Extension

Mandy Bish in the field

Oct. 29, 2021

Q&A with Mandy Bish

Bish is a Weed Science Extension Specialist and Integrated Pest Management Coordinator with the Agriculture and Environment Extension Program.
Mallory at Mo State Fair

Oct. 22, 2021

Q&A with Mallory Rahe

Rahe is an agriculture business and policy education director.
Jerry Hitzhusen, an associate professor emeritus in the School of Natural Resources, is a national and international advocate for disabled athletes and was committed to recreation therapy for veterans and advocacy for minority aging populations. Hitzhusen was recently inducted into the Missouri Recreation and Parks Hall of Fame.

Oct. 18, 2021

A Commitment to Those in Need

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 whole way. Hitzhusen’s career spanned five decades, and his specialties in the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) focused on therapeutic recreation, leisure and mental illness, leisure and aging, and continuing education in therapeutic recreation.
Butterfly on flower.

Aug. 12, 2021

Science Night to Focus on Vegetables, Butterflies and Flowers

Science Night at Jefferson Farm and Garden will continue this month. The event will be held Thursday, Aug. 19, at 5:30 p.m.

July 20, 2021

Q&A with Sam Polly

During the pandemic, Polly made California and national news with his family’s giant produce. Polly says through this process he was able to encourage people in his previous community to start gardening and find a small piece of comfort in an unstable world. What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I work as the Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) Coordinator. This entails working with various Extension Specialists to build the pesticide safety program, along with updating our manuals and resources. I also represent the state of Missouri in the American Association of Pesticide Safety…
Pat presenting.

June 22, 2021

Q&A with Pat Miller

Miller is an Agronomy Field Specialist with Agriculture and Environment Extension Program.
Vegetables and tools

April 29, 2021

Increasing fruit and vegetable production

With lower initial investments and higher returns, fruit and vegetable production could play a big role in doubling the state’s agricultural economy by 2030, according to a study by University of Missouri researchers. “Compared to row crops, you don’t have to have as many acres of fruit and vegetables to generate a significant return,” said John Kruse, associate research professor in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. “A farmer we interviewed for a recent study produced 2 acres of specialty crops. The way he had his operation constructed, he was generating between $200,000 and $300,000 a year on…
University of Missouri Extension specialists and experts work to cultivate and promote an atmosphere of lifelong learning among Missourians. Those specialists and experts work with Missourians of all ages. Here, Eric Bailey, assistant professor in the Division of Animal Sciences and state beef Extension specialist, talks with farmers and producers during a field day at the Forage Systems Research Center, located in Linneus, Mo.. Photo taken pre-COVID.

April 1, 2021

Keeping Missourians Up to Speed

Lifelong learning. It’s an essential part of Agriculture and Environment Extension’s goal of doubling the value of Missouri agriculture by 2030 while sustaining the state’s natural resources. It’s a bold goal where lifelong learning meets real people. When Ron Brown was approached to check out the Missouri Master Gardener Extension Program, he thought the opportunity to expand his already extensive gardening knowledge would only help as he worked in his home garden and a community garden in Ferguson, Mo. Ron Brown has worked in gardens throughout his life. Halfway through his time in the Missouri Master Gardener Program, the director…
Variety of vegetables in a pile

March 11, 2021

MU Huerta Sostenible Familiar

MU Agriculture and Environment Extension specialists continue to produce materials with Spanish-speaking Missourians in mind. Huerta Sostenible Familiar: MU Sembrador, a weekly series of online vegetable gardening classes, begins March 17 at 6:30 p.m. All 13 classes will be taught in Spanish. “The webinar series will cover the basics in vegetable production, technical concepts to grow vegetables, safe food preparation and preservation tips, and so much more,” said Estrella Carmona, MU Extension county engagement specialist in nutrition and health. “We will also explain how growing vegetables can positively contribute to the well-being of their families and communities.” The series is…
Produce

Jan. 15, 2021

Producer Offers Advice to Beginning Farmers

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 Byers. “My MU Extension specialist has been a powerful link to knowledge and expertise that has helped me succeed,” Millsap said. “Before I had the internet, I had Patrick. I’d call Patrick and say, ‘Patrick, what is this thing?’ And…