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Missouri youths lead the way at 4-H Day at the Capitol
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – On March 26, almost 900 Missouri 4-H members, staff, volunteers and parents gathered in Jefferson City for 4-H Day at the Capitol, a day of civic engagement, leadership and advocacy.
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The 'soy of gardening' includes edamame
COLUMBIA, Mo. – You may have seen edamame in grocery stores or on salad bars and not known what it is, says Todd Higgins, University of Missouri Extension specialist in horticulture. Edamame is a type of soybean grown for direct consumption by people. Edamame (pronounced eh-duh-mah-may) translates from Japanese as “beans on a branch” since they are often sold with the pod still attached to the stem.
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Easter lilies toxic to cats
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A favorite spring flower, the Easter lily, should be kept away from cats. If ingested, it could kill them. The perennial plant’s white, trumpet-like flowers might not sound the warning that all parts of it are highly toxic to felines.
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MFA Volunteer Fire Grants help firefighters save lives, protect communities
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Since 2020, the MFA Incorporated Charitable Foundation has teamed with University of Missouri Extension’s Fire and Rescue Training Institute to award MFA Volunteer Fire Grants to train and equip rural fire departments throughout the state.
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New resources help small businesses leverage social media
COLUMBIA, Mo.—Social media has changed how consumers connect with brands, but small business owners may find it a challenge to use social media to grow their business, says TaylorAnn Washburn of University of Missouri Extension. Two new MU Extension publications, which are available for free download, help business owners take on social media with a focused approach, Washburn said.
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Economics of drone ownership for agricultural spraying
COLUMBIA, Mo. – As the 2025 growing season approaches, many growers will consider using drones to spray their fields. A new University of Missouri Extension publication, “Economics of Drone Ownership for Agricultural Spray Applications,” introduces cost-estimating tools for farmers and custom operators interested in investing in drones for spray applications.
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MU Extension, Extension Foundation launch national group to support veterans
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension, in collaboration with the Extension Foundation, has launched a new Connect Extension subgroup, “Extension for Veterans: Honoring Service, Providing Support.” This initiative is designed to support extension professionals who work with or are interested in engaging veterans, serving as a national hub for sharing resources, best practices, and innovative programs.
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MU Extension guide looks at corn leafhopper
COLUMBIA, Mo. – A new University of Missouri Extension publication offers corn growers help in identifying Missouri’s newest corn pest, the corn leafhopper. MU Extension state crops and forage entomologist Ivair Valmorbida says “Biology and Management of Corn Leafhopper” offers insights on corn stunt disease and strategies to manage this new pest.
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4-H Clover Clays Charity Shoot raises $19K for youth programs
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The third annual Missouri 4-H Clover Clays Charity Shoot raised more than $19,000 to support the Missouri 4-H Foundation. The March 16 event at the Prairie Grove Shooting Sports Complex in Columbia drew teams and sponsors from across the state for a day of competition, camaraderie and philanthropy.
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Child care gaps cost Missouri $869 million annually, MU Extension research finds
ST. LOUIS — Analysis from University of Missouri Extension reveals that Missouri loses an estimated $869 million annually due to child care shortages. This includes $723 million in employer costs from absentee workers and turnover along with $146 million in tax revenue that would otherwise be collected to support state and local economies.
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Plan for drought by choosing the right forage plan
TUSCUMBIA, Mo. – Now is the time for forage growers to plan for drought, says Rudra Baral, University of Missouri Extension field specialist in agronomy.
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Early control needed for poison hemlock
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Poison hemlock, a plant that can kill livestock, is one of the first weeds to appear in Missouri pastures, says Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri Extension weed scientist. It also can cause birth defects in the offspring of pregnant livestock, especially when eaten in its earlier growth stage by animals in their first trimester of pregnancy, says MU Extension veterinary toxicologist Tim Evans.
