available at your local MU Extension Center for $7 per book.
New support for farm and food businesses in local, regional markets
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension is one of 14 partners to organize the new Heartland Regional Food Business Center serving Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas.
Heroes to Hives to expand in 2024
COLUMBIA, Mo. – In 2024, University of Missouri Extension will add a fourth site for Heroes to Hives, a free program that offers military veterans professional training and community development skills centered around beekeeping. The fourth site will be in the St. Louis area, which has a large veteran population. Existing sites are in Warrensburg, Mount Vernon and Poplar Bluff. More than 250 Missouri veterans have participated in the…
MU Extension ag enterprise budgets updated for producers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension crop and livestock enterprise budgets for Missouri producers have been updated at http://muext.us/MissouriAgBudgets.
“Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbors” Announced as Part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week Awards
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Twelve Missourians have been chosen for statewide recognition as “Missouri’s Most Engaged Neighbor” for 2023 as part of the planned activities for Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 to Oct. 4). Sixty-two people were nominated for recognition as one of Missouri's most engaged neighbors. Each of them received an acknowledgment letter and gift by mail.
Best Acts of Neighboring Announced from Missouri Good Neighbor Week 2023
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Second Annual Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 to Oct. 4) was a documented success. Organizers had a goal to document 15,000 acts of neighboring. But instead, Missourians reported 19,752 acts of neighboring during the week.
Partnership helps southern Missouri landowner stave off feral hogs
SALEM, Mo. – If anything is worse than a pasture rooted up by feral hogs, it’s a pasture that dries and hardens after hogs leave damaged areas the size of tractor tires.Freddie Leroux’s damaged pastures need to be repaired and reseeded. He waits for soaking rains to soften the ground so he can smooth out ruts.
Barry County named MU Extension County Council of Year
CASSVILLE, Mo. – Hunger and lack of reliable access to fresh food are big challenges for families in Barry County in southwestern Missouri. The community ranked these issues at the top of a needs assessment by the University of Missouri Extension Council in Barry County. Those results spurred the council to develop the Barry County Community Garden Project in Cassville, a community-wide plan to improve food access and support the…
Missouri Community LAB: A hub for creating strong, whole communities
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Missouri is stronger when its communities are vibrant and healthy, but people can struggle to find information and programs designed to help build those vibrant communities, says Claire Rippel, University of Missouri Extension community development education director.
Top ag experts to speak at MU Crop Management Conference
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Leading agriculture experts from the University of Missouri, Purdue University, USDA Agricultural Research Service and the University of Nebraska will give updates on weeds, crop diseases, insects and new technologies at the annual MU Crop Management Conference, Dec. 6-7 at the Columbia Holiday Inn Executive Center.
Elderberry business grows with help from MU Extension’s Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – After dealing with Crohn’s disease for 15 years, Emilia Rizzuto learned about the health benefits of elderberries. When she found out that Missouri grows a lot of elderberries, she developed an elderberry syrup that led to founding her business, All Things Elderberry.
Veterans find peace, skills and income with Heroes to Hives
WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Few things bring calm to Larry Soles more than opening a hive and hearing the hum of the bees. Soles is one of a growing group of military veterans who take part in Heroes to Hives, a free program of University of Missouri Extension. The program seeks to address financial and personal wellness of veterans through professional training and community development centered around beekeeping.
Preparing sheep and goats for fall breeding
OSCEOLA, Mo. – Fall is the natural mating season for sheep and goats, and University of Missouri Extension has a new publication for producers on Breeding Season Considerations for Sheep and Goats.MU Extension small-ruminant specialist David Brown said peak fertility for sheep and goats is late September through November, but some breeds will cycle in the spring and have lambs/kids in the fall.
New weather station benefits ag, aviation and public safety
GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. – Aviation, agriculture and public safety got a boost recently when a new weather station went online at East Kansas City Airport in Jackson County.