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Farm, Family & Me conference May 14 in Novelty to provide opportunities for women in agriculture

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NOVELTY, Mo. — The University of Missouri Extension will host regional Farm, Family & Me conferences to provide educational and networking opportunities to women in agriculture. “This year, we want to offer women the opportunity to get together in smaller groups with the convenience of a one-day event,” Karisha Devlin, MU Extension agricultural specialist, said […]

MU Extension educators aid efforts to root out feral swine

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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Having grown up on a farm in the foothills of the Missouri Ozarks, Jerry Richards was prepared for droughts, snowstorms and torrential rains. He wasn’t prepared for feral hogs.  Richards, a retired high school teacher, has a cow/calf operation on the same 500-acre Century Farm where he was raised. He’d heard feral […]

Adding value to farm commodities can ease supply chain strain

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – For two years, shoppers have seen how supply chain problems can shock the food system. Initially triggered by the pandemic, these problems have persisted due to labor shortages, transportation bottlenecks and now international conflict. “Supply chain issues have really hit home for consumers,” said Mallory Rahe, University of Missouri Extension agricultural business […]

Of blue jays and pin oaks: How jays have shaped our oak forests around the world

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MACOMB, Ill. — We often spend more time inside looking outside during the Illinois winter. Perhaps one of the most popular activities for many of us is watching the birds. Gazing across my backyard this past winter, I learned something fascinating about the relationship between blue jays and oak trees.  My journey of observation began […]

Free DIY lawn care class set for April 6

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BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — You can have a thriving lawn without hiring an expensive service. “Managing your lawn doesn’t have to be complicated,” University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Justin Keay said. “If you understand some of the basic principles and don’t mind putting in a little sweat equity, you can have a beautiful lawn.” A […]

Sunflowers can make a great addition to any garden

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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Sunflowers are a great addition to the home garden. Not only do they provide colorful flowers, but they also can be a potential food source for people and wildlife. With various shapes, sizes, and bloom colors, sunflowers are an easy plant to incorporate into your landscape.  Despite typically being grown as ornamental […]

Orr Multipurpose Agriculture Facility in final stages of fundraising, construction

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PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The John Wood Community College Board of Trustees heard a report on the Orr Multipurpose Agriculture Facility and the Workforce Development Center Expansion Project during a meeting Wednesday at the Southeast Education Center. The Orr Multipurpose Agriculture Facility is in the final stages of fundraising and construction and will open for classes […]

Bells of Ireland: A St. Patrick’s Day favorite

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COLUMBIA, Mo. — St. Patrick’s Day is a time to celebrate Irish culture and everything green, including leprechauns and shamrocks. While shamrock is a well-known symbol of good luck, another interesting plant associated with good fortune is bells of Ireland, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund.  An annual in the mint family, bells […]

Four Monroe City youths place in 4-H state meats judging contest

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Forty-eight Missouri 4-H members competed Feb. 19 in the 4-H state meats judging contest on the University of Missouri campus in Columbia. Held in partnership with the MU Meat Science Program, the contest gave competitors the opportunity to develop their judging skills and explore career and educational opportunities. Results – Junior division […]

University of Illinois Extension adds natural resources, environment, energy educator to staff

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URBANA, Ill. – The University of Illinois Extension recently welcomed Amy Lefringhouse to serve as a natural resources, environment and energy educator in Adams, Brown, Hancock, Pike, and Schuyler counties in Western Illinois. County Director Shelby Crow says this position involves a partnership with John Wood Community College. “We are proud to serve local residents with expertise and education in specialized areas […]

Cow masks? Come on, let’s get real; bovine belches just part of life on the farm

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With much fanfare, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack held a media event at Lincoln University on Feb. 7 to unveil “Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities.” The new program will provide $1 billion to support America’s climate-smart farmers. When it comes to doling out big bucks very few critical words will be uttered by farm organizations. They get it: Don’t […]

MU Extension to lead Double Up Food Bucks in much of Missouri

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — More low-income families in Missouri and Kansas can double their buying power this year when purchasing fruits and vegetables. New USDA funding will allow the Mid-America Regional Council to expand the Double Up Food Bucks program in the two states from 80 to 140 locations. The program provides eligible consumers a […]

Baldfaced Hornet: Dangerous bug or beneficial insect?

