MU Extension in Bollinger County

MU Extension in Bollinger County MU Extension empowers people to improve their lives, businesses and communities by providing practical, relevant and research-based educational strategies.

Social media guidelines: bit.ly/mizzousocial
ADA/EOE Employer

Join the 20,000+ adults over 60 who have improved their strength, balance and confidence.Stay Strong, Stay Healthy is a ...
04/10/2026

Join the 20,000+ adults over 60 who have improved their strength, balance and confidence.

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy is a strength training program that helps older adults stay active and independent. Nearly 20 years of proven success shows participants get stronger, move better and feel more confident in everyday life.

The next online Level 3 session will meet April 13 through June 22 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. with simple, effective exercises you can do at home.

Register today:
https://brnw.ch/21x1u7Q

April is one of the busiest months in the garden. Here’s a couple things that Missouri gardeners should focus on right n...
04/09/2026

April is one of the busiest months in the garden. Here’s a couple things that Missouri gardeners should focus on right now to set flowers, vegetables and lawns up for success.

Flowers:
• Prune spring‑flowering shrubs after they finish blooming
• Remove winter mulch from roses and prune before new growth takes off

Vegetable Gardens
• Plant cool‑season crops like lettuce, spinach, broccoli and cabbage
• Thin crowded seedlings and stay ahead of weeds early

Lawns
• Wait to mow cool‑season lawns until grass reaches at least 3 inches, then mow high
• Apply crabgrass preventer around forsythia bloom or when soil temps hit about 55 degrees
• Spot‑treat broadleaf weeds while they’re still small.

Get more April gardening tips: https://brnw.ch/21x1sxq

What if one of the best things you could do for your mental health was also one of the best things you could do for your...
04/08/2026

What if one of the best things you could do for your mental health was also one of the best things you could do for your community?

As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, we are reminded that volunteering does more than strengthen Missouri. It strengthens the people who show up. Giving your time can build connection, reduce isolation and create a real sense of purpose.

Many volunteers say service helps them feel grounded during life changes, expand their social circles and rediscover momentum.

From formal programs to simple acts like checking on a neighbor or lending a hand nearby, service has the power to lift both the giver and the receiver.

Read more and learn about volunteer opportunities with MU Extension: https://brnw.ch/21x1pPJ

04/07/2026

Have you ever had an allergic reaction hours after eating?

Alpha-gal syndrome is a tick bite–triggered food allergy that can cause delayed reactions after eating red meat or being exposed to certain mammal-based products. Because symptoms do not always appear right away, alpha-gal can be difficult to recognize.

For people living with alpha-gal, managing symptoms often means major lifestyle changes. Ongoing concern about accidental exposure can also affect mental health, contributing to stress, anxiety or depression.

This video highlights the importance of recognizing both the physical and emotional effects of alpha-gal syndrome and encourages working with a health care provider to better understand and manage symptoms.

Five new credible guides are now available to help Missourians identify symptoms, make safer food choices, avoid cross-contact and reduce risk in everyday activities.

Access the guides: https://brnw.ch/21x1nUp

04/06/2026

April is , and we’re celebrating with a new recipe each week powered by this plant-based ingredient. Each dish highlights protein, heart-healthy fats and versatility, while recognizing Missouri farmers who help bring these nutritious foods to the table.

This week’s recipe is Soy-licious Chocolate Mousse. Rich, silky and full of chocolate flavor, this dessert delivers a plant-powered twist that is surprisingly simple to make.

Recipe in comments.

Curious about high tunnel production? Attend one of the five on‑farm workshops this spring to learn directly from experi...
04/03/2026

Curious about high tunnel production? Attend one of the five on‑farm workshops this spring to learn directly from experienced farmers and extension specialists about best management practices.

High tunnels are becoming a popular tool for specialty crop growers thanks to benefits like season extension, higher yields and reduced disease pressure. But success takes planning and the right management strategies.

Topics include:
• Site‑specific management practices
• High tunnel structures and environmental management
• Insect and disease control
• Fertility and irrigation management
• High tunnel business management

Cost: $10
Find a location near you and register today: https://brnw.ch/21x1iCc

Missouri Farmers Market Association

04/02/2026

Confused by all the hydration advice online?

Nutrition Specialist Debbie Bennett responds to a video about "proper" hydration and breaks down what’s fact, what’s fiction and what actually matters.

Your bull management decisions today directly affect next year’s calf crop.As breeding season approaches, MU Extension l...
04/01/2026

Your bull management decisions today directly affect next year’s calf crop.

As breeding season approaches, MU Extension livestock specialists recommend focusing on a few key areas to protect your investment and improve reproductive success:

• Body condition score: Bulls should enter the breeding season at a score of 6, which may require nutrition adjustments now.

• Structural soundness: Feet and leg structure matter for mobility and longevity in the pasture.

• Breeding soundness exams: Schedule exams 30 to 60 days before turnout to identify fertility issues early.

• Bull-to-cow ratio: Proper ratios support effective breeding.

Get the details on how these practices support a productive breeding season. Link in comments.

Missouri averages just 4.6 available child care slots for every 10 children under age 5. In nonmetro areas, that number ...
03/31/2026

Missouri averages just 4.6 available child care slots for every 10 children under age 5. In nonmetro areas, that number drops below three slots for every 10 children.

The cost of insufficient child care access is significant. Missouri businesses and workers lose more than $1 billion each year due to limited availability and affordability.

A new initiative, Missouri Child Care Works, aims to make child care more affordable by sharing costs among employers, employees and public or philanthropic partners. This tri-share model is being piloted in several states as part of a broader effort to address the child care crisis.

Read the latest Missouri Economy Indicators brief for more details. Link in the comments.

03/31/2026

Quality for Keeps - Pressure Canning Workshop

Discover the confidence of safe home food preservation! Join our three-hour Pressure Canning Workshop in a welcoming, hands-on learning environment. Feel empowered and prepared as you learn step-by-step techniques for safely canning low-acid foods, using equipment correctly, and following tested recipes. Build skills that protect your health, reduce food waste, and help you preserve nutritious foods for your family year-round.

Class date and Time:
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
5:30-8:30pm

Location:
Cape Girardeau County Extension Office (Lower Level)
684 Jackson Trail, Jackson, MO 63755

Cost: $20 per participant

Those interested in attending can contact the Cape Girardeau County Extension Office at 573-243-3581 for more information or register online https://pears.io/events/mu/5803/

03/30/2026

Those fading daffodil leaves are doing important work. Leave blooms and foliage in place until they turn brown so the plant can store enough energy to produce strong blooms next spring. Cutting them back too early can mean fewer flowers next year.

Patience now pays off later.

Address

302 Union Street
Marble Hill, MO
63764

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 1pm
Tuesday 9am - 1pm
Wednesday 9am - 1pm
Thursday 9am - 1pm
Friday 9am - 1pm

Telephone

+15732382420

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when MU Extension in Bollinger County posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram