MU Extension in St. Louis 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/21x2WdS

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/21x2NWr

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/21x2JBH

Hiring custom farm services in Missouri is getting more expensive. The custom rates for farm services survey shows fieldwork rates have increased about 9% since 2023, with fertilizer and chemical application costs rising nearly 30%.

Higher labor, insurance and operating costs are driving the increases, especially for services that require more workers and specialized equipment.

Not all rates are rising, though. Harvesting costs remain steady, and planting rates have only seen modest growth, influenced in part by the availability of used equipment.

The updated guide draws on nearly 1,000 responses across Missouri and helps farmers and service providers benchmark costs and make informed decisions.

Read the full report: https://brnw.ch/21x2DqX