Free workshop on filling worker vacancies on the farm
LANCASTER, Mo. – There will be a free workshop on farm labor challenges 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, at Happy Hollow Farm in Jamestown. The workshop is hosted by Missouri Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, Lincoln University and University of Missouri Extension.
Making sense of smart agriculture: Why trusted guidance matters
For Missouri farmers navigating the challenges and opportunities of rapid technological change, MU Extension offers unbiased, research-based guidance to help producers cut through the noise and make smart, practical decisions.
MU Extension offers produce safety training in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will offer an in-person Produce Safety Alliance Grower training on April 1 at the St. Louis Metro MU Extension center.
Specialty crop producers should consider risk management options
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As specialty crop producers plan for the 2026 growing season, University of Missouri Extension reminds growers that federal crop insurance application deadlines for the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and Micro Farm programs are approaching, and planning now can be critical to managing risk throughout the year.
Ag technology takes to the skies in March 14 training
BUFFALO, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension faculty will offer a daylong training on using drones in agriculture and other commercial applications on March 14 in Buffalo. The event offers discussion and hands-on training about how to use drones in Missouri agriculture, says Caleb O’Neal, MU Extension field specialist in plant science and lead instructor for the course.
Learn to sell at farmers markets in March
MU Extension professionals and representatives from the Missouri Department of Agriculture will teach a five-part online series on “Selling at the Farmers Market” March 9-13 from noon to 1 p.m.
Watermelon grower finds sweet spot in NE Missouri
Florida watermelon grower Bob Stewart is finding northeastern Missouri ripe for growing what Monroe County-born author Mark Twain called the “food of angels.” Stewart, owner of GID Farms of Immokalee, Florida, grew 6 million pounds of watermelon on 150 rented acres near Monroe City this past season. The location offers new challenges and opportunities to expand Stewart’s 20-year-old business.
Is trouble brewing in your garden?
Do spent grounds from your morning cup of joe help your plants grow? There is much on social media about benefit of using spent coffee grounds to boost plant growth, but research is unclear about the benefits. In fact, they can sometimes harm plants.
Be vigilant for spotted lanternfly in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri residents are urged to be on the lookout for spotted lanternfly (SLF), an insect that could have devastating effects on the state’s $4.2 billion wine and grape industry. SLF can damage fruits including grapes, as well as ornamentals and urban landscapes.
The plot fixer
From county to county, MU Extension specialists such as Justin Keay carry the university’s promise into fields and families, planting knowledge that lasts.
Don't plant seeds you didn't order
Do not plant unsolicited seeds. They may carry pests, diseases, or invasive species. Report or safely return unknown seeds.
New resources help small businesses leverage social media
Free downloadable guides help small business owners build strategy, create content, choose platforms and drive results through social media.
Extension horticulturist named Conservationist of the Year
Todd Higgins was honored as 2025 Conservationist of the Year for promoting soil health and conservation practices across northwest Missouri.
Are insects the future of food?
Insects are a sustainable, nutritious food source gaining attention. Learn about their benefits, the role they could play in the future of food, and more.
Missouri has become a peanut powerhouse
PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. – Missouri farmers may have grown the peanuts that you enjoy in holiday candies like peanut brittle or peanut clusters. In 2020, the USDA named Missouri a primary peanut-producing state, a designation for states averaging more than 10,000 tons of peanut production annually over three years, says Justin Calhoun, University of Missouri Extension soil and cropping systems specialist.
Early grape harvest in Missouri in 2024: low yield but high quality
Missouri’s 2024 grape harvest is early with lower yields but high-quality fruit for a promising vintage.
FDA finalizes the preharvest water rule: What does it mean for produce growers?
Understand how the new FDA preharvest water rule shifts compliance steps and deadlines for produce growers.
Missouri growers are sweet on honey of a berry
Honeyberry, a hardy shrub thriving in Missouri's diverse soils, offers early spring fruit with antioxidant-rich berries resembling a blend of raspberry and blackberry.
The woods: Missouri's other place to shop for food
Discover Missouri’s woods for wild fruits, nuts, and edible plants that add flavor and nutrition to your meals.
'Don't bag it' approach can make lawn mowing easier
COLUMBIA, Mo. - You can save yourself some yardwork this year and do your lawn a favor by not bagging those grass clippings you mow, said a University of Missouri Extension turf scientist. "Grass clippings do not have to be removed to have a healthy, vigorous lawn," said Brad Fresenburg. "With a few simple steps, you can have a beautiful lawn without collecting your grass clippings."
Growing sweet peppers
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The colorful sweet pepper is the Christmas ornament of the vegetable garden, bearing fruit that ranges from red, orange, yellow and white to purple and chocolate black. Growing A member of the nightshade family, the sweet pepper is a relative of potato and tomato. Like its cousins, it is easy to establish if started using plants rather than seeds. It can’t tolerate cool weather, so wait until the danger of frost has…