MU Extension in Atchison 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/21x3ufh

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/21x3qk5

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

🚨 We’re Hiring in Atchison County! 🚨

The University of Missouri Extension 4-H is seeking a part-time Youth Program Associate in Atchison County, MO 🎓🍀

🍀 Help plan and support the Missouri 4-H youth program in Atchison County
🍀 Build partnerships with schools & community groups
🍀 Empower youth through leadership, STEM, healthy living, and more!

📍 Location: Rock Port, MO
⏰ 20 hours/week

If you’re passionate about positive youth development and want to make a difference in your community, we’d love to hear from you!

👉 Apply here: https://extension.missouri.edu/about-us/extension-jobs

🍀

06/16/2026

If the heat is making you feel anxious, irritable, or completely drained, you aren't imagining things. Extreme heat stresses the brain, spikes stress hormones, and ruins sleep. Listen to your body today: slow down, drink water, and find some shade or AC. Mental health is health!

Know the warning symptoms and what to do if you or a loved one shows signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. See below for more info. 👇

Heat related deaths and illnesses are preventable.

👉🏼 Learn now: https://bit.ly/3XeGiVI

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/21x3mrc

Consult the W**d ID Guide for additonal photo of Poison Hemlock and Queen Anne's Lace: https://brnw.ch/21x3mrb

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/21x3iHb

06/11/2026

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/21x3ha1