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Expert tips to tackle cyberbullying and protect yourself online
“One of the many reasons people may not want to connect online or use online applications is cyberbullying,” notes Joe Lear, a consultant for the University of Missouri Broadband Initiative. “Cyberbullying can have long-term consequences for the mental health of both youth and adults.
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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.
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March is the time to plant hardy, heady, healthy cabbage and kale
COLUMBIA, Mo. – March is the ideal month to plant two of the hardiest and most nutritious vegetables a home gardener can grow easily: cabbage and kale, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. Both are attractive in the garden, with colors ranging from pale green through dark blue to deep reddish purple. Flavors range from mild to strong, and both lend themselves to dishes both raw and cooked.
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Pre-breeding exams for replacement heifer selection
WEST PLAINS, Mo. – For cow-calf producers, it is ideal to have one healthy calf on the ground per cow per year. Producers should also strive to have cows that are productive in the herd for many years. On average, a cow must stay in the herd for six years for the producer to break even on that cow’s initial investment along with yearly maintenance costs.
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5 tips to protect your pet from household hazards
COLUMBIA, Mo. – National Pet Poison Prevention Month in March is a good time to review how household items can endanger pets, says University of Missouri Extension veterinary toxicologist Tim Evans. Evans lists a few things to check in your home: 1. Safely store all household items that could be a danger to your pet. Pay particular attention to bedside or tableside medications that could cause serious injury or death to your pet.
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Kick-start the gardening season by turning it inside out
COLUMBIA, Mo. – It is hard to think about gardening when the weather is cool. “However, now is the perfect time to start seeds of certain garden plants indoors so they will be ready for transplant when warmer weather arrives,” said University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist David Trinklein. By kick-starting the growing season, you will have flowers and produce earlier, said Trinklein.
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MU Extension holds short-term operating plan workshops
WARSAW, Mo. – If key decision-makers on a farm are unable to make decisions for a short time (two weeks to six months), how well would their farm operations continue? Starting March 27, University of Missouri Extension will host “On My Own: Planning for the Unplanned” workshops on short-term operating plans to help landowners and farm operators make sound decisions when preparing for the unexpected.
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Spring cleaning for the mind, body and spirit
UNION, Mo. – Spring can be a great time to hit reset in multiple facets of life. Many think about cleaning up a messy space in their home or refreshing their natural spaces. Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home but also can be for your mind, body and spirit. • Create a list of short- and long-term goals and prioritize them.
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4-H'ers shine at State Horse Judging Contest
FULTON, Mo. – The University of Missouri Extension State 4-H Horse Judging Contest on March 1 drew 88 4-H members from across the state to William Woods University in Fulton. The event provided youths and their coaches the opportunity to tour the university’s facilities and learn more about its equine program from faculty and staff, said Kelsey Fuller, MU Extension state 4-H agriculture educator. Top 10 competitors, ages 8-10
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Use sacrifice pastures now to spare best pastures for later
STOCKTON, Mo. – “Cattle producers welcome the rain, but it leads to muddy pastures and proper management is needed for optimum grazing the rest of the year,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Davis feels sacrifice pastures may be needed to help in promoting forage production for the rest of the grazing season.
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Add magnesium to prevent grass tetany in cattle
STOCKTON, Mo. – “As spring and lush grass growth arrives cattle producers need to plan for prevention of grass tetany,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist. Grass tetany arises from a cattle mineral imbalance, so Davis suggests cattle producers use management strategies discussed below to reduce the incidence in their cattle operations.
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Women in livestock webinar series starts March 25
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension’s Pearls of Production committee is hosting five online sessions for women livestock producers across the state over the next few months. Although the content is created for women producers, all producers are welcome to attend. The first “Pixels for Production” session is 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, and focuses on small ruminants like goats and sheep.
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Harvest all season long with succession sowing
ST. LOUIS – With a little bit of planning, gardeners can enjoy small amounts of fresh produce throughout the season by succession sowing, says University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist Eliza Pessereau. Succession sowing, sometimes called relay planting, means planting seeds of a particular crop at regular intervals so that the plants mature at different times.