MU Extension in Shannon County

03/19/2026

WHAT: "A Day in the Life of the Honeybee and Beekeeper" youth beekeeping class
WHERE: Hayes Homestead, 4205 County Road 486, Birch Tree, MO
WHEN: Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10 am - 12 pm
WHO: Youth from 5-18
COST: FREE
Register here: https://pears.io/events/mu/4807/ or call (573) 718-3995

If you have a child ages 5-18, please make plans to have them join us on Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 10 am - 12 pm. We'll have Jeremy Bradshaw of Humble B presenting "A Day in the Life of the Honeybee and Beekeeper." Jeremy has an observation hive where students can safely observe the bees behind glass, but we will also have an operational hive as well.

There is no cost for students to attend, but please register your students so we know how many to prepare for. You can register online by visiting https://pears.io/events/mu/4807/ or by calling (573) 718-3995 and leaving a message!

03/18/2026

Sidney Patrick, field specialist in nutrition and health, explains how the science-based program, Stay Strong, Stay Healthy, delivers meaningful benefits for older adults.

The program helps reduce the risk of falls, supports management of chronic conditions and improves overall mental outlook which calculates to a $1000 medical cost savings per participant who completes the eight-week program!

03/17/2026

Gross domestic product, or GDP, measures the total value of goods and services produced in an area and is a key indicator of economic activity.

Missouri’s economy has grown steadily in recent years. From 2021 to 2024, the state’s real GDP increased by 6.6 percent. That growth was driven largely by Missouri’s metro areas, with Columbia and Jefferson City leading the state.

Nonmetro areas also saw important gains during this period. From 2021 to 2024, nonmetro Missouri counties experienced faster GDP growth in health care and professional and business services. In contrast, counties with economies heavily dependent on agriculture or mining tended to see the largest losses.

About 59 percent of Missouri counties grew their economies from 2023 to 2024. Nationwide, 74 percent of U.S. counties saw growth during the same period.

Explore more county-level data and insights in the Missouri Economy Indicators brief. Link in the comments.

03/16/2026

Missouri agriculture plays a vital role in the state, delivering significant value that is both evident and essential.

As we launch National Ag Week today, we take a moment to celebrate the farmers, ranchers and agricultural professionals whose hard work strengthens our communities and secures our future. These numbers show how agriculture drives Missouri forward and why this industry matters.

A heartfelt thank you to all the farmers, ranchers, and their families for your invaluable contributions!

03/16/2026

Looking for a safe, research‑based way to stay strong during and after pregnancy?

Born Strong, Stay Healthy is a free, strength program designed to help participants stay active, build strength and care for their physical and mental wellbeing. Exercises are led by trained instructors and can be customized for pregnancy, postpartum recovery and baby wearing.

One participant shared:
“It can be daunting to find exercises that are truly safe for you and your baby. Born Strong, Stay Healthy gave me confidence that the workouts were designed for delivery and recovery.”

That strength shows up in real life. “At a recent doctor’s appointment, my doctor went to help me sit up, but I had already done it on my own. She said, ‘Wow, you have great core strength!’ I credit that to Born Strong, Stay Healthy.”

The next virtual session begins March 23 at 11 a.m. Learn more and register today: https://brnw.ch/21x0MmV

03/13/2026

Thinking about growing your own garlic this season? Attend the virtual Garlic Production Workshop on March 23 from 6 to 8 p.m.

This free session will cover garlic types, how to choose quality planting stock, and essential practices for nutrient, disease, w**d and pest management. You will also learn effective methods for harvesting, storage and marketing.

Garlic is a highly nutritious, low-calorie food packed with compounds like allicin that help boost immunity, reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels.

Register today: https://brnw.ch/21x0IkI

03/12/2026

Strong communities grow when neighbors connect. Good neighboring is more than what meets the eye. It's a powerful driver of real community change that supports growth, reduces crime and inspires people to take on leadership roles.

In Excelsior Springs, Mayor Mark Spohn saw firsthand how stronger connections reshaped the community.

“What I noticed before working with MU Extension was a certain disconnection in our community, neighbor to neighbor. And that sometimes translates into distrust,” he said.

As local efforts to bring people together grew through the Engaged Leadership Program, he watched attitudes shift.

Increasing social connections in Excelsior Springs has strengthened trust between residents and local government, resulting in greater community engagement through volunteering, leadership development and neighborhood organizing. These collaborative efforts contribute to a more effective and resilient city.

Good neighboring works. When people feel connected, neighborhoods become safer and more engaged.

Read more about Excelsior Springs’ experience. ⬇️

In Excelsior Springs, a simple idea — neighbors getting to know one another — is reshaping a city. With support from University of Missouri Extension’s Engaged Neighbor Program, residents launched block parties, volunteer efforts and business collaborations that are building trust, boosting ci...

03/11/2026

Spring is the perfect time to plant lavender, and it's simpler than you might imagine!

In this reel, discover how to kick off your lavender garden and learn why this beautiful plant thrives in Missouri’s sunny, dry areas. Lavender is resilient, requires minimal care, and is wonderful for attracting pollinators.

03/10/2026

Staying socially connected is key to aging well. Strong social ties help older adults live longer, stay mobile and reduce the risk of depression and dementia, while isolation is linked to a 29% higher risk of early mortality.

MU Extension offers programs that help adults stay active and connected, both in person and online. Options such as Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention, Wits Workout, Stay Strong Stay Healthy and Osher@Mizzou support physical and cognitive health while creating opportunities to build relationships.

These programs have meaningful impact. Stay Strong Stay Healthy has served more than 20,000 older adults and improves strength, balance, flexibility, sleep and confidence while reducing fall risk.

Osher@Mizzou gives adults 50 and older a way to stay mentally engaged and socially connected through in-person and online classes that keep minds active and participants connected.

Learn more ways to stay connected as you age: https://brnw.ch/21x0CJZ