Health News

Coronavirus Information: How organizations are handling the issue statewide

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education continues to receive many questions about COVID-19 and how it impacts student attendance, school closure, assessments, and virtual education opportunities. We are aware that local education agencies must consider a number of factors when making decisions in this current situation. Administrative Memo COM-20-001, issued from the Commissioner […]

Sunn Hemp Research

Department of Agriculture to hold training for those interested in becoming certified industrial hemp samplers

The Missouri Department of Agriculture will hold a training session for individuals interested in becoming certified industrial hemp samplers. Training will be held at the University of Missouri Forage Systems Research Center east of Linneus the afternoon of March 24th at 1 o’clock. Field Specialist in Agronomy Valerie Tate says certified industrial hemp samplers must […]

Animal Abuse

Missouri Attorney General shuts down dog breeder due to animals being kept in cruel conditions

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced his office has filed a lawsuit, citing violations of the Animal Care Facilities Act (ACFA), and obtained a temporary restraining order against Cornerstone Farms, a dog breeding company operated by Debra Ritter and located in Curryville, Missouri. This case was referred to the Attorney General’s Office by the Missouri Department of […]

Flooded Farm Grain Bins

Local, state, and federal agencies partner to host public meetings to help farmers get flood ready for 2020

Over 1.4 million acres of Missouri farmland went unplanted in 2019 due to flooding and excessive rain, according to the Missouri Department of Agriculture.   Nearly a year later, farmers across the state are still struggling to rebuild their operations. Many roads and bridges still are in need of reconstruction, and crop insurance may be […]

Gallatin City Hall

Gallatin Board of Aldermen vote to move forward with Mid-States for installation of fiber optic cable

The Gallatin Board of Aldermen voted Monday evening to move forward with negotiations and drafting of a contract with Mid-States Services, LLC for fiber installation and rental of electrical poles within the City of Gallatin. Mid-States proposed using Gallatin’s electrical system poles to install the fiber throughout the city at an annual per electrical pole […]

Fiber Optic Internet Access

Audio: Area internet providers to expand broadband services to rural residents

United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy announced on Tuesday that five Missouri projects will receive 60.9 million dollars in USDA funding for high-speed broadband infrastructure. The USDA’s ReConnect Pilot Program announcement was made at the Metcalf Mechanical Resource Center at the North Central Missouri College Barton Farm […]

USDA Reconnect Program

USDA announces $61 million investment to bring broadband to rural Missourians

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy announced USDA has invested $60.9 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve e-Connectivity for more than 11,000 rural households, 81 farms, 73 businesses, 16 educational facilities, 12 critical community facilities, and two health care facilities in rural Missouri. […]

Gallatin City Hall

Gallatin Board of Aldermen tackle busy agenda

The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved recommending the Friends of Gallatin financing a five-year note with the United States Department of Agriculture at two and three-quarters percent to purchase a vacuum trailer from Ditch Witch. The vote was taken after Public Works Director Mark Morey reported the lowest bid for the vacuum trailer came from […]

USDA Reconnect Program

Governor Mike Parson to attend USDA announcement in Trenton

United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Donald “DJ” LaVoy will make an announcement in Trenton regarding e-connectivity funding. Missouri Governor Mike Parson and LaVoy will participate in the Reconnect Pilot Program ceremony at the North Central Missouri College Barton Farm Campus Tuesday morning at 9:30. Tens of millions of dollars in USDA funding […]

Tractor mowing hemp on hemp farm

Free workshops on industrial hemp production to be held in December and January

The University of Missouri Extension offers free industrial hemp production workshops in December and January. MU Extension agronomist Greg Luce and agricultural economist Joe Horner will talk on growing industrial hemp and crop enterprise budgets. During the presentations at Marshall and Carrollton, Missouri Department of Agriculture representatives will give an overview of regulations and the […]

USDA resumes signups for Conservation Reserve Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced this week that it will resume signups for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) under both general and continuous enrollment beginning Monday, Dec. 9. Established in 1985, CRP is considered one of the nation’s most successful private lands conservation programs. The general signup is the first held since 2016 […]

Tractor mowing hemp on hemp farm

Missouri Industrial Hemp Program establishes path forward for 2020 growing season

The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced how producers can apply for a registration to grow industrial hemp in Missouri during the 2020 growing season. Interested producers must complete a written application, create parcel maps and complete a fingerprint criminal history background check within 30 days of submitting their application. Starting Dec. 16, 2019, producers will […]