december 2014

“Reaching Out Report” the Greene County Extension Newsletter

2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo. 65807

Email: [email protected] * Tel: (417) 881-8909

December 2014 * Vol. 7, Issue 12

“On the Cover” story …

page 2-3

Upcoming events …

page 4

Kelly McGowan…

page 5

Master Gardeners …

page 6

Pam Duitsman…

page 7

4-H Report …

page 8

Nutrition program…

page 9

David Burton …

page 10-11

Budget request …

pages 12

Patrick Byers …

pages 13

Master Naturalists …

page 14

Friends & Sponsors…

page 15-16

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employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on

the basis of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Subscribe Now! Become a subscriber and

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Report” online. Send your

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[email protected].

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Students Help in Springfield as Part of

Mizzou Alternative Break

Greene County Extension specialists helped connect University

of Missouri students with a charity in Springfield needing help

on Nov. 14-15 as part of the Mizzou Alternative Break program.

See pages 2-3 for photos and written details.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

Greene County “Reaching Out” Report Last Updated December 19, 2014

On the Cover: Missouri Alternative Break

on an Alternative Break trip and we’re proud

of that.”

For one weekend in November, seven stu-

dents came to Springfield to help at Ronald

McDonald House in Springfield.

Staci Holland, House Program Director at

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the

Ozarks, Inc. in Springfield, said future clients

will benefit from the two days of labor the MU

Students provided.

“The students were absolutely amazing

and such a pleasure to have at the two Ronald

McDonald houses in Springfield. Thank you

for helping them make arrangements for their

trip to Springfield,” said Holland.

The students helped get the Ronald

McDonald House near Mercy Hospital ready

for Cup O'Cheer Homes Tour, which is the

largest annual fundraiser for Ronald McDon-

ald House Charities of the Ozarks.

“They were such a huge help working to

finish our landscaping. They also helped detail

our first-floor rooms and get the common are-

as ready to be decorated,” said Holland.

The Ronald McDonald House at Mercy is

celebrating its two-year anniversary. Accord-

ing to Holland, 892

families have been

served since opening,

and they are expecting

to serve more than 500

families this year.

While in Spring-

field, the students

stayed at National Ave-

nue Christian Church

in a space that Jeff Bar-

ber, house and urban

development specialist

with MU Extension,

helped to arrange.

“We enjoyed being

in Springfield. We

worked hard, we had a

MU Students Take

“Alternative Break” to

Assist a Charity in

Springfield with Help from

Greene County Extension

The stereotype of college students using

their free time for drinking and getting into

mischief may soon be shattered. It appears

that today’s college students, the millennials,

value service more than a weekend party.

A 2010 Pew Research Center study

asked millennials about their priorities: being

a good parent, having a good marriage and

helping others in need made the top of their

list.

“These students want to give, they want

to help out, they want to be part of the com-

munity,” said Joy Millard, interim assistant

vice provost for University of Missouri Ex-

tension.

As part of its centennial, University of

Missouri Extension has partnered with Miz-

zou Alternative

Breaks, a group of

students who donate

weekends, holidays

and spring break to

go into a community

to serve a need. MAB

has no shortage of

student volunteers.

“We had more

than enough students

to fill all the trips. We

had to turn people

away,” said Marissa

Steele, a senior at MU

and a weekend site

leader with MAB.

“It’s an honor to go

“The students were absolutely

amazing and such a pleasure to

have at the two Ronald McDonald

houses in Springfield. They were

such a huge help working to finish

our landscaping. They also helped

detail our first-floor rooms and get

the common areas ready to be dec-

orated. Thank you for helping them

make arrangements for their trip

to Springfield.” Staci Holland

House Program Director

Ronald McDonald House Charities of

the Ozarks, Inc. in Springfield



On the Cover: Missouri Alternative Break

Students

from Mizzou

Alternative

Breaks (shown

above working

at Springfield

locations)

helped us get

ready for Cup

O'Cheer

Homes Tour

last week. They

were such a

HUGE help

working to fin-

ish our land-

scaping! They

also helped us

detail our first

floor rooms and

get the common

areas ready to

be decorated. -

Staci Holland,

Ronald

McDonald

Charities of the

Ozarks.

good time and we were able to help a great

organization,” said Steele. “Thanks to Greene

County Extension for working on the local

details.”

The partnership between MAB and MU

Extension benefits both organizations.

“What I love about this is that it’s bringing

students into communities, and the communi-

ties also give back to the students. It’s this

wonderful circle of life,” said Millard. “It’s

what we were created for, making people bet-

ter, helping them out and making lives better.”

MAB makes use of MU Extension’s com-

munity connections to find the greatest need

in Missouri counties. “MU Extension is our

eyes and ears in the community,” Steele said.

“Before the partnership, site leaders had to

call random organizations to try to find pro-

jects.”

MAB’s goal is to do a project in every

Missouri county over the next five years.

“Here are students who say they want to

come help. In a time of limited resources,

this is an amazing gift,” Millard said.

