Extension ⋅ Page 1

A Natural Fit

Linn County Extension moves into facility at Cornett Farm

MU Extension Field Specialist Valerie Tate sat at her desk near Linneus as her co-worker popped in. “Oh, hey, do you mind if I put these insect traps up around the farm as part of the statewide MU IPM pest monitoring network?” Tate asked. When she asked this question, Tate was already on “the farm.” Tate works out of the…

Q&A with Alan Spell

Alan is an assistant extension professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences. 

What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I’m an assistant extension professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences where I specialize in economic development research. Economic development is a broad topic but basically involves industry and workforce analysis and occasional contract work. I’m part of the MU Extension Exceed team and every few…

Heroes to Hives and other MU Extension programs help veterans

Workshops help veterans make the transition from military to civilian life

Beginning farmer and 25-year Army veteran Eric Work’s calendar is full of educational programs offered by University of Missouri Extension. “MU Extension programs are a godsend,” Work says. “I benefit from the amazing, high-quality learning opportunities that University of Missouri Extension continually provides, not only to veterans but many other diverse groups that are interested in learning and potentially pursuing…

More Missouri Farmers Growing Peanuts

Harvest underway in Bootheel region

This is peanut harvest time in the Missouri Bootheel. Interest in the versatile legume has grown among Bootheel farmers since 2018, says University of Missouri Extension soils and cropping systems specialist Justin Calhoun. Calhoun estimates there may be more than 15,000 acres of peanuts in the Bootheel region. Some of this new interest comes from the formation of the Missouri…

CAFNR Welcomes New Faculty

Our college introduces four new faculty members for Spring 2022

As we begin the spring semester, we are excited to welcome the new faculty members in our college who have joined us. The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri is proud to introduce four new faculty members this spring who are ready to advance our core missions of research, teaching and Extension. They each…

Cotton Specialist Joins the Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center

Bradley Wilson joins as an assistant research professor 

Bradley Wilson joined CAFNR as an assistant research professor at the Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center (FD-REEC) on Jan. 2.  In this role, he will focus on developing, funding and conducting field experiments that improve cotton production practices in southeast Missouri. “We are so glad to welcome Bradley to the Fisher Delta Research, Extension and Education Center,” said Shibu…

A Commitment to Those in Need

Jerry Hitzhusen is a national and international advocate for individuals with disabilities

Editor’s Note: Jerry Hitzhusen passed away in January 2022. As Jerry Hitzhusen worked on his family’s farm growing up, he would oftentimes walk through the cornfields and wonder what lay beyond the borders of his northern Iowa home. Hitzhusen ended up spending his entire career not only travelling well past those borders – he also supported those in need the…

Q&A with Brenda Schreck

Schreck is a county engagement specialist in livestock with the Agriculture and Environment Extension Program

What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? My focus is consulting with elevator firms to maintain compliance with USDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) guidelines for animal feed. I also work with area producers enrolled in the Show-Me-Select (SMS) Replacement Heifer Program and Northeast Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Association (NEMO BCIA) Performance Tested Bull Program. I also educate youth on animal health…

Q&A with Jim Humphrey

Humphrey is a field specialist in livestock with the Agriculture and Environment Extension Program 

What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri?  I work with forage and livestock producers in northwest Missouri. With my position, I present unbiased research-based information, while developing timely and relevant programs and resources for their use.  I provide expertise for the following areas: carcass evaluation, co-product utilization, ration balancing, cattle feeding phase, beef production, forage quality and production,…

Q&A with Corinne Bromfield

Bromfield is an assistant professor of swine production medicine with the Agriculture and Environment Extension Program

What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri?    My role is a split appointment between the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and University of Missouri Extension as well as the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM).   This position is a really great spot to be in. I’m training the next class of veterinarians to understand swine…