MU Extension in Cass County

Addiction costs Missouri communities millions in lost productivity.

The Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative equips employers with the tools to assist individuals impacted by substance use disorders, fostering a healthier work environment for everyone.

✅ Boosts retention
✅ Builds a strong, supportive culture
✅ Strengthens communities

Learn how your workplace can become recovery friendly: https://brnw.ch/21wRWIG

Addiction costs Missouri communities millions in lost productivity.

The Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative equips employers with the tools to assist individuals impacted by substance use disorders, fostering a healthier work environment for everyone.

✅ Boosts retention
✅ Builds a strong, supportive culture
✅ Strengthens communities

Learn how your workplace can become recovery friendly: https://brnw.ch/21wRWqE

Asparagus season is here!

As a perennial veggie, asparagus comes back year after year—often producing for 10+ years! Now through mid-April is the perfect time to plant.

👉 Choose a sunny, well-drained spot (6–8 hours of sun daily).
👉 Prep the soil with compost or aged manure.
👉 Plant crowns 12–18" apart in rows 3–4' apart, in 6–8" deep trenches.
👉 Cover with 2" of soil and fill in as they grow.

Be patient—harvest begins in year 2 or 3, but the payoff is fresh asparagus for years! 🌞

Get more info on disease and insect management: https://brnw.ch/21wRUTM.

Ready to dive into homesteading? Little Roots, Big Harvest: Homesteading Together blends traditional practices with modern health and safety tips.

Through a combination of online sessions and in-person workshops, you'll learn about organic gardening, animal care, food preservation and building self-sustaining systems. The program also covers mindful cooking and stress-reduction techniques for a balanced lifestyle.

The first session kicks off on April 15th from 6:00 to 7:30 PM and continues monthly through Nov.

Don't miss out! Register today: https://brnw.ch/21wRT5m

Are you seeking effective ways to manage stress and enhance your well-being?

Taking Care of You provides practical strategies to support your overall health—body, mind and spirit.

Join the upcoming virtual session beginning on April 14 and get ready to embark on a journey to simplify your life and live in the moment!

Sessions will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from April 14 to May 7, from noon to 1 p.m.

Cost: $40

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

Attention Missouri Corn Growers! 🌽

A new pest has arrived in Missouri: the corn leafhopper. This tiny insect can cause corn stunt disease, leading to up to 100% yield loss.

Initial corn stunt symptoms are chlorosis and/or reddening of leaf tips. The disease can result in deformed grain, loose kernels and short stalks.

Tips to reduce the risks:
• Plant early.
• Use insecticidal seed treatments that can protect up to V3 growth stage.
• Remove volunteer plants that may serve as an alternative host.
• Consider foliar insecticides if corn leafhoppers are present before the V8 growth stage.

Download the guide for detailed scouting and management techniques. https://brnw.ch/21wRLZJ

🌾 Join the Rural Roots Connection Group! 🌾

The Counseling and Social Advocacy Center at UMSL is excited to announce a new Rural Roots Connection Group for individuals living in or from rural communities in Missouri. This weekly virtual group offers a supportive space to connect with others who share rural roots.

Details:
• When: Fridays, 4 – 5 p.m.
• Dates: February 28 – May 9
• Where: Zoom
• Cost: Free of charge

More info:
• Open to all individuals with rural connections in Missouri
• Flexible attendance: Join any week you can, no commitment required
• Led by students under the supervision of Licensed Professional Counselors
• Activities focused on stress coping strategies

Note: Participants must be physically located in Missouri during the sessions.

Register today: https://brnw.ch/21wR0fC.

UMSL Counseling Services

If you have a plant health problem, you can now digitally submit a photo of the injured plant to MU's Plant Diagnostic Clinic for a professional diagnosis.

This digital submission process not only saves you time and money but also facilitates quicker identification and treatment of your plant's issues!

For helpful tips on capturing quality photos and detailed submission instructions, please visit: https://brnw.ch/21wRHiv

Happy National Doctor's Day! 🩺

Today, we celebrate the incredible dedication and tireless efforts of doctors everywhere. Thank you for your commitment to healing, compassion and saving lives.

A special shoutout to the MU School of Medicine for their vital role in shaping the next generation of physicians dedicated to enhancing the health of Missourians through innovative training and a focus on improving access to rural health.

🙌💙

April's CEC Monthly Exchange will explore how the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce keeps their community engaged through strategic social media and a dedicated community app.

Join the webinar on April 4 at 1:30 p.m. to learn practical tips and real-world strategies from chamber leaders and small business owners who are successfully building connections and driving engagement.

Panelists:
• Lauri Lyerla – CEO, Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce
• Sarah James – Owner, Magnolia & Sunshine
• Mary Margaret Butler – Representative, App My Community

Register today: https://brnw.ch/21wRE3M

Our first virtual workshop is right around the corner!! If any of these topics interest you, be sure to register! And feel free to share this with anyone who might be interested.

The virtual sessions are FREE this year!

🌽 🐓🫑🥕🥒🧅🥗🧀 🐮 🥖 🧑‍🌾 🥚 🐐

🌱 Registration is NOW OPEN for Little Roots, Big Harvest: Homesteading Together! 🌿

Join us for virtual workshops on growing your own food, raising livestock, and living sustainably. Learn essential skills like gardening, food preservation, and more, all while focusing on wellness and safety. Don’t miss out—sign up today and start building your thriving homestead! 🌾✨

Registration: https://extension.missouri.edu/events/little-roots-big-harvest-homesteading-together

Playing games online has surprising benefits for adults and youth:

• Developing strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Improving hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills
• Connecting with friends, family and new people worldwide
• Relieving stress and improving mood

However, it’s important to be aware of potential risks, such as:
• Hacking, phishing scams, malware and cyberbullying
• Deepfakes and voice cloning

For valuable tips on how to stay safe while gaming and to prevent game addiction, visit: https://mobroadband.org/online-games/

📣 ATTN: Please share 📣
We have been notified scammers posing as Cass County Health Department employees are attempting to steal personal information by claiming to need Medicare details for verification or updated records. Take the following precautions to protect yourself from scams:
1. Do not share personal information: Never provide your Medicare number, Social Security number, or banking details to unsolicited callers.
2. Verify the source: If someone claims to be from the Cass County Health Department, hang up and call our official number (816-380-8425) to confirm their identity.
3. Beware of pressure tactics: Scammers often create urgency or threats to manipulate individuals into sharing their information.
4. Report suspicious activity: If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the health department requesting Medicare details, report it immediately to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-382-4357 or visit www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

🚜💡 Farmers and drone pilots can enhance aerial seeding efficiency with a new guide designed to simplify calibration, ultimately saving both time and money.

Previously, spreading patterns relied on estimation, but this guide determines the seed's reach based on factors such as drone height, swath width, flying speed, hopper opening size and external influences like crosswinds.

Whether seeding cover crops, forages, or specialty crops, this guide provides practical tips to minimize waste and improve outcomes. 🌾🚁

📚 Check it out: https://brnw.ch/21wRzlL

Join the online webinar series, "Summer Vegetable Crop Success: Growing the Season's Best," where you'll discover the secrets to cultivating thriving warm-season crops.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this course will provide you with expert tips and techniques to grow the most bountiful and delicious vegetables this summer. 🍅🥒🌽
Topics:

• April 8: Tomato, Pepper, Eggplant
• April 10: Cucumber, Squash, Melon
• April 15: Sweet Corn, Green Beans
• April 17: Farmer Panel and Farm Business Resources

Register today and take your gardening skills to the next level: https://brnw.ch/21wRxhd