Extension

A man in an orange hat leans over a garden in a greenhouse.

June 28, 2023

Missouri Agriculture, Food and Forestry Innovation Center Cultivates growth in Local Agribusinesses

Nearly one-third of Missouri's economy is tied to agriculture. Now, as part of a partnership that evolved from a statewide effort to help agricultural producers scale their businesses, the Missouri Agriculture, Food and Forestry Innovation Center (MAFFIC) has launched. The center draws on agricultural business development expertise at the University of Missouri and the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority (MASBDA).

A white man with dark hair and sungalsses wearing a bright yellow t-shirt sits next to a white woman with long, blonde hair and glasses wearing a grey polo shirt. The two examine pieces of grass laid out on a wooden table in front of them. The woman is holding one piece of grass

May 31, 2023

A Natural Fit

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 Linn County Extension Office, which moved into the administrative building at Cornett Farm — part of Mizzou’s Northern Missouri Research, Extension and Education Center (NM-REEC) — in March. The REEC is part of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural…

A group of nine people pose together for a photo holding pink bags.

May 26, 2023

Q&A with Mary Sobba

What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I am a field specialist in agricultural business based in Audrain County. There are many things to do every day, but the most important things are building and maintaining relationships with clients and co-workers. It is very important to help clients by answering questions and providing information that leads to better decisions and increased profits. My role is working with farmers, agribusinesses, stakeholders, councils and co-workers. My work is focused on a variety of farm management and ag business topics. Recently, the emphasis has been on farm leases…

Flooded field

April 28, 2023

Cover crops could reduce PPL acres in wet springs

A topic in farm policy circles is whether conservation practices can reduce PPL risk in extreme weather such as floods. Crop insurance is one of the farm bill’s largest expenditures. 2019 file photo of Holt County, Missouri, by Linda Geist. A newly released study shows that planting cover crops and reduced tillage could substantially lower the number of prevent plant (PPL) acres and subsequent federal crop insurance payments. Cover crops lower the number of PPL acres in wet springs, reducing the loss odds by 24%, according to the six-state study released in March, says Rob Myers, director of the University…

A man wearing a black and gold MU shirt stands in a row of crops.

April 26, 2023

Q&A with Justin Keay

What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? As a field specialist in horticulture, I work with specialty crop producers and home gardeners to help folks grow more produce while protecting our state’s natural resources. In my work with specialty crop producers, I help folks with fertility, pest, and irrigation management, as well as marketing and evaluating new crops and enterprises for their farms. I get to serve as a resource for growers in my region, helping to connect them with science-backed information that helps them make informed management decisions on their farms. With projects…

Sarah is posing for a photo in front of a tree in the woods.

March 20, 2023

Q&A with Sarah Kenyon

What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I am a field specialist in agronomy serving six counties in the southwest region. Based in West Plains, Missouri, I conduct educational programs for producers in forage production and management. I also participate with local farmer cooperators with on-farm demonstrations concerning grazing management, weed control and fertility management. How long have you worked in this position? I started in November 2009, so I have been in this role for over 13 years. What is your favorite part about the work you do? I enjoy working with farmers…

A woman stands outside next to her cattle operation. The sky is great and it looks windy.

March 17, 2023

Annie’s Project empowered Marion County farmer Amy Lehenbauer

Annie’s Project, a program offered by University of Missouri Extension for two decades, gave Amy Lehenbauer the confidence she needed to become active in the family farm. Lehenbauer is one of more than 19,000 women across the nation who completed the program during the past 20 years, says MU Extension agriculture business specialist Karisha Devlin. The program celebrates two decades of helping women in agriculture gain skills in leadership, business and estate planning, self-defense and self-care. “Annie’s Project educates and empowers women in agriculture and encourages them in whatever role they choose to have in their farming operations,” says Devlin.

Ray stands in front of a green field presenting a poster to field day guests.

Feb. 20, 2023

Q&A with Ray Massey

What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I am an extension economist in the Division of Applied Social Sciences. My primary responsibilities revolve around crop production economics. I tend to focus on the intersection of production and the environment. So, I have done research and education on manure value, biosecurity, managing under extreme weather events and insurance decisions. I am fortunate to be able to work with faculty from other departments to create programs that meet the needs of Missouri farmers and businesses. Some programs that I have contributed. These programs…

Nick and his girlfriend pose for a photo. His girlfriend holds up some fish that she caught.

Jan. 19, 2023

Q&A with Nick Wesslak

Nick collects field spore trap samples. What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I am an agronomy field specialist based in Marion County. I cover the eight northeast counties of Missouri. How long have you worked in this position? I have worked in this position since April 2022. Nick scouts field crops with graduate student Mellanie Carraher. What is your favorite part about the work you do? It is hard for me to pick one favorite part, so I will list a few. I thoroughly enjoy working with my Extension team. It is very…

Shawn poses for a portrait at the Graves-Chapple 2022 field day.

Dec. 7, 2022

Q&A with Shawn Deering

Shawn is a field specialist in livestock based in Gentry county.