MU Extension in Saline County

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/21x3uex

06/18/2026

Saline County Extension Office will be closed Friday, 6/19/26 for Juneteenth Holiday
We will open on Monday, 6/22/26 at 9:00 AM

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

We’re Hiring! Make a Difference in Our Local Communities

The University of Missouri Extension is seeking a Nutrition & Health Field Specialist to serve Carroll, Lafayette, Ray, and Saline Counties and help improve the health and well-being of Missourians.

In this role, you’ll:
✅ Deliver research-based education on nutrition, health, and physical activity
✅ Support individuals, families, and communities in living healthier lives
✅ Collaborate with partners and leaders to address local needs
✅ Create impactful programs that promote wellness and reduce chronic disease

Location: Carrollton, MO; serving Carroll, Lafayette, Ray, and Saline Counties.
Applications will be reviewed at the end of June.

If you’re passionate about community health, education, and making a real impact, help MU Extension educate, connect, and create lasting change!
👉 Visit https://extension.missouri.edu/about-us/extension-jobs and click on Job ID 59739 (Carroll County Location) to apply.

If you encounter problems accessing the applications please call the Campus help desk at 573.882.7976 or email [email protected]

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/21x3qm5

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.

06/16/2026

Congratulations Karlea!

Opportunity of a Lifetime for Saline County 4-H’er

This November, twenty Missouri 4-H delegates will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at National 4-H Congress. During the event, youth will connect with peers from across the country while participating in educational workshops, service-learning projects, and tours of Atlanta’s most notable landmarks.

Local club involvement, county programs, and statewide 4-H events all play an important role in preparing teens for national opportunities like this. “National Congress is a great leadership and educational experience,” said Emily Bergsieker, Saline County 4-H Youth Specialist. “I am excited that our 4-H youth have the opportunity to earn this once-in-a-lifetime trip.”

Selection as a National 4-H Congress delegate is a significant achievement. Missouri 4-H members must complete the Level 3 State Excellence Award process, which includes submitting applications and participating in interviews in Columbia. The top twenty applicants are chosen and announced during the closing ceremonies of the State 4-H Congress.

This year, Karlea Bolser of Saline County was selected as one of the delegates. Karlea is grateful for the opportunity and looks forward to developing leadership skills and connecting with fellow 4-H members from across the nation. Karlea is a member of the Lucky Leaf 4-H Club and is the daughter of Don and Karen Bolser.

To be selected as a delegate to National 4-H Congress, Missouri 4-H’ers must complete the Level 3 State Excellence Award process. Each year finalist travel to Columbia to complete their interviews. The top twenty applicants are selected and announced at closing ceremonies during State 4-H Congress.

Congratulations to Karlea!

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/21x3mr6

Consult the W**d ID Guide for additonal photo of Poison Hemlock and Queen Anne's Lace: https://brnw.ch/21x3mr5

06/12/2026