Boone » Extension on the Go

Salt – More Than Just a Pinch

Bates, Boone, Cass, Health, Nutrition No Responses »

Jul 192012

Episode 41 - Salt [ 6 min 50 s ] Download

“Give neither counsel nor salt till you are asked for it” ~ Italian Proverb (Photo by Bruno Sersocima)

Whether it’s added to morning eggs, or part of the crunchy taste of potato chips, we love salt. It’s actually the ultimate spice because our taste buds respond to salt and open up making everything taste better. The problem is we’ve moved salt from a flavor enhancer to a habit with medical consequences.

The good news there are ways to kick a salt obsession. Just a little behavior modification can train taste buds to savour other flavors.

Today’s guests are nutrition specialist Tammy Roberts, human environmental sciences specialist Ellen Schuster and nutrition specialist Susan Mills-Gray. All three are with University of Missouri Extension

More tips and information:

Decreasing Salt Can Decrease Blood Pressure

Is Sea Salt Healthier Than Table Salt?

Is There a Salt That’s Healthy?

They’re Back!!! – Japanese Beetles Arrive Early

Boone, Home and Garden No Responses »

Jun 092012

Episode 39 - Japanese Beetles [ 3 min 57 s ] Download

“In a purely technical sense, each species of higher organism—beetle, moss, and so forth, is richer in information than a Caravaggio painting, Mozart symphony, or any other great work of art.” ~ Edward O. Wilson

Munching and crunching Japanese beetles are arriving early this year. The mild winter and warm spring are waking the grubs ahead of schedule. But, Mother Nature can give with one hand and take with the other. This year’s Midwest dry conditions could be bad news for these plant pests. We’ll find out, over the next couple of weeks, whether we’re facing a feeding frenzy, or manageable numbers.

Today’s guest is Wayne Bailey, entomologist for University of Missouri Extension.

Get more information about the Japanese beetle

Fungus and Bacteria – Invading Trees this Spring

Boone, Home and Garden No Responses »

May 222012

Episode 36 - Anthracnose and Fire Blight [ 6 min 52 s ] Download

Anthracnose on maple (Photo by Debbie Johnson)

Fire blight on Bradford pear (Photo by Roger Meissen)

‘Tis the season for tree diseases thanks to cool temperatures and rain. Some are serious, others look worse than they are.

The two main springtime invaders are anthracnose, a fungal disease and fire blight, a bacterial disease. Anthracnose creates black or brown splotches on the leaves and it attacks maples, dogwoods, sycamores and oaks. Fire blight causes severe wilting and die-back on the tips of branches and it often affects pear, quince, apple, crabapple and firethorns.

Today’s guest is Chris Starbuck, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension.

More information on anthracnose.

More information on fire blight.

Adding Fertilizer to Your Lawn Could Be Dinner Bell for Fungal Diseases

Boone, Home and Garden No Responses »

May 152012

Episode 35 - Lawn Fungal Diseases [ 5 min 27 s ] Download

Large patch on zoysiagrass (Photo by Kent Faddis)

Cool spring weather and moisture are perfect conditions for two troublesome lawn diseases. Brown patch is a fungal disease that attacks tall fescue. Large patch is a fungus that goes after zoysiagrass. Both diseases spread rapidly if you encourage new growth by adding fertilizer.

Today’s guest is Lee Miller, turf grass pathologist for University of Missouri Extension.

You can find additional information on lawn diseases from MU Extension.

Warm Temperature Trend Continued in April – May Rainfall Uncertain

Boone, Weather No Responses »

May 072012

Episode 34 - April-May Weather Recap and Outlook [ 5 min 20 s ] Download

A possible rare weather event, showers for some, not enough rain for others, and a couple of chilly days are just part of April’s weather picture in the Show-Me State.

May in Missouri should continue the several-month trend of above average temperatures. Historically, May is Missouri’s wettest month, but there’s still uncertainty whether that will be the case for May 2012.

"Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain." ~ Author Unknown (Map from High Plains Regional Climate Center; Data compiled by Pat Guinan)

Today’s guest is Pat Guinan, climatologist for University of Missouri Extension

You can find lots of interesting weather tidbits at the Missouri Climate Center.

Disconnect to Reconnect with Life

Boone, Family, Health No Responses »

May 012012

Episode 33 - National Screen-Free Week [ 7 min 05 s ] Download

"Technology makes it possible for people to gain control over everything, except technology." ~ John Tudor (Photo by Christoph van der Bij)

This week is National Screen-Free Week. It’s a time for all of us to take a good look at the amount of time spent with screens. Smart phones, tablets, e-readers and all other “screen” devices take hours away from other activities such as spending time with family and friends. Don’t think “screen time” is a problem? Consider this: From January to March 2012, more iPhone were sold than babies were born worldwide.

Do you think you could do without devices for a week? How about a day? Could you put them down for a few hours? Why not give it a try. The life you discover may be your own.

Today’s guests are Sara Gable, State Extension Specialist in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology and Robin Gammon, Program Manager for the Stay Strong, Stay Healthy program. Both are with University of Missouri Extension.

University of Missouri Extension has some fun suggestions for non-screen activities on their Play More, Watch Less page.

Aging Gracefully

Boone, Health, St. Charles No Responses »

Apr 112012

Episode 31 - Exercise and Older Adults [ 4 min 40 s ] Download

"Aging has you firmly in its grasp if you lose the urge to throw a snowball." ~ Doug Larson (Photo by Pierre Amerlynck)

Everyone, no matter the age or condition, can benefit from exercise. On the other hand, you have a lot to lose if you’re not active. Want to ward off the negative aspects of aging? Then regular physical activity is your best option.

Today’s guests are Linda Rellergert, nutrition specialist for University of Missouri Extension and Stephen Ball, exercise physiologist for MU Extension.

Check out Exercise for the Older Adult

Click the link: Stay Strong, Stay Healthy to learn more.

Summer Garden Superstars: Warm Season Vegetables

Boone, Home and Garden No Responses »

Mar 262012

Episode 30 - Warm Season Vegetables [ 6 min 35 s ] Download

"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides." ~ W.E. Johns (Photo by Marta Sobo)

There is nothing that says summer like tasty tomatoes, succulent sweet corn and cool cucumbers. But don’t stop there. Vegetables that thrive in the heat of summer include green beans, eggplant, okra, peppers and squash. Now that spring is officially here, it’s time to begin planning your summer garden.

Today’s guest is David Trinklein, horticulture specialist for University of Missouri Extension.

You can find lots of vegetable information from MU Extension guide sheet G5400

Make Taxes Less Taxing

Boone, Personal Finance No Responses »

Mar 202012

Episode 29 - VITA Program [ 5 min 00 s ] Download

"In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." ~ Benjamin Franklin (Photo by Jessica Salmond)

Income tax preparation means navigating the twists and eddies of Internal Revenue Service language like earned income tax credit, married-filing jointly, child and dependent care tax credit, education tax breaks and a morass of other terms and designations that can leave the average head swimming.

Today’s guests are Brenda Procter, consumer and family economics specialist for University of Missouri Extension…and Andrew Zumwalt… MU Extension Associate State Specialist for Financial Planning.

To find a VITA site near you, visit the IRS website.

You can also find information from the Missouri Taxpayer Education program, or MO-Tax.

February-March Temperatures More Lamb than Lion

Boone, Weather No Responses »

Mar 122012

Episode 28 - February-March Temperatures More Lamb than Lion [ 6 min 06 s ] Download

"Rainbows apologize for angry skies." ~ Sylvia Voirol

March was originally the first month of the Roman calendar and named after Mars, the god of war. In 1752, we changed to the Gregorian calendar, and the first month of the year moved to January.

When it comes to weather, March tends to be a frustrating month. It’s so near to spring, and yet can swing violently between fair and foul weather.

Today’s guest is Pat Guinan, Climatologist for University of Missouri Extension.

You can get regional weather from KOMU-TV.

National weather can be found at the NOAA site.