MU Extension in St. Charles County

10/15/2026

Looking for a make-ahead fall breakfast that’s easy on both your schedule and your budget? These Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies are soft, lightly sweet and filled with pumpkin, warm spices, raisins and nuts.

Made with whole-wheat flour and nutrient-rich ingredients, they’re a satisfying option for busy mornings, lunch boxes or an afternoon snack.

Better yet, you can bake 48 cookies in about 30 minutes for roughly $0.15-$0.20 per cookie!

Get this recipe and other pumpkin favorites: https://brnw.ch/21x6r5d

10/14/2026

Congratulations to Tess Bauer, Missouri’s 2026 State Fair Queen! 👑

Tess is the first resident from St. Charles County to earn this title! This honor recognizes her accomplishments, character and commitment to serving as an ambassador for the Missouri State Fair and Missouri agriculture.

Tess lives with her family in St. Charles and attended Orchard Farm High School, where she participated in the National Honor Society, the Principal’s Council, the Pointe Prairie 4-H Club, and served as president of the newly formed Orchard Farm Chapter of the Future Farmers of America. She is currently attending Mizzou and studying agriculture education.

Congrats Tess! We are proud of you! 🫶

10/14/2026

St. Charles County Council members recognized Tess Bauer, the 2025 St. Charles County Fair Queen and 2026 Missouri State Fair Queen, during their October 13 council meeting. Tess made history as the first St. Charles County Fair Queen to earn the title of Missouri State Fair Queen. During the recognition, council members highlighted her many accomplishments and presented her with a resolution honoring her achievement. MU Extension in St. Charles County appreciates the county's recognition of Tess and her outstanding representation of the community.

10/14/2026

Older Americans are building wealth at a historic pace. Since 1992, the median net worth of households led by adults 65 and older has roughly doubled, outpacing gains among younger households.

The map shows where adults age 65 and older are choosing to relocate in Missouri. In 2024, older adults accounted for 2.8% of new county residents statewide, with similar rates in metropolitan (2.7%) and nonmetropolitan (3.2%) counties.

What could that mean for Missouri communities? With relatively low living costs, access to outdoor recreation and proximity to major metro areas, many rural communities may be well-positioned to attract retirees and the economic activity they bring.

Read the latest Missouri Economy Indicators brief to learn how the growing wealth of older households could influence Missouri's economy and rural communities.

10/13/2026

Looking for a lower-sugar Halloween? Start here.

Did you know some studies suggest children may consume the equivalent of about 3 cups of sugar on Halloween? While enjoying a few favorite treats is part of the celebration, many families are looking for ways to reduce the post-Halloween sugar overload.

One fun option is the Switch Witch, a tradition where children leave some of their candy out overnight and "trade" it for a small surprise such as a book, craft kit or coloring activity. It helps reduce the amount of candy hanging around for weeks while keeping the excitement of Halloween intact.

10/12/2026

As we continue sharing fire safety tips beyond Fire Prevention Week, it's important to think about the devices you charge every day. Smartphones, laptops, power tools, e-bikes and other devices powered by lithium-ion batteries are part of everyday life, but improper charging can increase the risk of overheating, fire or explosion.

The risk is growing. A report from the National Institute of Standards and Technology estimates that since 2011, there have been roughly 198,000 lithium-ion battery fires in structures nationwide and about 5,700 fires involving electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The number of battery-related fires continues to increase each year.

Help protect your home and family by:
• Using the charger recommended by the manufacturer.
• Charging devices on hard, flat surfaces.
• Unplugging devices when fully charged.
• Replacing batteries that become hot, swell, smoke or give off unusual odors.

Learn more about lithium-ion battery safety and other fire prevention tips: https://brnw.ch/21x6lqh

10/11/2026

These plants were purchased at the St. Charles County Master Gardeners April plant sale. I love that in October they are still growing. 💚
Our Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists do amazing work.

10/09/2026

What makes West Alton such a special place? Join Luke Dietterle, Mayor Willie Richter, and Deana Dothage for an insightful discussion about the community, its challenges and opportunities, and the partnerships helping it thrive. Tune in and discover what makes West Alton unique.

If you would like to read: Return to Rural Missouri - West Alton, we will email it to you.

In this episode, host Luke Dietterle talks with Deana Dothage, Extension and Engagement Specialist, Field Specialist in Community Development, MU Extension, St. Charles County and Mayor William "Willie" Richter of West Alton, MO, and systems administrator for Orchard Farm School District for a first...

10/09/2026

A special meeting to vote on the 2027 Memo of Understanding between Extension and the University of Missouri will be held October 13 at noon. Options to attend are via Zoom or in person. For the zoom link, send a private message to receive the link in email. To attend in person, the address is 260 Brown Road, St. Peters, MO 63376.

10/09/2026

As we celebrate National 4-H Week, we're highlighting a great example of what happens when youth leadership and community partnerships come together to make a difference.

What started as a simple community meal has grown into something remarkable in St. Francois County. Through the "Soup, There It Is" initiative, community members, businesses, local organizations and youth volunteers came together to improve food access for neighbors in need.

In 2026, the effort served or delivered 450 meals, collected more than 2,500 pounds of food for local families experiencing food insecurity and provided meal kits to underserved communities. The program's success was made possible through strong local partnerships and the dedication of volunteers, including 4-H members who helped collect donations, prepare meals and deliver food to families.

Read the full story: https://brnw.ch/21x6i82