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MACOMB, Ill. — Winter may be an odd time to read about an insect only seen during the warmer months. Yet, I can’t help but marvel at the architecture of the baldfaced hornet’s nest, which has been revealed in the canopy of trees after leaf drop.  This winter, I have seen several baldfaced hornet nests […]

Get new ideas for outdoor space at Gardener’s Palette on March 5 at Quincy Senior Center

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QUINCY — The 26th annual Gardener’s Palette all-day conference, offered by the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners, offers educational sessions for all levels of gardening interest and experience. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. March 5 at the Quincy Senior & Family Resource Center, 639 York. Check-in will begin at […]

Missouri 4-H Foundation recognizes Taylor family in Lewis County, Bross family in Marion County with 4-H Century Family Award

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri 4-H Foundation recently recognized eight families with the 2021 Missouri 4-H Century Family Award, and two of them are from northeast Missouri. The Taylor family of Lewis County and the Bross family of Marion County each represents a combined 100 years or more of membership and volunteer service within 4-H. […]

University of Missouri Extension releases schedule for Annie’s Project courses

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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Women in agriculture can improve their risk management skills and network with peers during Annie’s Project courses scheduled for spring 2022. Hosted by University of Missouri Extension, the Annie’s Project courses feature 18 hours of risk management education. “The courses focus on how to manage five types of farm risk – production, market, financial, […]

Houseplants for Valentine’s Day can still be romantic gifts that last longer

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Red roses have long been a hallmark of Valentine’s Day. But the beauty of fresh flowers is fleeting, while a houseplant can be a long-lasting expression of affection. Houseplants with heart-shaped leaves can be just the right gift for a special person, says University of Missouri Extension horticulturist Michele Warmund, who has […]

Four things to consider when deciding what vegetables to grow

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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — Garden and seed catalogs have been arriving for a while now. When flipping through catalogs, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the choices. Unfortunately, you probably don’t have room (or time) to grow everything you see, no matter how amazing it seems. So how should you go about choosing what vegetables […]

ADI / Timewell Drainage Products, Bryan Schullian to be honored at Quincy Chamber of Commerce First Bankers Trust Ag Banquet

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ADI/Timewell Drainage Products will be honored as the Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness of the Year and Bryan Schullian will be honored as the Larry Fischer Ag Educator of the Year at the First Bankers Trust Ag Banquet on March 8, 6 pm at Town and Country Inn & Suites.

MU Extension offers business webinars for specialty crop growers beginning Feb. 8

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COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension is offering a webinar series to help specialty crop growers improve their business skills. During the Specialty Crop Business Management Series, new and established farmers will learn how to make informed business decisions to become successful, says Juan Cabrera-Garcia, MU Extension state horticulture specialist. “Successful farmers have a better […]

With high fertilizer prices, are you better off buying fertilizer or supplemental hay?

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Increases in fertilizer prices add to the cost of growing forage for grazing. This leads farmers to ask if they should buy hay or fertilizer, says University of Missouri Extension nutrient management specialist John Lory. Comparing the benefits of buying hay vs. applying fertilizer for better yields is complicated, but it is […]

The pros and cons of popular vegetable garden mulches

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MACOMB, Ill. — When determining what mulch is best for your vegetable garden, you may encounter all manner of solutions online and suggestions from fellow gardeners. But what mulch works the best for growing big tasty veggies while keeping the weeds down?  Following are some of the most common mulches used in the vegetable garden […]

Carbon credits focus of MU Extension ‘Inspired by Annie’s Project’ free online course

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EDINA, Mo. – Women in agriculture can learn the latest about carbon credits and carbon sequestration during a free “Inspired by Annie’s Project” two-hour interactive online course set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 8 via Zoom. University of Missouri Extension agricultural economist Ray Massey will define agricultural carbon credits and answer questions about how to measure […]

‘Selling at the Farmers Market’ webinar series set for Feb. 7-11

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Producers selling local foods at farmers markets can learn about best practices, marketing tips, state regulations and available resources in a five-part webinar series presented in February by University of Missouri Extension. “This series will help farmers and other food producers gain knowledge to help them sell more of their food products at farmers […]

