Missouri’s array of soils and topography allows producers to grow an extensive list of vegetables, from leafy greens to cucurbits. Springfield farmer Curtis Millsap is one of many producers who benefit from the College of Agriculture’s Agriculture and Environment guidance on commercial horticulture. Since 2003 he and his wife, Sarah, have been working with MU Extension, particularly horticulture specialist Patrick…
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After the Deluge
More than a year after historic flooding, repairs still ongoing at MU Graves-Chapple Research Center and in NW Missouri
Historic flooding along the Missouri River in 2019 has left many still repairing damage this fall. Cold, snowy weather in early 2019 set the stage for significant flooding in northwestern Missouri as spring approached, said University of Missouri Extension state climatologist Pat Guinan. “The flooding got off to an early start in mid-March when an unusually strong and moisture-laden late…
Sarah Low Receives Provost’s Award for Creative Extension Programming by New Faculty
Sarah Low, associate professor of regional economics in the Division of Applied Social Sciences, received the 2020 Provost’s Award for Creative Extension Programming by New Faculty. This award recognizes faculty with a current (at least 25 percent) Extension appointment who have had exceptional extension or continuing education accomplishments in their first four years of their service to the University of…
Kevin Bradley Recognized as North Central Weed Science Society Fellow at Annual Meeting
Kevin Bradley, professor in the Division of Plant Sciences, was recognized as a North Central Weed Science Society Fellow at the 2020 NCWSS annual meeting. The virtual meeting was held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2. Selection as a Fellow is recognition of substantial contributions to weed science endeavors and service in the north central region of the United States.…
Mandy Bish Earns Distinguished Achievement Research Award
Mandy Bish, Extension specialist in the Division of Plant Sciences, was recognized at the 2020 North Central Weed Science Society annual meeting with a Distinguished Achievement Research award, which recognizes outstanding research achievements in weed science. The virtual meeting was held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2. Bish has been with the university since 2014 and is responsible for assisting with…
Serving a Community in Need
Pei Liu receives USDA-NIFA grant to help Hmong farmers with FSMA training
The 2000 United States Census showed less than 30 Hmong residents throughout the state of Missouri. A decade later, that number was estimated to be more than 1,300 – with southwest Missouri serving as a common location for those residents. Farming was and continues to be a popular occupation among the Hmong community in southwest Missouri, but there are challenges…
Serving the Animal Industry
David Patterson named American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Fellow
For nearly 25 years, David Patterson has helped Missouri cattlemen get the most out of their beef cattle operations. Patterson piloted the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program early in his University of Missouri career. The program has now enrolled more than 150,000 heifers on more than 900 farms – and contributes more than $3.5 million annually to the Missouri economy. Patterson,…
Cultivating Inclusivity
Gardening webinar leads to growth of Spanish-language resources
By population, the United States is the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Counting both bilingual and native speakers of Spanish, the U.S. has more people who can speak Spanish than Spain itself. How do MU Extension specialists make sure they serve Missourians who speak Spanish? “I first started doing a home gardening webinar…
Creating Inclusive Programming
MU plant diagnostic clinic helps Amish producers in Clark, Missouri
On Friday mornings at the Clark Produce Auction, University of Missouri Agriculture and Environment Extension agronomist Dhruba Dhakal sets up a table, plant posters and an MU Extension sign. MU Extension’s objective is to serve all Missourians with resources and research needed to improve lives, communities and the economy. When Dhakal noticed Amish producers in Clark could benefit from a…
Gardeners Make Community Impact
Greene County Master Gardeners donate fresh grown produce to local food pantries
Those who have planted gardens feel that they have “done something for the good of the whole world,” wrote American author Charles Dudley Warner in 1871. For Greene County Master Gardeners Maryfrances DiGirolamo and James Hilburn, gardening has become a way to give back to their community, doing “something for the good of the world.” They use their University of…