USDA Sign

USDA unveils tool to help rural communities address COVID-19 pandemic

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue unveiled a one-stop-shop of federal programs that can be used by rural communities, organizations, and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide (PDF, 349 KB) is a first-of-its-kind resource for rural leaders looking for federal funding and partnership opportunities to help address this pandemic. “Under […]

Grazing School Map

Grazing schools postponed due to COVID-19

The University of Missouri and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will postpone their annual series of management-intensive grazing schools in 2020 due to safety concerns about COVID-19. Organizers will look at the situation in late May to consider options, said MU Extension forage specialist Craig Roberts. NRCS and MU Extension specialists hold more than […]

Unemployment

Governor Parson announces implementation of $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program

Governor Mike Parson announced that the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ (DOLIR) Division of Employment Security (DES) has received its first operational guidance related to the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020. The FPUC does not include any provisions or benefits […]

Grundy County Courthouse Trenton Missouri

Grundy County Commission tackles busy agenda on Tuesday

The Grundy County Commission accepted bids Tuesday morning for culverts. Metal Culverts Incorporated’s bid for steel corrugated tubes was accepted. The price for the steel culverts varies from $21.73 for 24-inch to $74.02 for 60-inch per linear foot. Metal Culverts was the only bid submitted for metal culverts. Owens Trenching’s bid for black N12 double […]

Spickard School

Spickard School District extends closure to April 30th

The Spickard R-2 School District has announced it will extend its closure to April 30, 2020, to comply with local health and state guidelines in regards to COVID-19. A letter to the district says the school building will remain closed to the public during that time. Superintendent Jonnie Beavers reports the Spickard School District has served […]

School Bus

Several area schools extending closure to April 27th due to COVID-19

Several area school districts have extended their closures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. School districts extending their closures through April 24th include Chillicothe, Jamesport Tri-County, Gallatin, Braymer, Polo, and Southwest Livingston County of Ludlow. Those districts tentatively plan to resume classes on April 27th. Chillicothe R-2 reports its meal program will continue through April […]

USDA announces more than 3.4 million acres selected for general signup in Conservation Reserve Program

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the acceptance of more than 3.4 million acres in the general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup recently completed, the first general signup enrollments since 2016. County offices will begin notifying producers with accepted offers no later than April 3. Through CRP, farmers and ranchers receive an annual rental payment for […]

Audit News Graphic

Missouri State Auditor releases annual statewide audit

Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway released the annual Statewide Single Audit, which reviews the state’s financial reporting and the management and spending of $12 billion in federal funds. This year’s Statewide Single Audit reviewed 12 major federal programs and reported eight findings related to eight programs at three state agencies. The audit raised concerns with […]

Farm and farmland news graphic

Farmers wanting to apply for EQIP, CSP can apply from Home

The Missouri Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) would like to remind producers of the program sign-up deadlines to be considered for FY 2020 funding are as follows: Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) application deadline is March 30, 2020. Environmental Quality Incentive Program-Regional Conservation Partnership Program (EQIP-RCPP) application deadline is March 30, 2020. Conservation Stewardship Program-Classic […]