Publications and projects

Marketing Maple Syrup in Missouri guide (DM3036)

This publication highlights findings from a recent MU Extension study exploring maple syrup production in the lower Midwest, including interviews with Missouri producers and best practices for marketing products.

Missouri Maple Syrup: Hobby to Sales (DM3037)

This guide is structured to help maple sugaring hobbyists navigate the process of growing their operation beyond a hobby and into a revenue-generating endeavor. It includes information on how to identify capacity and select trees to tap; technology and processing best practices; and tips from active producers on steps taken to break even and begin generating revenue.

Building a stronger workforce for Missouri’s food, ag and forestry employers

MU Extension and the Missouri Agricultural Foundation conducted a workforce needs assessment to understand potential challenges within Missouri’s food, agriculture, and forestry industry. The assessment evaluated worker demand in four industries — agricultural producers, agricultural inputs and services, food and related products manufacturing and forestry products manufacturing.

The importance of off-farm income to the agricultural economy

CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange division partnered with Exceed to analyze the role of off-farm jobs in supporting our agricultural producers and rural communities. The report highlights the growing interdependence of rural and urban economies over the past several decades and demonstrates how critical off-farm jobs are to the income of farming households.

Meet the experts