October News

I seem to start every article with some comment on the situation of Bootheel agriculture and I don’t think that an article in October can be much different. The farmers in our area are working some long hours getting on with the fall harvest. I see fields of cotton “white unto harvest.” There are a few acres of corn to bring in from the fields. The soybean fields of southeast Missouri are ready for the movement of the combines. Finally, that “new” crop, peanuts, they’re being dug, laid out to dry, and harvested.

Yes, it’s a busy time for farmers, but it is a very busy time in MU Extension as well. We’ve just finished fair season, October is the beginning of the new year in 4-H, and this month is time for Extension and Engagement Week 2021. We have an annual meeting during the month and do our best to prepare to assist Missouri citizens for the next year.

The University of Missouri is excited about next week’s opening of the NextGen Precision Health building which is a state-of-the-art facility on the Columbia, Missouri campus. NextGen is available to all UM System researchers. It is located adjacent to MU Health Care and Truman VA hospitals. The NextGen laboratory is a world-class facility that brings expert health researchers and clinicians together to search for solutions to the world’s greatest health challenges. If you want more information just Google NextGen Precision Healthcare. The opportunities are mind-boggling.

Continue to be aware that it is breast-cancer awareness month. Self-examinations and mammograms are very important and early detection is the key. (The ‘pink’ cotton modules are great reminders.)

I know young people are looking forward to the free candy that comes at the end of the month. Halloween.

Have a great rest of the month. Get outside and enjoy the rest of this fall season. Some beautiful days are still here. All the major sports are in full swing MLB, NFL, NHL, and pre-season NBA. New movies are finally coming back to theatres. (Only 2 months till Christmas)

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