NI23SLBCXXXXG036↗

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI EXTENSION STRIVES TO BETTER THE LIVES OF MISSOURIANS THROUGH PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON ACHIEVING IMPACTS IN AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT; 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT; FAMILY, NUTRITION AND CONSUMER SCIENCES; BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY; AND HEALTH AND SAFETY. WE DEVELOP AND DELIVER HIGH PRIORITY RESEARCH PROJECTS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS NEEDS IDENTIFIED BY OUR STAKEHOLDERS. WE REACH NEARLY A MILLION MISSOURIANS EVERY YEAR THROUGH CAMPUS FACULTY AND COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICES WORKING THROUGHOUT THE STATE'S 114 COUNTIES AND THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS. WE INCORPORATE THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY INTO INNOVATIVE SERVICE AND PRODUCT DELIVERY SYSTEMS, ONLINE RESOURCES FOR OUR STAKEHOLDERS, AND DATA MAPPING, VISUALIZATION, AND REPORTING TOOLS. FUNDING FROM COMPETITIVE GRANTS, GIFTS, AND FEE GENERATION EXCEED THE RESOURCES APPROPRIATED FROM OUR STATE, FEDERAL, AND COUNTY PARTNERS. OUR GOAL IS TO BE RELIABLE, RESPONSIVE AND RELEVANT. WE ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL BY PROVIDING RESEARCH-BASED KNOWLEDGE TO MISSOURIANS ALIGNED WITH THEIR PRIORITIES OF IMPROVING COMMUNITY ECONOMIES, HEALTH, AND EDUCATION OUTCOMES. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY WE SEEK TO DEVELOP INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS FOR ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL GROW OPPORTUNITIES FOR MISSOURIANS, ENGAGE MISSOURIANS IN ATTAINING SKILLS AND CREDENTIALS, EXPAND THE UNIVERSITY'S ECONOMIC IMPACT, AND WILL DOUBLE THE AGRICULTURE ECONOMY BY 2030 WHILE SUSTAINING NATURAL RESOURCES. OUTSIDE OF MISSOURI'S MAJOR URBAN CENTERS IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO SUSTAIN AN ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM CONDUCIVE TO THE GROWTH OF LOCALLY OWNED SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISES. MU EXTENSION'S CREATING ENTREPRENEURIAL COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE CREATES A STATEWIDE NETWORK OF COMMUNITIES FOCUSED ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRONG ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEMS. BY BRINGING TOGETHER COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, BUSINESS LEADERS AND POLICYMAKERS TO SHARE EVIDENCE-BASED BEST PRACTICES AND IDEAS, THIS CONFERENCE PROMOTES RESILIENCY, SUSTAINABILITY, JOB GROWTH, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE OF MISSOURI. CONFERENCE SESSIONS ARE EMBEDDED IN SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE HOST COMMUNITY SO PARTICIPANTS CAN SEE, IN REAL TIME, THE IMPACT OF GOOD POLICYMAKING AND IMPLEMENTATION ON A COMMUNITY'S ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM. THE MISSOURI BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER FOR AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTRY, ESTABLISHED THROUGH FUNDING FROM THE CARES ACT, IS A CO LLABORATIVE PROGRAM THAT BRINGS NEW ENTREPRENEURS INTO THE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SPACE. THE CENTER BRINGS TOGETHER THE BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES OF THE MISSOURI SBDC AND THE RESEARCH-BASED, AGRICULTURE-SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE OF MU EXTENSION. IN 2021, THE MISSOURI BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER FOR AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND FORESTRY PROVIDED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND EXPERTISE TO OVER 300 MISSOURI PRODUCERS AND AGRIBUSINESSES. THOSE AGRI-ENTREPRENEURS ATTRACTED MORE THAN $40M IN PRIVATE LOANS AND GRANTS AND CREATED AT LEAST 500 NEW JOBS. MU EXTENSION'S AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM INTENDS TO DOUBLE THE VALUE OF AGRICULTURE IN MISSOURI BY 2030 WHILE SUSTAINING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES ARE A MAJOR THREAT TO THAT GOAL. TWO SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES (SOLUTION-BASED) THAT ADDRESS THESE ISSUES ARE 1) HARNESS DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES TO REDUCE THE LABOR AND NUMBER OF ENTITIES BETWEEN FOOD PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS 2) TRAIN FARMERS, FARM WORKERS, AND OTHERS IN THE FOOD SYSTEM ABOUT HOW TO USE THOSE TECHNOLOGIES. WE RETOOLED OUR MEAT TEAM TO FOCUS ON WORKER TRAINING FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED PROCESSORS. TWO NEW, CUSTOMIZED