Custom Sales Book - 24

Life in the fast lane
Last month, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approved highway construction that will result in the upgrading of U.S. Highway 71 to an interstate by the end of 2012. When finished, the stretch of the highway south of Kansas City to Joplin will be designated as Interstate 49. MoDOT hopes improving the highway will enhance economic development between Kansas City and southwest Missouri.

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N E W S
audit will include detailed recommendations on equipment and other improvements that could save a farm upwards of $500 a month. Loans of up to $50,000 per farm are available to purchase energyefficient equipment. Funding for the program comes from a $5 million U.S. Department of Energy grant. For more information, call 800732-1399 or visit www.mda.mo.gov/ abd/financial/maestro.php.

B R I E F S
The water has receded, but a substantial cleanup and rebuilding effort remains. Initial estimates are that it will cost more than $100,000 to restore the park. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is looking for help in rebuilding the park and has started a “Remake Big Lake” campaign to raise funds and awareness of the damages to the park. Those who want to offer financial support can donate to the effort online at www.mostateparks.com/ remakebiglake.htm.

Energy incentives for the farm
Small Missouri farms can take steps to reduce energy use through a program that offers energy audits, loans and rebates to retrofit equipment and improve operations. The Missouri Agricultural Energy Savings Team — A Revolutionary Opportunity, or MAESTRO, targets livestock and poultry farms that are small enough to not require a confined feeding operation permit. Farmers can start with getting an energy audit conducted by either EnSave or the University of Missouri Extension offices. Results of that

Remake Big Lake
Since 1932, Big Lake State Park has been a popular destination for northwest Missourians seeking a place for a family barbecue, an afternoon of fishing or just a dip in the water. But on June 17, a nearby Missouri River levee gave way and all the park’s 407 acres were flooded.

A new threat to our forests
You may have heard of the threats of the emerald ash borer to ash trees, but a new disease has the potential to wipe out another one of Missouri’s more prevalent trees. Black walnut

trees are now at risk due to the thousand canker disease. The fungal disease, officially recognized in 2008, is transferred from tree to tree by the walnut twig beetle. Over the past decade, conservationists in the western United States have seen widespread death of black walnuts due to the disease. Although conservationists have not yet discovered the disease in Missouri, they are working to prevent its spread. The Missouri Department of Agriculture is enforcing a quarantine on any walnut products from states that have been identified as having thousand canker disease. This includes any firewood, plant parts or nursery stock, but doesn’t include nuts. The disease could damage Missouri financially. Estimates predict an $851 million economic loss over 20 years to the nation’s leader in black walnut production if the disease shows up. Symptoms of the disease are yellowing and thinning of the leaves, which progresses to death to large branches in the canopy. If you begin to notice any of these signs, contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture by calling 573751-5505 or visit www.mda.mo.gov for more information.

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Custom Sales Book

Custom Sales Book
Contents
Comments
Columns
Ghosts of the Grasslands
Out of the Way Eats
Mail Bag
Best of Rural Missouri
Hearth and Home
News Briefs
What’s Old is New Again
Marketplace
Around Missouri
Missouri’s Horse
Neighbors
Look for the Dinosaur
Just4Kids

Custom Sales Book