Get ‘nearly free’ fertilizer by frost seeding legumes

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – High nitrogen prices make especially important to consider frost seeding legumes this winter, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Craig Roberts. “2022 is different because fertilizer costs have tripled,” Roberts says. “Consider legumes as nearly free fertilizer.” (See the Farm Progress article “Seasonal Fertilizer Prices” at bit.ly/33h4YD5.) Frost seeding, a method […]

Be sure to take time during winter to manage houseplant pests

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JACKSONVILLE, Ill. — We don’t often think much about insect pests outside of the occasional pantry pest or accidental invader during the winter months. That doesn’t mean our plants won’t have insect problems. This is particularly true for houseplants, where insect pests often seem to arrive out of nowhere. Common houseplant pests Spider mites are […]

Quincy Chamber seeks nominations for Ag business and educator of the year

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Nominations due January 26 The Quincy Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the 2022 Agribusiness of the Year and Larry Fischer Ag Educator of the Year. Since 2000, the Chamber has given an Agribusiness of the Year Award to emphasize the importance of the agriculture industry on the stability of our local economy. […]

Plan to kill toxic perilla mint this spring or summer

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MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Eldon Cole said he received a report recently of cows in southwestern Missouri being killed by perilla mint, a toxic plant.  Cole urges producers to plan to destroy the annual plant in pastures next spring or summer. Broadleaf pasture herbicides, applied April through June before […]

MU Extension agronomist offers tips to offset high nitrogen prices

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GALENA, Mo. – If there was ever a time to do a soil test, this is it, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Tim Schnakenberg. Rising fertilizer prices make it too expensive to guess on how to apply nutrients, says Schnakenberg. Soil tests can prevent buying and applying fertilizer where not needed. See the MU […]

As temperatures drop, watch for fescue foot

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MOUNT VERNON, Mo. – When temperatures fall, beef producers should watch for signs of fescue foot in their beef herds. “As the cold weather moves in, you are likely to notice some cows or yearlings on fescue pastures may be slow-moving early in the day,” says University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist Eldon Cole. This […]

Inspiring hope, building experience, making a difference in 2022

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MACOMB, Ill. — “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”  This quote, which has likely made it onto posters in classrooms and by the coffee pot in the breakroom, is from philosopher William James.  A new year is often heralded with a renewed sense of hope. A restart! However, the older […]

Plant’s growth habit provides function and beauty

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MACOMB, Ill. — From a horticultural perspective, the term “habit” is not what you think. There are certainly bad habits in gardening, like not cleaning soil off tools or buying plants with no feasible location to plant them. When you hear a horticulturist say the term “habit,” what that person is referring to is the […]

New online Master Gardener training begins Jan. 19

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Gardening is an activity with many rewards, said David Trinklein, state horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension. “One of them is the satisfaction of sharing your plant knowledge with others. The Master Gardener program was initiated to do just that,” Trinklein said. Its motto, “helping others learn to grow,” emphasizes service […]

Reduce holiday stress with these tips

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – It’s the most wonderful time of the year, or so they say. Picture-perfect families with perfectly coiffed hair and pearly white smiles appear in matching holiday attire in countless holiday television commercials. Perfectly wrapped gifts wait under perfectly decorated trees. How merry and bright! And then there’s the rest of us, says […]

MU Extension offers free produce safety class for gardeners

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension will hold a free online class on produce safety for gardeners from 6-8 p.m. on Jan. 26. MU Extension horticulturists Patrick Byers and Justin Keay will offer tips on growing, harvesting, processing and storing produce safely. Participants will learn best practices to reduce the risk of foodborne illness from […]

Master Gardener program offers hybrid training

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URBANA, Ill. — For 46 years, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners have measured success by gardens planted, insects identified, produce harvested, and the millions of hours volunteers have logged by helping others learn to grow. From farms and small-town to suburbs and the inner city, more than 2,600 volunteers statewide put their mission of “helping others […]

Poinsettia: America’s No. 1 potted flower is relative newbie to holidays

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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Poinsettia is America’s most popular flowering plant, with annual sales approaching $200 million. Despite its close association with the Christmas season, however, it’s a relative newcomer as holiday home decor, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. In the early 1800s, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Joel R. Poinsett, learned of […]