Extension on the Go

Convenience for a Price: Comparison Shopping Needed for Prepaid Debit Cards

Sep 112012

Episode 44 - Prepaid Debit Cards [ 5 min 41 s ] Download

I went to the bank and asked to borrow a cup of money. They said, “What for?” I said, “I’m going to buy some sugar.” ~ Steven Wright (Photo by Adriana Cal)

If you’re thinking about finding a prepaid debit card as an alternative to a checking account, don’t grab the first card offer you find. Many prepaid cards have no protection if the card is lost or stolen. Also, they are very lightly regulated and can carry a long list of fees. But, if you shop around, and read the fine print, you can find the right prepaid card for you.

Today’s guest is Brenda Procter, personal financial planning specialist for University of Missouri Extension

More information:

Emerald Ash Borer – There’s Time to Make Smart Decisions

Home and Garden No Responses »

Aug 282012

Episode 42 - Emerald Ash Borer [ 6 min 29 s ] Download

“Trees are as close to immortality as the rest of us ever come.” ~ Karen Joy Fowler (Photo by Debbie Miller with the USDA Forest Service)

It’s estimated that more than 50 million ash trees are dead or dying in the Midwest because of the emerald ash borer (EAB). The immature stage of EAB destroys the spongy tissue under the bark, causing the tree to starve to death. There is no need to panic and there’s time for homeowners to do their homework and make wise choices.

Today’s guest is Hank Stelzer, forestry specialist for University of Missouri Extension

To find additional information on the emerald ash borer visit the Missouri Emerald Ash Borer Program website

Extreme Summer Heat Makes Air Conditioner Maintenance a High Priority

Home and Garden, Webster No Responses »

Jul 272012

Episode 42 - Air Conditioner Maintenance [ 7 min 02 s ] Download

“It was luxuries like air conditioning that brought down the Roman Empire. With air conditioning their windows were shut, they couldn’t hear the barbarians coming.” ~ Garrison Keillor (Photo by Lance Palmer)

It’s been a sizzling summer here in the Midwest. Little rain and triple-digit temperatures have most of us hiding indoors with the air-conditioning running. A/C units are working hard to keep the heat at bay, so you need to pay attention to maintenance and upkeep. This week’s episode will give you some tips that can improve the A/C’s efficiency and save on energy costs.

Today’s guest is Robert Schultheis, natural resource engineering specialist for University of Missouri Extension.

More information:

Improving Indoor Air Quality

Improving Air Conditioner Efficiency

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?

Drought-Stricken Landscape Plants Need Immediate Rescue

Home and Garden, Weather No Responses »

Jul 062012

Episode 40 - Landscape Plants and Drought [ 5 min 58 s ] Download

“Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone.” ~ William Alexander (Photo by Chris Starbuck)

Drive through any Midwest neighborhood and you’ll see severe drought damage. Some trees ad shrubs have wilted and curled leaves. Others are losing the battle and showing brown, scorched leaves.

If you think you can wait for rain to rescue these struggling plants, you’re wrong. They need water, and they need it now.

Plant scientist Chris Starbuck is in the studio today and will explain how to rescue your landscape plants before it’s too late.

You can find more information about helping landscape plants during drought from the MU Extension webpage.

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

How Dry I Am – Midwest in the Grip of Flash Drought

Weather No Responses »

Jun 082012

Episode 38 - Midwest Drought [ 5 min 02 s ] Download

“The tree that cannot shed its old leaves in the dry season cannot survive the period of drought.” ~ Nigerian Proverb (Photo by Debbie Johnson)

The corn is curling, lawns are growing crunchy and landscape plants are showing signs of stress. They all need the same thing – rain. Day-after-day of cloudless skies and warm temperatures are pulling the moisture out of the soil and plants.

Parts of Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Illinois have seen little or no rain for several weeks. Agriculture is already feeling drought pressure since this is the time of year when crops germinate and lay down foundation roots. However, unless rain arrives home landscapes will suffer too and water rationing could be on the horizon.

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

Missouri Weather Resources

Don’t Let Uninvited Guests Tarnish Outdoor Cookouts

Bates, Health, Nutrition No Responses »

May 302012

Episode 37 - Grilling Safety [ 5 min 31 s ] Download

"The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook." ~ Julia Child (Photo by Lukas Patkan)

The transition between spring and summer is full of beautiful, blue-sky days. It’s the perfect time for picnics, camping and barbecues. But, there’s one problem with outdoor cooking. If you don’t use care with perishable foods, you, your family and friends could be battling food borne illness rather than having lots of fun.

Today’s guest is Tammy Roberts, nutrition specialist for University of Missouri Extension.

More food safety tips can be found on the Missouri Families webpage.

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.