MU Extension in Bollinger County

01/23/2025

In 2023, Missouri ranked 21st in the nation with a $430 billion economy, reflecting a 2.6% real GDP increase compared to 2022.

Economic growth occurred across the state, with 82% of Missouri's counties experiencing gains, up from 37% in the previous year.

Metro areas saw a 2.6% rise in GDP, while nonmetro counties experienced a 2.8% increase, recovering from a 0.2% decline in 2022.

Read the full Missouri Economy Indicators Brief for additional details: https://brnw.ch/21wQcWs

01/23/2025

01/23/2025

01/23/2025

We bring Mizzou to Bollinger County. Through a network of county offices, the University of Missouri solves problems and engages with communities across all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis. | We bring Mizzou to Bollinger County. Through a network of county offices, the University of Missouri....

01/22/2025

Voting continues through Friday at 1PM.

We bring Mizzou to Bollinger County. Through a network of county offices, the University of Missouri solves problems and engages with communities across all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis. | We bring Mizzou to Bollinger County. Through a network of county offices, the University of Missouri....

01/20/2025

Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by reflecting on his teachings and participating in community service.

Dr. King once asked, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"

At MU Extension, we are dedicated to empowering Missourians with programs and resources to improve lives, businesses and communities.

We'd love to hear how you're serving your community today—share your actions in the comments!

01/20/2025

Bollinger County Extension Council 2025 Election
*See link below for online voting*
Any person aged 18 or older who resides in Bollinger County may vote in the Bollinger County Extension Council Election.
The ballot box will be in place from January 20th -24th at the Bollinger County Extension Office.
Voting will be allowed from 9AM to 1PM, during normal office hours. Ballots will need to be placed in the ballot box at the Bollinger County Extension Office by 1:00 p.m., January 24th, 2025.
Voting can also be done online at extension.missouri.edu/counties/bollinger Starting January 20 at 8 AM, through January 24 until 1 PM.
--- Please vote for 6 candidates for a 2-year term ---
o Barbara Bailey
o Darlene Bollinger
o Diane Dowdy
o Shelly Garner
o Sheila Porter
o Rebecca Trehy

University of Missouri Extension is an equal opportunity/ADA institution.

We bring Mizzou to Bollinger County. Through a network of county offices, the University of Missouri solves problems and engages with communities across all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis. | We bring Mizzou to Bollinger County. Through a network of county offices, the University of Missouri....

01/19/2025

MU Extension specialists have created online tools designed to assist farmers in estimating their potential payments under the American Relief Act of 2025.

This Act, which extends the current farm bill for an additional year, allocates $10 billion in economic support for farmers. The funding aims to help alleviate the economic challenges producers are experiencing as a result of falling crop prices and rising production costs.

To access the tools and calculators, click below: ⬇️

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri specialists have developed online tools to help farmers estimate their potential payments from the American Relief Act, which was passed by Congress late last year. “Economic assistance payments to Missouri crop producers are expected to provide significant...

01/15/2025

Six candidates for the upcoming election of six council members on the University of Missouri Extension -Bollinger County Council have been announced. They are Barbara Bailey, Darlene Bollinger, Diane Dowdy, Shelly Garner, Sheila Porter, and Rebecaa Trehy. Please see their biographies below:

Barbara Bailey: Barb Bailey and family moved to Bollinger County 26 years ago. Her children attended Woodland School. She has been a part of the Bollinger County Farmers Market for almost as long, first as a customer and now as a vendor. She has served many years as both a Co-Manager and Manager of the Farmers Market. Barb shared, “The market has been a great way for me and my family to meet a lot of people in our community.” Barb has also served on the Extension Council for quite a few years, and looks forward to serving again, if elected.

Darlene Bollinger: Darlene Bollinger was born in Lutesville, Missouri in Dr. Myers Office, her family lived at Hiram, MO at that time. Her family moved to Lutesville/Marble Hill when she was 14. Darlene has held many jobs such as, factory work, nursing home, road construction for Ma Bell, electrician assistant in many states, school cafeteria, in home healthcare, and attended one year of college at Three Rivers. Darlene shared, “I’ve lived in many other places, but I’ve always come home. Most of my family live here and they are who I care about, this town is what I care about, this community is what I care about, it’s HOME!” Darlene currently serves on the Extension Council and is seeking a second term.

Diane Muench Dowdy: Diane Dowdy and her husband, Wade, live on a farm they purchased in 2009 near Grassy. She is originally from Perryville and a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. She is a retired teacher and served 12 years as a school board member for the Hazelwood School District. She is a Master Gardener through the University of Missouri Extension and is currently a member of the Bollinger County Extension Council. Diane is running for reelection because she wants to get involved in the community, support the Extension Office and its programs, support the wellbeing of community members and youth through extension education programs, and improve the community garden.

Shelly Garner: Shelly Garner grew up in Bollinger County and graduated from Woodland R-4 School District. She has been employed at Peoples Community Bank in Marble Hill for the past 22 years. Shelly currently serves as the Vice President, Loan Officer, and Marble Hill Branch Manager. She has 28 years of banking experience. Shelly takes pride in our small town and would love to see it continue to grow and prosper. She is running for a second term on the Bollinger County Extension Council and hopes to better understand what our present and future community needs and how to make it happen. Shelly states, “I would love to see more and better programs readily available to our county residents. I am for the betterment and growth of our community.”