MOBILE TRAINING UNITS WILL ARRIVE IN MISSOURI IN MARCH 2022. THOSE STATE-OF-THE-ART UNITS DEMONSTRATE THE NEWEST TECHNOLOGIES. WE HAVE A WAITING LIST OF PROCESSORS WHO WANT US TO TRAIN LOCAL WORKERS. WE EXPANDED OUR WORK IN PRECISION AGRICULTURE TO HELP FARMERS AND PROCESSORS EMPLOY DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES. THE TECHNOLOGIES REQUIRE LESS MUNDANE LABOR AND GIVE GREATER MANAGERIAL FLEXIBILITY. THINK ROBOTS, DRONES, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND A CONNECTED FOOD SYSTEM. OUR TRAINING IN DIGITAL AGRICULTURE COVERS INNOVATIONS IN PLANT AND ANIMAL SCIENCES AS WELL AS FOOD PROCESSING. OUR AG BUSINESS AND POLICY TEAM HELPS FARMERS COPE WITH SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND FIND POSSIBLE PATHS TO DIRECT MARKETING. THAT SHORTENS THE SUPPLY CHAIN AND ADDS RESILIENCY TO THE FOOD SYSTEM. MU EXTENSION'S COMMUNITY HEALTH ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH AND LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ARE CURRENTLY WORKING AT THE INTERSECTION OF SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. MU EXTENSION IS CREATING CAPACITY AND DEVELOPING THE FRAMEWORK AND GUIDELINES FOR TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO BUSINESSES AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS TO BE DESIGNATED AS RECOVERY-FRIENDLY WORKPLACES. EMPLOYERS AND BUSINESSES - BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS WILL INCREASE THEIR UNDERSTANDING ABOUT SUBSTANCE MISUSE, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, AND THEIR CONNECTION TO WORKFORCE CHALLENGES THROUGH TRAININGS, A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND THE CREATION AND SHARING OF RESOURCES; CREATE A NETWORK OF BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS INTERESTED IN CREATING HEALTHY AND SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENTS WHERE EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES, AND COMMUNITIES CAN COLLABORATE TO CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE, ELIMINATE STIGMA AND SUPPORT RECOVERY; AND, RETAIN A HEALTHIER, MORE PRODUCTIVE, AND MORE MOTIVATED WORKFORCE THROUGH THE DELIVERY OF HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES. HEALTH AND HEALTHY FUTURES WE SEEK TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF MISSOURI COMMUNITIES AND INCREASE POSITIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES THROUGH EDUCATION RELATED TO NUTRITION AND OTHER HEALTH BEHAVIORS. OUR FALL RISK REDUCTION PROGRAMS ARE NEEDED FOR MISSOURI'S LARGE AND GROWING OLDER ADULT POPULATION. SUPPORTING AND OFFERING FALL PREVENTION PROGRAMS THROUGH MU EXTENSION AND OUR PARTNER NETWORK ALLOWS US TO ENGAGE MORE OLDER ADULTS IN EVIDENCE-BASED FALL PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS WHICH DECREASE FALLING, THE FEAR OF FALLING, INCREASE ACTIVITY LEVELS, AND IMPROVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE. THESE SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES OFTEN LEAD TO LONG-TERM BENEFITS, SUCH AS INCREASED INDEPENDENCE, LONGEVITY, AND REDUCED ECONOMIC BURDEN. THROUGH THIS PROJECT WE HAVE REDUCED THE PERCENTAGE OF OLDER ADULTS WHO REPORT FALLING IN MISSOURI, REDUCED THE NUMBER OF INJURIES RELATED TO FALLS, DECREASED THE NUMBER OF OLDER ADULTS WHO FEAR FALLING, REDUCED MEDICAL CARE COSTS, AND INCREASED THE NUMBER OF OLDER ADULTS MEETING THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES. RURAL MISSOURI IS FACING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, FUELED BY GROWING ECONOMIC AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES THAT ARE SEVERELY AFFECTING THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY. THESE STRESSORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO SUBSTANTIAL AND CRITICAL MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AMONG RURAL MISSOURIANS, ESPECIALLY FARMERS AND RANCHERS. DESPITE THE CLEAR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF RURAL MISSOURIANS, TOOLS AND SUPPORT ARE OFTEN LIMITED. OUR FARM AND RANCH STRESS PROGRAMS USE FIELD TESTED WORKSHOPS, RURAL PARTICIPANTS WERE EQUIPPED WITH THE TOOLS TO IMPROVE THEIR OWN MENTAL HEALTH, WERE CONNECTED TO USEFUL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND WERE GIVEN FREE ACCESS TO ONE-ON-ONE TELEPSYCHOLOGY (ONLINE THERAPY) SESSIONS. OUR STAY STRONG, STAY HEALTHY RESISTANCE TRAINING PROGRAM, HAS BEEN SHOWN TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE MUSCLE STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY, AND BALANCE IN OLDER ADULTS OF ALL AGES AND FITNESS LEVELS. THIS IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED RESISTANCE TRAINING PROGRAM THAT IS AFFORDABLE, A CCESSIBLE, AND HIGHLY BENEFICIAL TO A LARGE PROPORTION OF OLDER ADULTS. SOCIAL JUSTICE MU EXTENSION WORKS TOWARD SOCIAL JUSTICE BY PROVIDING RESEARCHED-BASED AND EVIDENCED-BASED EDUCATION, SERVICES, AND SUPPORT IN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, NUTRITION, HOME <(>&<)> FAMILIES, HEALTH AND SAFETY, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, AND WORKFORCE READINESS. IN ADDITION, WE ARE EMPOWERING RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES TO ADVOCATE FOR CHANGES TO ADDRESS THE INEQUITIES THAT PLAGUE THEIR LIVES AND COMMUNITIES. ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES MU EXTENSION FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE INITIATIVES SUCH AS MISSOURI MASTER NATURALIST, MISSOURI MASTER POLLINATOR STEWARD, MISSOURI NATIVE GRASS EXTENSION PROJECT, CONTROLLING NUISANCE WILDLIFE PROGRAM, AND MISSOURI FERAL HOG EXTENSION PROJECT, PROVIDE MISSOURI CITIZENS WITH RESEARCH-BASED INFORMATION THAT ENABLES INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS RELATED TO NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES ON THEIR PROPERTIES. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE THOSE THAT ENABLE VOLUNTEERS TO CONDUCT NATURAL RESOURCE EDUCATION AND STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES, EXPANDING THE CAPABILITY OF THE MU EXTENSION TO REACH GREATER NUMBERS OF CLIENTELE AND IMPACT AN INCREASING NUMBER OF ACRES FOR NATURAL RESOURCE BENEFITS. SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS NEW PROGRAMS, LIKE OUR AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION CENTER, INTEND TO BRING RESILIENCY TO THE FOOD SYSTEM WITH ENTREPRENEURSHIP. AND OUR LONG-SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS LIKE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT, GRAZING SCHOOLS, SHOW-ME-SELECT REPLACEMENT HEIFERS, AGRICULTURAL LENDERS SCHOOL, AND SO MANY OTHERS WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE BEST-IN-CLASS EXTENSION EDUCATION. ALL OUR PROGRAMS SEEK SUSTAINABILITY. ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS STRIVE FOR RESILIENCY THROUGH INNOVATION. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES (SOLUTION-BASED) THAT ADDRESS FOOD SYSTEM RESILIENCY ISSUES ARE DEVELOPING DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES TO REDUCE THE LABOR AND NUMBER OF ENTITIES BETWEEN FOOD PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS; AND TRAINING FOR FARMERS, FARM WORKERS, AND OTHERS IN THE FOOD SYSTEM ABOUT HOW TO USE THOSE TECHNOLOGIES. EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION WITH UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS MISSOURI 4-H SERVES MORE THAN 50,000 YOUTH, OFFERING MORE THAN 100 PROJECTS RELATED TO DIFFERENT FIELDS TO HELP THEM DISCOVER THEIR SPARK AND PASSION IN LIFE. MISSOURI 4-H IS TAKING A TWOFOLD APPROACH TO COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS. FIRST, COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PIECES ARE WOVEN INTO OUR REGULAR PROGRAMMING EVEN AT THE YOUNGEST AGES. THIS CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS DISCUSSING POSSIBLE CAREERS IN ENJOYED PROJECT AREAS AND BY WORKING ON SOFT SKILLS, SUCH AS INTERACTING WITH OTHERS AND LEARNING TO EXPRESS IDEAS. SECONDLY, THE YOUTH FUTURES PROGRAM OFFERS YOUTH WHO FACE OBSTACLES THAT MIGHT MAKE SUCCESS SEEM OUT OF REACH THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE COLLEGE AS AN ATTAINABLE GOAL. MISSOURI 4-H YOUTH FUTURES IS AN EXTENSIVE COLLEGE ORIENTATION PROGRAM THAT PROMOTES COLLEGE AS AN ATTAINABLE GOAL FOR HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH WHO MAY NOT NECESSARILY CONSIDER COLLEGE AS AN OPTION, SUCH AS FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS. THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO HELP YOUTH PREPARE FOR, ENROLL IN AND GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE. YOUTH WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE 4-H STATE AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS LEARN ABOUT COLLEGE AND CAREER PATHWAYS RELATING TO AGRICULTURE AND GAIN THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THESE AREAS.

Formula Grant (A) · National Institute of Food and Agriculture · to University of Missouri System (UEI SZPJL5ZRCLF4) · data as of 2026-09-30

Source: USAspending.gov prime award transactions and FSRS subaward reports, as loaded by SpendQuery (data as of 2026-09-30). Amounts are obligations (money committed), not outlays. The official record on USAspending.gov ↗