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Freezing offers milk lovers an option for stocking up
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Freezing offers milk drinkers a way to keep nutritious milk on hand at all times, says University of Missouri Extension dairy specialist Reagan Bluel. She works with producers in the heart of southwestern Missouri dairy land.
Try some edgy veggies for a groovy garden this year
Add unique veggies to your garden this year to spice up salads and try new flavors and textures.
Connecting and protecting Knox County
Helping Knox County stay connected and safe through community support, resources, and public health guidance during challenging times.
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Go wild at nature's free salad bar
Discover the art of wildcrafting and enrich your diet with Missouri's edible spring greens like dandelions, lambsquarters, and watercress.
10 tips for communicating with employees during a crisis
These suggestions are provided to assist you, but in sharing them, we recognize that each business and situation is unique. We encourage you to consider each principle and apply as you believe best fits your business situation and your relationship with your employees. 1. Communicate even more during a crisis
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ShowMeResilience in Madison County: 'No need for anyone to go hungry'
Madison County community members unite to ensure no one goes hungry, sharing food, volunteers, and support locally.
Show Me Resilience
Missourians unite to overcome challenges, accessing resources, online programs, and support during difficult times.
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Pansy: A flower for all seasons
Pansies bloom in spring and fall, adding vibrant color and charm to gardens across the seasons.
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Duane Dailey: 1935-2020
Several years before his death on March 10, 2020, Duane Dailey drafted his own obituary. We present it here with only minor updates.Fred “Duane” Dailey, 84, will meet his final deadline as a longtime agricultural journalist. He was a University of Missouri Extension educator who had taught through the news media.
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Betty Hertzog Memorial 4-H Endowment sends Missouri youths to State 4-H Congress
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Future generations will have the opportunity to attend State 4-H Congress thanks to the generosity of Robert E. “Bud” Hertzog and his late wife, Betty Hertzog, who passed away Oct. 14, 2019.
Donors help launch Barton County 4-H endowment fund
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation, in partnership with the Barton County 4-H Council, has established the Barton County 4-H Endowment Fund thanks to generous contributions by the Hugh and Fran Nutt family and Don Lucietta. The fund will be used to provide sustainable support for the Barton County 4-H program in perpetuity.
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Outreach, innovation at UM Science Center Day
University of Missouri faculty, staff, and students showcased their work through engaging hands-on activities during UM Science Center Day in St. Louis.
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Dr. Bug answers questions you're itching to ask about mosquitoes
Get answers to curious questions about mosquitoes, larvae, and bug behavior for kids and families.
Hibby’s Sports Grille — West Plains, MO
While living in West Plains, Missouri in 2012, Mike Hibler noticed a need for a restaurant where he could enjoy good food and watch a sports game. On his way to work every day, he noticed an abandoned building that looked like a log cabin. He always imagined what he could turn the building into, and one day, he decided to pitch the idea to his wife, Stephanie, and his mother, Cheryl.
The three pricing strategies for small business owners
A question that frequently comes up in my counseling sessions is, “What can I charge for this?” After a few discussions and cost gathering, we arrive at a true cost. Honestly, there are only three pricing strategies a small business owner can use in any situation: everyday low price (EDLP); high price, high value; and market parity.
Who really are your customers?
When I was in the advertising business, I would always ask my clients, “Who are your customers?” “Everyone” was a common response. Even if I questioned further, I received the same response. I would finally start to talk about categories — like their most frequent customers or those who only came in at specific times of the year — and we would start to get a better picture.
Coupons still a solid small business sales strategy
Coupons are the most common sales promotional tool used by businesses. Their usage continues to grow each year, as they provide a way for the consumer to save money while offering the retailer a way to grow and retain sales. The coupon has consistently proven to be an effective business tool.
How to set your business apart from your competition
As I spend time with friends, I often hear them say, "There is no unique place to go shop these days. They all have the same stuff." To which I reply: "Why do you shop where you do?" This at times leads to an interesting dinner conversation. But it always reminds me that many business owners may not know how to set themselves apart from the competition at little or no cost.
Small business succession planning means success in small towns
Many small rural towns in Missouri have a large population of aging baby boomers. They are retiring at the rate of 10,000 per day or over 4 million annually, according to the Washington Post. But what are they doing with their business assets when they retire?
Where did my cash go?
That's a question many small business owners ask themselves way too often. In other articles, I have written about balance sheets and income statements as financial tools to help entrepreneurs manage their businesses. But what if that entrepreneur could predict how much cash would be coming into and going out of the business on a monthly basis? Or better yet, be able to look months down the road and have an idea of the intake and…
New research identifies behavioral health crisis in agriculture
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Amid mounting pressures — floods, bankruptcies, consolidation and a credit squeeze — rural Missourians struggle to access mental health services. Mental health challenges are a growing public health concern in rural Missouri, according to a new report from the Missouri Hospital Association, Missouri Department of Mental Health, Missouri Coalition for Community Behavioral Healthcare, Missouri Farm Bureau and University…
The calla lily image way of marketing
Many small businesses advertise because they know they should. Only a few put any planning into the ads beyond what they want to say. This lack of planning causes the business owner to miss out on some of the best advantages of advertising.
Business planning 101
Developing a business plan is hard work and at times a daunting task for business owners. However, business planning can help move any company or small business forward. "Why write a business plan?" you may ask. There are many reasons why writing a business plan is essential to any owner.
The secret to a successful business plan
As a current or future small business owner, you will experience the opportunity to write a business plan. It is not an evil invention of the financial or business industry full of hoops to jump through in order to delay your dreams. It is a tool to help you evaluate your idea’s potential before you talk to the bank or share it with other potential partners.
Branding your local business
As we think of a company, what do we remember about it? The logo, the slogan, the price or the experience we have with the store or product? For most shoppers, it is the experience they have that they remember the most and for the longest, particularly if it was helpful in solving a need or involved a pleasant impulse purchase.