Sheila Porter: Sheila grew up in Poplar Bluff, MO. She graduated from Poplar Bluff High School, Three Rivers Community College with a AAS degree in Drafting & Design and graduated from SEMO University with a BS in Elementary Education, a M.A. in Education, and a Specialist in Library Science and Media. She completed additional course work at the University of Missouri. She worked full-time as a Teacher’s Aide, Teacher, and Librarian/Media Specialist in Missouri K-12 public schools in Southeast Missouri for 31 years, 26 of those were at Woodland R-4 schools.
Sheila married Bob Porter from Sikeston, Missouri and moved to Bollinger County in 1979 after purchasing farmland. She is a life-time member of Girl Scouts of the USA. She is a member of the Poplar Bluff Chapter of the NSDAR, Missouri Civil War Re-Enactors Association, Turner Brigade Civilian Corps, Missouri State Genealogy Society, Cape Girardeau County Genealogy Society, and the State Historical Society of Missouri. After her retirement at Woodland in 2006, she taught Adult Education and Literacy Classes part-time at the Poplar Bluff site, 2007-2018. She worked for the 2020 U.S. Census in Bollinger and the surrounding counties. Sheila is now the Education Director, a part-time position, at the National Stars and Stripes Museum & Library in Bloomfield, Mo. She is also a substitute teacher at Woodland School when needed. Sheila is presently on the Extension Council and is seeking another term.

Becky Trehy: Becky Trehy is running for a seat on the Extension Office Council. She retired from ATT in 2015. She and her husband Mike have owned land in Bollinger County for over 20 yrs and moved here full time after retiring. Becky has been active with the Extension Office, as a team leader of the Building Local Prosperity (BLP) workforce and Tourism teams. She also previously served one term on the Extension Council and volunteers with the community gardens and flower patches in Marble Hill.
Becky and Mike have a small cow-calf operation in North Bollinger County.

Voting will take place starting Monday, January 20 and will close on Friday, January 24, 2025. The ballot box will be located at the Bollinger County Extension Office, you can vote during the hours of 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The online voting web address is https://extension.missouri.edu/counties/bollinger. This option will only be available during the week of voting.
All county residents who are of voting age are encouraged to vote. For questions, feel free to contact University of Missouri Extension-Bollinger County Office at 573-238-2420.

01/15/2025

Great information for caring for damaged trees after our recent winter ice event!

Zoom Meeting ID: 95323055828 • Host: Hank Stelzer • Meeting Start: 01/11/2025 @ 6:02 PM • Recording Start: 01/11/2025 @ 6:03 PM • Duration: 15 mins • Participants: Hank Stelzer

01/15/2025

Do you want to start a farmers market in your community? Don't miss this upcoming three-part lunch 'n' learn webinar series with credible info to get you started! 🥕🌽

Learn the essentials of starting and sustaining a successful farmers market, including:

- Market rules and regulations
- Creating a market identity
- Liability considerations
- Building partnerships and sponsorships

Hear from experienced farmers market managers and gain valuable insights to help your market thrive! 🍅

📅 Dates: Feb. 4, 5, 6
🕛 Time: Noon – 1:00 p.m.

🔗Register today: https://brnw.ch/21wQ1B8


Missouri Farmers Market Association

01/14/2025

Online workshop about fescue
January 23, 2025
6 PM-9PM CST
$15
Register Now (See info. below)

01/14/2025

🌿✨ Start Plant Care Now for 2025 Holiday Blooms! ✨🌿

Did you receive a beautiful amaryllis or Christmas cactus this past holiday season? With the right care, these plants can bloom again next year! 🌸

Check out the latest tips on how to keep your holiday plants thriving all year long. From proper watering to ideal lighting, we've got you covered. 🌞💧

Read more: https://brnw.ch/21wQ08x

Source: David Trinklein, 573-882-9631 COLUMBIA, Mo. – Holiday plants can live to bloom another year with proper care, said University of Missouri Extension state horticulturist David Trinklein. Now is the time to start that care. Plants such as amaryllis and Christmas cactus received as gifts this...

01/13/2025

🌳 Storm Damage? Patience Pays Off! 🌪️

After a storm, take time to assess tree damage before acting. Some trees may recover with proper care!

🌟 Key Tips:
✔️ Safety First: Check for risks; call pros for large or twisted limbs.
✂️ Avoid Over-Pruning: Don’t “top” trees—it weakens them.
🌱 Proper Pruning: Trim broken branches to the trunk or main limb.
🤝 Hire Wisely: Verify references & insurance before hiring.

📚 Get more details: https://brnw.ch/21wPXZo

01/12/2025

🚨 Attention Missouri Soybean Farmers! 🚨

Stay vigilant for stink bugs in 2025! 🐞 MU Extension's latest update highlights the prevalence of green, one-spotted and brown stink bugs in soybean crops.

These pests can cause significant yield losses and reduce seed quality. Weekly scouting and timely insecticide application are key to managing their impact.

🔗 Check out the recommended guidelines for scouting: https://brnw.ch/21wPWRV

01/10/2025

🐴 Haltering and Tying Horses 🐴

Check out the updated guide for information about the various types of halters, their specific uses and essential tips for proper sizing.

Horse owners will also find valuable info on how to securely tie a horse, along with tips for managing problem behaviors, using hobbles and more.

🔗 Get the details: https://brnw.ch/21wPVfy