2021 Crop Management Conference

Crop Management Conference returns November 30 through December 1

The University of Missouri Crop Management Conference returns as an in-person event Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2021, at the Stoney Creek Hotel in Columbia. MU Extension specialists in weeds, pests, and plant diseases, nutrient management, economics, cover crops, drainage, and wildlife management will speak. Other presenters include a climatologist from Purdue University and an industry representative […]

Farm Service Agency FSA

2021 Farm Service Agency county committee elections underway

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin mailing ballots this week for the Farm Service Agency county and urban county committee elections to all eligible agricultural producers and private landowners across the country. Elections are occurring in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for these committee members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs […]

Network cables (RJ45 ) connected to a switch

USDA to make up to $1.15 billion available to help people living in rural communities access high-speed internet

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a significant expansion of access to high-speed internet, health care, and educational services for millions of rural Americans nationwide. Today’s announcement continues to move forward President Biden’s Build Back Better Agenda by prioritizing economic growth in rural America and investing in the backbone of our country […]

Hands holding money

Governor Parson announces $750,000 Emergency Energy Loan to Hannibal

Governor Mike Parson announced a $750,000 interest-free loan to the city of Hannibal to ease the impact of excessive wholesale electricity and natural gas costs associated with the February 2021 extreme weather event. The loan was made possible through the Municipal Utility Emergency Loan Program. “The Municipal Utility Emergency Loan Program provides municipal utilities and […]

NCRS Website

NRCS announces november 19, 2021 application deadline for financial assistance

The Missouri USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service announced November 19, 2021, as the cut-off date to apply for the Fiscal Year 2022 funds through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program. EQIP allows farmers, ranchers, forestland managers, and landowners an opportunity to conserve natural resources by making available financial assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals, […]

Jobs Report or unemployment

Missouri unemployment rate drops to 3.8% in September

Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased from August 2021 to September 2021, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased by two-tenths of a percentage point. Employment, seasonally adjusted, increased by 7,500 jobs over the month, with job gains in service-providing industries. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in September 2021, down from 4.0 […]

Monarch Bioenergy Gas Plant on Smithfield Farm

Trenton Rotary Club hear presentation on Monarch Bioenergy Project at Smithfield

The Monarch Bioenergy Project was discussed at the Trenton Rotary Club meeting on October 14. The project is a joint venture between Smithfield Hog Production of Princeton and Roeslein Energy of Saint Louis. Smithfield General Manager Michael Rainwater and Roeslein Director of Communication Brandon Bulterz talked about the project, which allows methane gases generated by […]

Drought Resources news graphic

Online tool now available for drought-stricken farms to estimate compensation for feed transportation costs

An online tool is now available to help ranchers document and estimate payments to cover feed transportation costs caused by drought, which are now covered by the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated the program this year to include feed transportation costs as well as […]

Grants News Graphic

USDA invests more than $1 million to support rural Missouri businesses

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Missouri Acting State Director D Clark Thomas announced 19 organizations statewide are being awarded a total of $1,006,698 to create jobs and increase economic opportunities throughout the state. “USDA Rural Development has worked tirelessly to support rural Missouri businesses throughout the pandemic,” said Thomas. “The Rural Business Development Grants […]

USDA Sign

USDA to launch loan guarantee initiative to create more market opportunities, strengthen food supply chain

As part of the Administration’s efforts to address food systems challenges arising from the pandemic as well as those going back decades, United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA plans for another $100 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The funding would leverage hundreds of millions more in […]