U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Missouri Acting State Director D Clark Thomas announced the agency is investing $35,046,000 in critical infrastructure that will help rural Missouri communities build back better and stronger while prioritizing climate-smart solutions and environmental stewardship. USDA is making the investments under the Water and Environmental Program, the Rural Energy for […]
Tag: agricultural
Tori Guffey is Putnam County Career and Technical Student of the Month
The Putnam County R-1 School District recently recognized Tori Guffey as the Career and Technical Education Student of the Month for April 2021. Student winners are chosen by the vocational faculty based on a set of criteria that includes: attendance, grades, cooperation with fellow students and teachers, enthusiasm for subject(s), attitude both in the classroom […]
2021 Century Farm application deadline extended to June 1
In recognition of the Missouri Bicentennial, University of Missouri Extension will extend this year’s Century Farm application deadline to June 1. “With our partners the Missouri Farm Bureau and the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, we want to be sure every eligible farm family has an opportunity to apply in this special […]
Audio: Anti-Grain Belt Express bill gets another Senate hearing with testimony lasting two hours
The Grain Belt Express project plans to run wind power transmission lines across eight rural counties in northern Missouri—from Buchanan through Ralls. Though the Public Service Commission has approved it and the commission’s approval won a court challenge, agricultural opponents have once again found support in the Legislature. The Missouri House passed HB 527 to stop utility […]
Missouri Director Chris Chinn and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Davin Turner are NCMC Commencement Speakers
Missouri Director of Agriculture, Chris Chinn and Dr. Davin Turner, Chief Medical Officer and President of Mosaic Life Care Medical Center in St. Joseph will give the commencement addresses at North Central Missouri College in Trenton, Missouri on May 8, 2021. Director Chinn will speak at the 9:00 a.m. morning ceremony and Dr. Turner will […]
49th Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture announced
The Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture is coming back to Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Mo., this fall for its 49th celebration of agriculture. The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced the conference dates have been set for Nov. 18-19, 2021. “As Governor and a farmer, I’m excited to see this conference back on the calendar,” […]
New college/career exploration program helps middle schoolers find their “sparks”
March 2020 would have been the fifth year of Camp CaPow—College Access-Planning Our Way. Held at the University of Missouri’s Family Impact Center in Columbia, Camp CaPow is a weeklong opportunity for middle school students to explore career and postsecondary education options through workshops, tours of Missouri college campuses, meetings with professionals from a range […]
Women in Agriculture: Online Annie’s Project course begins in May
Women involved in agriculture can learn how to strengthen their farming operation and network with other women in the industry at a free online Annie’s Project course presented by the University of Missouri Extension and the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. Annie’s Project provides women with education in production, […]
Missouri EATs helps communities strengthen local food systems
Erica Williams, the founder of a nonprofit urban agriculture program in North St. Louis County, had a vision of how to reclaim a community that had suffered through disinvestment and neglect. Across the state in Clay County, Smithville’s mayor hoped amenities like a farmers market would help reinvigorate the small city 20 miles north of […]
USDA announces funding available to assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency announces the availability of $2 million to establish partnerships with organizations to provide outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The funding was made possible by USDA’s new Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, an effort to distribute resources more broadly and to put greater […]
Governor Parson appoints seven to various boards and commissions
Governor Mike Parson announced seven appointments to various boards and commissions. Tyler Seth Johnson, of West Plains, was appointed to the Missouri Real Estate Appraisers Commission. Mr. Johnson is a Missouri Certified General Real Estate Appraiser with MAI designation and co-owner of Southwest Valuation, a real estate appraisal firm in Springfield. Previously, he worked for Landmark […]
Man pleads guilty to $244 million ghost-cattle scam
A Washington man pleaded guilty to defrauding Tyson Foods Inc. (Tyson) and another company (Company 1) out of more than $244 million by charging them under various agreements for the purported costs of purchasing and feeding hundreds of thousands of cattle that did not actually exist. According to court documents, Cody Allen Easterday, 49, of […]
Midwestern Pet Foods voluntarily recalls products due to possible salmonella health risk
The Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Feed & Seed Program issued a consumer alert following a voluntary pet food recall published by Midwestern Pet Foods. No pet or human illness has been reported at this time. According to the company’s announcement, the voluntary recall applies to specific expiration dates and pet food brands, including CanineX, Earthborn […]
Missouri farm income saw large increase in 2020 despite pandemic
Large government payments helped 2020 Missouri net farm income match or exceed the 2014 record of $3.4 billion, according to Abigail Meffert, senior research associate with the University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI). Missouri’s outlook falls in line with the U.S. Agricultural Market Outlook, a summary of 10-year baseline projections presented […]
Farmers can still obtain their Pesticide Applicator license with training on April 6
Farmers needing their Pesticide Applicators license to apply pesticides this growing season still have the opportunity to receive their certification. Online zoom training is still being offered, with Andy Luke hosting an online training session on April 6, from 6-8 pm. Additional training opportunities will be available for farmers unable to attend this meeting. Online […]
Governor Parson proclaims March 21 – 27 to be National Agriculture Week in Missouri
Governor Mike Parson has proclaimed March 21-27, 2021, to be National Agriculture Week in Missouri. As today also marks National Agriculture Day across the nation, Governor Parson joins the Missouri Department of Agriculture in celebrating the state’s top position nationally in agriculture production. “Missouri is ranked among the top tier of states in agriculture production, […]
Missouri Department of Agriculture launches Missouri Agriculture Awards for 2021
The Missouri Department of Agriculture is now accepting nominations for the Missouri Agriculture Awards. The Missouri Agriculture Awards will honor five individuals that strive to innovate their farm or ranch, give back to their communities, or stand as a great example for future generations. Award categories include Missouri Farm Innovation, Missouri Agriculture Education Leader, Missouri […]
Rural Iowa communities urge more factory-farm regulations
Advocates for family farms, rural neighborhoods, and the environment are asking Iowa lawmakers to find a more equitable balance between the interests of factory farms and of the communities they’re in. Research has shown higher levels of nitrates and phosphorus in the water, as well as air quality issues, in communities with nearby concentrated animal feeding […]
USDA invests $15 million to improve and modernize electric infrastructure in rural Missouri
U.S.Department of Agriculture Rural Development Missouri Acting State Director D Clark Thomas announced the agency is investing $15 million to build and improve electric infrastructure in Missouri through its Electric Loan Program. “For nearly 85 years—since the inception of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936—USDA has played a role in bringing electricity to rural areas,” […]
New option to crop insurance farmers need to consider
As grain prices hit new levels, farmers are considering potential profit in preparing for the 2021 growing season. However, protection is always going to be important. Crop insurance decisions will be critical this year. Gary Schnitkey, University of Illinois agricultural economics professor, said 93% of Illinois farmers took some form of Revenue Protection (RP) insurance […]