Day: February 18, 2022

Missouri 4-H youths and volunteers can learn about common Missouri crops, insects, diseases, disorders, weeds and pesticide safety through a new 4-H Crop Scouting program.

The inaugural event is July 19 at University of Missouri’s Bradford Farm, about 8 miles east of Columbia. “Missouri 4-H is very excited to be bringing state-level opportunities to youth who are involved in agronomy and plant science projects,” said Maria Calvert, MU Extension state 4-H agriculture and natural resources educator.

“This is an area that has needed to grow, and with the help of our MU Extension colleagues we will be able to offer a great opportunity for young people to develop and test their knowledge and skills in this area,” Calvert said.

“We have extension specialists at the state and regional levels who are eager to connect with the next generation,” said Mandy Bish, MU Extension integrated pest management coordinator. “These specialists focus on solutions to common Missouri agronomic problems, and this event will provide a great opportunity for these MU experts to interact with future agriculture professionals.”

For more information, visit muext.us/CropScouting4H.

Day 1 results from the Boys State Wrestling Tournament.

 BUTLER

 Brendin Patrick:

Won by pin over Trenton.

 Isaac Rodriguez:

 Lost in a Tiebreaker 2-1 to St. Pius X.

Won by Decision 5-1 over Polo.

Triston Trumbore:

 Won by Major Decision 13-2 over Rock Port.

 ADRIAN

> Justice Vickers:

> Lost by pin to Lathrop.

> Won by pin over STEAM Academy.

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> Michael McCoy:

> Won by Decision 3-1 over Mid-Buchanan.

> 

> Jence Griffith:

> Won by pin over Notre Dame.

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> William Brown: 

> Won by pin over St. Francis Borgia.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced the Department is extending to March 9, 2022, the application deadline for funding to expand access to high-speed internet for millions of rural Americans nationwide. USDA is making the funding available under the ReConnect Program.

“Helping ensure that everyone who lives and works in rural America has access to high-speed internet is one of the Biden-Harris Administration’s top priorities,” Torres Small said. “Today’s extension of the ReConnect Program deadline will help ensure that all applicants have the time they need to secure this critical funding. I encourage all eligible parties to apply for this assistance.”

Through this funding opportunity, USDA is making available $200 million in ReConnect Program loans, $250 million in loan/grant combinations, $350 million in grants with a 25% matching requirement, and $350 million in grants with no matching requirement for Tribes and projects in socially vulnerable communities.

USDA’s actions to help expand broadband access in rural areas are key components of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to help America Build Back Better in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please see the Federal Register to review full details of this ReConnect Program funding opportunity.

In the coming months, USDA plans to begin making available the additional $2 billion in rural broadband funding allocated to USDA by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Background: ReConnect Program

To be eligible for ReConnect Program funding, an applicant must serve an area without broadband service at speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) (download) and 20 Mbps (upload) and commit to building facilities capable of providing broadband service at speeds of 100 Mbps (download and upload) to every location in its proposed service area.

In making funding decisions, USDA will prioritize projects that will serve low-density rural areas with locations lacking internet access services at speeds of at least 25 Mbps (download) and 3 Mbps (upload). USDA will also consider, among other things, the economic needs of the community to be served; the extent to which a provider will offer affordable service options; a project’s commitment to strong labor standards; and whether a project is serving Tribal lands or is submitted by a local government, Tribal Government, nonprofit or cooperative.

To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, visit www.rd.usda.gov or contact the nearest USDA Rural Development state office.

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.

MDC does not recommend regulation changes to minimum length limits and daily limits for blue and flathead catfish in Mississippi and Missouri rivers, and part of St. Francis River.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) announced in February that it does not recommend regulation changes to minimum length limits and daily limits for blue and flathead catfish in the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and a small portion of the St. Francis River. The decision follows research by MDC and results of public input.

MDC sought public input this past summer on potential regulation changes for recreational fishing of blue catfish and flathead catfish on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. One potential change would have established a minimum length limit of 18, 21, or 24 inches for recreational fishing of blue catfish and flathead catfish on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Currently there is no minimum length limit. A second potential regulation change would have maintained the current recreational-fishing daily limit of five blue catfish per day on the Missouri River but establish that only one blue catfish over 30-inches in length may be kept as a part of that limit.

MDC also sought public comments this past summer on establishing a minimum length limit of 18, 21, or 24 inches for commercial fishing of blue catfish and flathead catfish on the Mississippi and St. Francis rivers. The current minimum length limit is 15-inches.

MDC received more than 400 public comments with strong support for keeping regulations as they are.

The public input followed several years of related research by MDC. MDC population assessment studies for blue and flathead catfish in the Mississippi and Missouri rivers found that populations of both fishes were generally healthy and the fisheries sustainable under current management. MDC studies confirmed that current management approaches continue to support healthy and sustainable blue catfish and flathead catfish populations in the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, and regulation changes do not appear to be necessary to maintain these populations or prevent overfishing.