MU Extension in Caldwell County

08/11/2025

Got extra dill pickles? Dehydrate them for a crunchy snack, a topping for sandwiches or fries or grind them into powder to season popcorn, dips, chicken breading and more.

How to Make Them:
◾Pat your pickles dry—chips work best, but spears can be used if chopped smaller.
◾Lay them in a single layer on your dehydrator trays. No overlapping!
◾Set to 140°F. Chips take 6–8 hours; spears may need up to 24.
◾Once dry, cool completely. Grind into powder or keep whole. ◾Store in airtight containers for up to 2 months.

Get more details on this and other safe ways to preserve food in the Preserve it Fresh, Preserve it Safe newsletter: https://brnw.ch/21wUPnn

08/08/2025

Squash bugs are attracted to plants in the cucurbit family such as pumpkins, cucumbers, summer and winter squash and zucchini.

Heart of Missouri Extension Master Gardener, Jolie Russell provides info on how to tell if you have squash bugs and what you can do to get ride of them!

08/07/2025

Before joining the virtual Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA), Laura Mize didn’t realize others in Missouri were doing similar work. Now, she's part of a network of rural leaders sharing ideas and successes!

Ready to grow your impact? Registration for the upcoming virtual session beginning on Sept. 10 is open now!

Register for NLA today: https://brnw.ch/21wUJVu

08/06/2025

Understanding your soil’s physical, chemical and biological properties is key to building a more productive, resilient farm.

A new guide will help Missouri farmers:
◾Decode soil health indicators
◾Make sense of test results
◾Apply insights to improve nutrient use, water retention & crop yields

Whether you're new to soil health testing or refining your practices, this guide is your go-to resource: https://brnw.ch/21wUI7q

08/05/2025

Three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and 35% of the world’s food crops depend on pollinators to reproduce. But their habitats are disappearing.
That’s why efforts like the Highway 13 Butterfly Coalition matter.

This grassroots movement is focused on creating habitats, enhancing ecotourism and educating communities along the migration corridor that monarch butterflies traverse each year between Hamilton and Branson.

MU Extension plays a vital role by providing its expertise to conduct biodiversity assessments and habitat studies, as well as developing educational displays.

Read more about the Butterfly Trail: https://brnw.ch/21wUGvc

08/04/2025

Haymaking has long been a tradition for livestock producers but is it still the smartest move for your farm?

MU Extension forage specialist Carson Roberts offers a valuable perspective on why stepping away from hay production might actually benefit your operation.

Key reasons to quit making hay:
◾High equipment costs
◾Cost of labor and time
◾Variable forage quality
◾Profitable alternatives

If you're looking to streamline your operation and boost profitability, get the details: https://brnw.ch/21wUEqb

08/01/2025

Whether you're growing your team or growing your skills, the MU Career Accelerator offers flexible courses, training events and certificates designed to meet today’s workforce needs.

With expert instructors, cutting-edge research and industry partnerships, we’re here to help you stay competitive and confident in your career.

Explore opportunities: https://brnw.ch/21wUB2p

08/01/2025

Monday, August 4th, come "Spin a Smoothie" with Amanda Caldwell County Library, starting at 10am.

07/31/2025

07/31/2025

A new analysis across eight Midwest states shows 75% of agribusinesses cite a skilled worker shortage as the top hiring barrier.

Key points:
◾Problem-solving and communication skills are especially hard to find.
◾ Roughly one in 20 private-sector workers are employed in agribusiness. In Missouri, agribusiness employment is notably higher in nonmetro counties (12%) than in metro counties (4%).

Explore the full report and what it means for Missouri’s workforce: https://brnw.ch/21wUzq0

07/30/2025

Missouri’s farmland market remains steady overall, according to the 2025 Agricultural Business and Policy- MU Extension Farmland Values Opinion Survey.

The average value of “good” non-irrigated cropland is $8,596 per acre, nearly unchanged from last year. However, pastureland dipped slightly in value and values for timberland and recreational land saw increases.

Respondents reported the highest land values in the eastern urban area and the lowest in the south-central region.

See the full survey results and explore what’s shaping Missouri’s land market at http://muext.us/Extfarmlandvalues.

07/29/2025

Thinking about buying a new computer or tablet?
Choosing the right operating system can make all the difference whether you're designing graphics, managing emails or just browsing the web.

Check out our latest blog on MOBroadband.org to explore the pros and cons of popular operating systems like Windows, MacOS, ChromeOS, Linux, iPadOS, and Android.

Find out which one fits your digital lifestyle best. Read the latest blog: https://mobroadband.org/operating-systems/