Disaster-readiness resources from MU Extension
University of Missouri Extension has resources to help you and your family prepare for and recover from disasters.
Be prepared for flooded roads
BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.– Flooding is a potential threat in many parts of Missouri. And even if your house is not in a flood plain, you may drive through one on your way home.
Before the flood: Prepare household items for long-term storage
TRENTON, Mo.- As people brace for floodwaters and the damage they might cause, it's important to know how to properly prepare household items for long-term storage, said a University of Missouri Extension housing and environmental design specialist.
First aid for leaky basements
COLUMBIA, Mo. – If your basement sprung a leak during recent intense rainfalls, you’re not alone.
Property loss from disasters may be tax deductible
Related video: Coping with disaster, youtube.com/watch?v=q6_ugKGvd_MCOLUMBIA, Mo. – Disaster victims may recoup some of their uninsured losses from natural disasters, said former University of Missouri Extension consumer and family economics specialist Brenda Procter. Uncompensated property losses in presidentially declared disaster areas are tax deductible.
Use shock chlorination to disinfect contaminated wells
BLOOMFIELD, Mo. – Heavy rains and rising rivers may flood wells. “Wells could be contaminated with bacteria, viruses or parasites that can make you ill,” said Van Ayers, a former University of Missouri Extension agriculture and rural development specialist.Water from a flooded well should not be used for drinking or food preparation until the well and plumbing system have been disinfected and the water has been tested for safety.
Snakes on a flood plain
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Floods and severe storms can leave more than just people homeless. Displaced snakes, rodents and other nuisance wildlife often will seek shelter and food in areas close to people, said Bob Pierce, MU Extension fisheries and wildlife specialist.
Taste feeds growing demand for beef, says MU economist
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Livestock owners increasing their herds must grow demand for meat. Current herd size expands meat supplies and domestic meat consumption to record levels.With more supply, expect lower prices, University of Missouri economist Scott Brown told the Womack Agricultural Outlook Conference in Columbia.But that didn’t happen as forecast in 2017.
Turner keeps it simple in large heifer replacement operation
HARTVILLE, Mo. – Denis Turner keeps his southwestern Missouri heifer replacement operation simple.For the most part, it is one man for 500-1,000 heifers at Turner’s Heifer Haven, a pasture-based operation where Turner raises heifers for others.“Make sure every task can be carried out by one person,” Turner says. “Two-man jobs are accomplished on time only about half of the time.”
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.