MU Extension in Franklin County

MU Extension in Franklin County MU Extension empowers people to improve their lives, businesses and communities by providing practical, relevant, and research-based educational strategies.

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People move every day for school, work, retirement and family, bringing new perspectives that shape communities. From 20...
06/23/2026

People move every day for school, work, retirement and family, bringing new perspectives that shape communities. From 2020 to 2025, net migration grew the average U.S. county population by 2.5 percent.

In Missouri, counties gained an average of 2.1 percent of their population from net migration during that same period. Nonmetro counties saw larger gains, 2.8 percent compared to 1.8 percent in metro areas. Some counties, including Lincoln, Hickory, Benton and Ozark, saw especially large increases.

While all residents value community ties and health care access, newer residents place more emphasis on broadband access, arts and outdoor recreation. Understanding these differences can help communities plan for growth and better meet changing needs.

The Soybean Growth Monitoring biweekly report for 2026 is now available, offering timely updates on crop development acr...
06/22/2026

The Soybean Growth Monitoring biweekly report for 2026 is now available, offering timely updates on crop development across the state. Using crop growth models and weather data, the report helps farmers understand how conditions are impacting soybean growth and potential yield before harvest.

This season, heavy and uneven rainfall has already slowed planting and early growth in many areas. The report provides insight into how these conditions may affect emergence, nodulation and overall plant health, while also supporting in-season decisions like whether replanting is worth the risk.

With new updates released every two weeks, this resource is designed to give producers the information they need to adapt throughout the growing season.

Download the free biweekly report: https://brnw.ch/21x3y6o

Support the mental well-being of youth in your community.Attend the Youth Mental Health First Aid virtual training on Ju...
06/19/2026

Support the mental well-being of youth in your community.

Attend the Youth Mental Health First Aid virtual training on June 30. This course is designed to help adults recognize and respond to signs of mental health challenges in young people.

You'll learn how to:
• Assess for risk of su***de or harm
• Listen without judgment
• Give reassurance and information
• Encourage professional help• Encourage self-help and other support strategies

This training is ideal for parents, educators, coaches, youth program staff and anyone who works with or cares about young people.

Register and learn more: https://brnw.ch/21x3ufU

Parents of teen drivers – You are invited!First Impact offers a FREE 90-minute evidence-based traffic safety program tha...
06/18/2026

Parents of teen drivers – You are invited!

First Impact offers a FREE 90-minute evidence-based traffic safety program that educates parents about Missouri’s Graduated Driver License law. Attendance is perfect for parents of teen drivers, ages 14 - 19 and new & soon to be drivers. First Impact aims to eliminate motor vehicle fatalities and injuries among teens. It further attempts to reduce teen-involved crashes by increasing parental awareness and enforcement of Missouri's GDL law.

June 22, 2026
St. Clair Library
6-7:30 PM
Speakers:
Art Amato, MO Eastern Region Law Enforcement Liaison
Carol Hoormann, First Impact MO

Questions: Carol 314-496-0110
Register:
https://scenicregional.librarycalendar.com/event/safe-driving-101-parents-and-their-teens-47894

The Franklin County Extension office will be closed Friday in observance of Juneteenth. We will reopen with normal busin...
06/18/2026

The Franklin County Extension office will be closed Friday in observance of Juneteenth. We will reopen with normal business hours on Monday, June 22nd.

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.

06/17/2026

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.

Those tall plants with delicate white flowers popping up along roadsides and field edges may look harmless. They are not...
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/21x3mqb

Consult the W**d ID Guide for additonal photo of Poison Hemlock and Queen Anne's Lace: https://brnw.ch/21x3mqa

Want to stay independent, active, and confident as you age?Join the next online session of Stay Strong, Stay Healthy — L...
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/21x3iGA

Address

100 Union Plaza Drive
Union, MO
63084

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(636) 583-5141

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