MU Extension in Cole County

06/18/2026

Fact or hype? We’re putting summer insect myths to the test.

Do wasps really sting for no reason, or is it just their reputation talking? And are pesticides driving the decline of fireflies?

Watch as MU Extension's bug expert breaks down common questions and separates fact from hype.

06/18/2026

Butterfly House Tours

Join the Heart of Missouri Master Gardeners for an evening at Jefferson Farm and Garden.

Stop by Tuesday, June 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. at 4800 E. New Haven Road in Columbia for guided tours of the butterfly house, the All-America Selections garden and the demonstration garden. Explore what’s in bloom, gather ideas for your own landscape and connect with local gardening experts.

All are welcome to attend.

06/17/2026

Three online sessions will be offered and cover concerns regarding select wildlife populations including turkeys. The importance of upland oak forests and their condition for wildlife. Actions landowners can take to improve conditions for wildlife will be discussed with Morgan County landowner David Haake. The event is free and supported by MU Extension, the Forest and Woodland Association of Missouri and partially funded by the National Wild Turkey Federation. https://extension.missouri.edu/events/oaks-and-wildlife?

Event information for Oaks and Wildlife

06/17/2026

Your tomatoes might just need a gentle shake to thrive. Try lightly shaking flowers. It helps with pollination and is a great chore for young gardeners.

Learn more about growing homegrown tomatoes: https://brnw.ch/21x3qkd

06/16/2026

Meet Brad Coleman, a MU Extension 4-H field specialist in southeast Missouri, who is helping youth take the next step toward their future.

Through the Youth Futures College to Career Readiness program, Brad empowers young people with essential skills like resume writing, completing job applications and practicing mock interviews, while guiding them toward the careers they aspire to achieve.

06/15/2026

Those tall plants with delicate white flowers popping up along roadsides and field edges may look harmless. They are not. Poison hemlock is a toxic plants in Missouri and every part of it is poisonous, whether green or dried. This plant spreads aggressively, with a single plant producing up to 38,000 seeds.

How to identify poison hemlock:
• Height: Can reach 6 feet or taller
• Stems: Smooth, hollow, hairless with distinctive purple blotches or streaks
• Leaves: Fern-like, finely divided, with a strong unpleasant odor when crushed
• Flowers: Small white flowers in umbrella-shaped clusters
• Growth cycle: Low rosette the first year, tall flowering plant the second year
• Poison hemlock is often confused with Queen Anne’s lace, but that plant is shorter, hairy and not toxic

How to get rid of it safely:
• Hand removal: Only for small infestations and with full protective clothing
• Mowing or tillage: Can help reduce spread
• Herbicides: Most effective in the early rosette stage before flowering

Safety tips:
• Wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection when handling
• Avoid inhaling plant material during removal
• Never burn poison hemlock — inhalation can be dangerous
• If unsure, do not touch the plant

Get more info: https://brnw.ch/21x3msh

Consult the W**d ID Guide for additonal photo of Poison Hemlock and Queen Anne's Lace: https://brnw.ch/21x3msi

06/12/2026

Recent black bear sightings in Columbia, including a late-night appearance in a gym parking lot, are a reminder that Missouri’s black bear population is growing.
Missouri’s black bear population has climbed to around 1,000 animals and continues to expand beyond its core range in the Ozarks.

Black bears are generally considered less aggressive than grizzlies or brown bear species and are more likely to avoid people. But they are still large, powerful wild animals, and they can be dangerous if they feel threatened or become accustomed to human food.

If you see a bear:
• Keep your distance. Never approach and stay at least 100 yards away
• Do not run. Back away slowly and stay calm
• Make yourself known. Speak calmly and make noise so the bear can identify you
• Never feed a bear. Access to human food can make bears lose their natural fear of people
• Secure attractants like trash, pet food and bird seed

Most bear encounters can be avoided with simple precautions, and bears are rarely aggressive when given space.

Get more information: https://brnw.ch/21x3jkQ

06/12/2026

Want to stay independent, active, and confident as you age?

Join the next online session of Stay Strong, Stay Healthy — Level 2, starting June 22 at 3 p.m. This course builds on the progress you made in Level 1, helping you continue to build muscle, strengthen bone density and feel more confident in everyday movements, all guided by MU Extension specialists from the comfort of your home.

Classes meet Mondays and Wednesdays, June 22–August 12, from 3 – 4 p.m.

Keep moving forward this summer with a practical, supportive program that delivers real results.

Register and learn more: https://brnw.ch/21x3iHF

06/11/2026

Strawberry season is here in Missouri, making it the perfect time to enjoy fresh, local flavor.

Looking for a simple way to enjoy a quick, satisfying dessert? Try this one for a light, sweet treat you can make in individual servings in minutes.

Strawberries are not only sweet and versatile, they are also packed with nutrition. They are a great source of vitamin C, provide fiber and contain antioxidants that support overall health.

Find more recipes and make the most of strawberry season while it lasts: https://brnw.ch/21x3hat

06/11/2026

Interested in leasing your ag land or having custom work done? Join the Ag Leasing and 'What It's Worth' Program online, a five-session course designed to equip landowners and farm operators with knowledge and resources related to ag leasing and evaluating costs, including farmland values, custom rates and rental rates.
Whether a participant is a first-time farm operator or seasoned landowner, the information shared can aid in informed decision-making.
Participants meet at noon via Zoom on July 9, 16, 23, 30, and Aug. 6. Cost is $40.
Register for this virtual class: https://pears.io/events/mu/7487/