MU Extension in Texas County

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/21x3ud6

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/21x3msA

Consult the W**d ID Guide for additonal photo of Poison Hemlock and Queen Anne's Lace: https://brnw.ch/21x3msz

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/21x3iGm

If your home has been impacted by recent flooding, here are a few important steps to take:

• Stay safe. Avoid standing water, as it may be contaminated or electrically charged
• Document damage with photos for insurance purposes
• Begin drying out your home as soon as it is safe to do so to prevent mold growth
• Discard any food that has come into contact with floodwater

Download the guide: Resources for Your Flooded Home for more details: https://brnw.ch/21x3gNb.

For more guidance on cleanup, safety and next steps, visit the flood resource page: https://brnw.ch/21x3gNa

Japanese beetles are beginning to emerge in Missouri.

Populations are low now but activity is expected to increase over the next two to four weeks. Early scouting helps guide timely management decisions.

What to look for:
• In soybeans, check multiple areas and estimate overall defoliation. Beetles often feed in the upper canopy, leaving a skeletonized look where only leaf veins remain.
• In corn, watch for beetles feeding on silks during pollination. Pay attention if silks are clipped very short, especially when beetle numbers are high and pollination is not complete.

Learn more and sign up to receive pest alerts: https://brnw.ch/21x3eSj

Show Me Neighborhood Art Month is in full swing, inviting you to see how art brings communities together and strengthens a sense of place.

Be a part of the process and explore local displays in person or view photos online, then vote for your favorite and support the work that resonates most with you.

Access a map of where the art displays are located and vote for your top three by the end of the month: https://brnw.ch/21x3dom