MU Extension in Boone County

Looking for practical ways to strengthen your family relationships and reduce everyday stress?

Join the Building Strong Families virtual course and gain tools you can use right away. This interactive, six-session series helps parents build on their strengths while learning effective communication, stress management and positive parenting strategies.

Sessions occur on Thursdays, June 4 through July 9 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Register today: https://brnw.ch/21x2WFM

Interested in building stronger connections and improving your well-being?

Through the ShowMe Connection project, eligible participants can take free MU Extension classes focused on:
• Healthy relationships
• Physical activity
• Mental health awareness

If you live in a rural area, are 18+ and can complete a short training, you may qualify! Eligibility required. Spots are limited.

Interested? Email Candace Rodman at [email protected] to express interest.

This work is supported by ShowMe Connection, project award no. 2025-46100-45377 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture

A simple red flower has become a widely recognized symbol of remembrance in the United States.

The poppy’s significance dates to World War I and the 1915 poem In Flanders Fields, which describes red poppies growing among the graves of fallen soldiers. The flowers appeared in areas where the soil had been disturbed, contributing to their association with military sacrifice.

Today, the poppy is used to honor service members who have died in combat and serves as a symbol of remembrance on Memorial Day.

Memorial Day provides an opportunity to recognize and remember those who lost their lives in military service.

Read more about the poppy: https://brnw.ch/21x2NVO

As the unofficial kickoff to summer, this weekend is the perfect time to start the season off right and keep young minds engaged.

The “summer slide” is real. When school routines pause, many children lose ground in reading and math skills. The good news is that everyday moments can double as learning opportunities without feeling like homework.

Try these simple, research-backed ideas:

• Let kids choose books they are excited to read and set aside family reading time

• Turn cooking and shopping into math practice by measuring, budgeting and comparing prices

• Explore museums, parks or local landmarks to build curiosity and critical thinking

Keeping kids engaged now can make the transition back to school smoother and more successful this fall.

Explore more ideas: https://brnw.ch/21x2JBp

Congratulations to our new Master Naturalist interns! These volunteers completed at least 40 hours of intensive training, including classroom lectures and field trips to our mid-Missouri prairies, forests, wetlands and waterways. We even explored the Missouri River (on a cold and windy day!) and learned first-hand about native plants in urban settings, thanks to the Wild Yards program. The new graduates are from Boone, Cole, Miller, and Callaway counties. Stay tuned for information about our 2027 training! MU Extension in Cole County; MU Extension in Callaway County; MU Extension in Cooper County; MU Extension in Osage County; MU Extension in Howard County; MU Extension in Randolph County

Check out the latest issue of Missouri Economic Indicators from MU Extension, reviewing migration patterns in Missouri. Key takeaways:
--From 2020–25, net migration increased the average Missouri county population by 2.1%, with nonmetro counties experiencing a greater share of in-migrants compared to metro counties.
--A 2025 Northwest Missouri survey finds that ties to the and health care access are top location considerations for all respondents. However, newcomers placed greater importance on amenities such as broadband access than did longtime residents.
--This same survey, and a similar one in 2020, show that newcomers are more likely to participate in some civic activities, like serving in leadership roles, that can make them a valuable community resource. https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/exceed-community-economic-and-entrepreneurial-development/missouri-economy-indicators

To get MEI briefs and related information from the MU Extension Exceed (Regional Economic and Entrepreneurial Development) program, sign up at this link: https://r2.dotmailer-surveys.com/816d4f4a53def50e42n586b3aa1bbed6e825-466be07b465de9a464t8b701ca6d2f66cd8
MU Extension in Cooper County; MU Extension in Cole County; MU Extension in Howard County;

Missouri Economy Indicators | MU Extension The Missouri Economy Indicators series explores business, industry, workforce and demographic topics that impact Missouri’s economy. New briefs are released every three to four weeks.