Learn more about Mizzou Alternative

Breaks at http://breaks.missouri.edu.

http://breaks.missouri.edu

Selected Upcoming Extension Events in Greene County

Potting Shed University 2015 Potting Shed University begins Monday, Feb,

9, 2015, and will last 12 weeks. This series is

presented by the Master Gardeners of Greene

County and features 12 diverse garden topics

for attendees to hone their skills and become a

better gardener. Feb. 9– Winter Seed Sowing by Missy Sanford

Feb. 16– Hay Bale Gardening by Mark

Bernskoetter

Feb. 23– Worm Composting by Kelly

McGowan

March 2– Perennials by Gail Wright

March 9– Introduction to Home Winemaking

by Patrick Byers

March 16– All About Tomatoes by Kelly

McGowan

March 23– Companion Planting by Mark

Bernskoetter

March 30– Introduction to Herbs, Barb Emge

April 6– Planting a Water Garden by Pat Ware

April 13– Attracting Butterflies to your Gar-

den by Linda Bower

April 20– Container Gardens, Dellene Nelson

April 27– Vertical Gardens, Rebecca Nichols

No pre-registration necessary; all classes are $5,

pay at the door and will be held in the Work-

shop Studio at the Botanical Center. For more

information visit mggreene.org

Master Gardener Plant Sale Saturday April 25, 2015, will be the 18th an-

nual Master Gardeners of Greene County plant

sale. It starts at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 11:30

a.m. or when everything is sold. Cash or check

only. The sale will be held at Springfield Bo-

tanical Garden Center, 2400 S. Scenic in

Springfield. Master Gardeners will be on site

to answer questions. Visit www.mggreene.org

for more information.

Lawn and Garden Show 2015 The Lawn & Garden Show at the Ozark Em-

pire Fairgrounds will be held Feb. 27, Feb. 28

and March 1. This show offers a series of

seminars hosted and taught by Master Gar-

deners of Greene County. These classes are

free to the public with their admission ticket.

Daytime classes are held Friday, Saturday

and Sunday on a wide range of topics, like:

Integrated Pest Management, Container Gar-

dening, Raised Bed Gardening, Plant Selec-

tion, Soil Amendment and more. The Lawn &

Garden Show continues to be a valuable tool

for Master Gardeners to promote public

awareness of the University of Missouri Ex-

tension as a source of unbiased, research

based gardening information. Come by the

Master Gardener's booth and enter to win a

free prize. For more information on speakers

go to our website: www.mggreene.org.

Give Ozarks Campaign May 5 The first “Give Ozarks” one-day online fund-

raising event will be held May 5, 2015, and

the Greene County Extension Council is tak-

ing part. Donors will be able to contribute

online the day of the event (or by mail the

week before) as part of this one-day “online

telethon.” Greene County Extension has set a

goal to raise $5,000 for its new Endowment.

Business Development Classes Regular business classes are held at the Small

Business Development and Technology Cen-

ter, 405 North Jefferson Ave., Springfield.

Assorted dates and topics. Register by calling

417-836-5685 or check online

www.ws.missouristate.edu/sbdc.

Program Calendar Online The most up-to-date list of reported upcoming MU Extension programs in Greene County

is available online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene

Calendar visible on right side of page.


http://www.mggreene.org


http://www.ws.missouristate.edu/sbdc

Member Spotlight:

Mike Sidebottom When did you

join Master Gar-

deners? I joined

the Master Garden-

ers in spring of

2012 because I

wanted to learn

more aspects of

gardening and to

meet others with

the same interests

as myself.

What kind of gardening background do you

have? Vegetable gardening was something I

learned from an early age as my family grew most

of what we ate. I really did not expand into deco-

rative plants until after joining Master Gardeners.

What is your favorite thing about Master Gar-

deners of Greene County?

My favorite things about Master Gardeners are

the members and the wonderful information and

encouragement they give without realizing it.

What is one of your favorite growing tips that

you would like to share?

The best growing tip for plants I know of is to be

sure they have everything they need in modera-

tion. It is also not a bad tip for growing children.

What are a couple of your favorite plants?

My favorite plants are always the ones I have just

discovered. Of course that depends on how well

they do in my garden.



Master Gardeners of Greene County

The Master Gardener Program is a popular and

successful statewide volunteer community-service

organization administered through University of

Missouri Extension. The organization’s goal is to

train gardeners who are willing to share their

knowledge with others. Master Gardeners become

volunteers of University of Missouri Extension and

donate hours for community educational projects in

horticulture. Volunteer activities include working

with non-profit organizations, maintaining commu-

nity gardens, conducting workshops, participating

in a Master Gardener speakers’ bureau and staffing

the Master Gardener “Hotline.” The Master Gar-

deners of Greene County can boast of over 300

members. For more information visit the chapters

website at http://www.mggreene.org.

Upcoming

Events

January 5: MG board

meeting

January 13: MG

Monthly Chapter Meet-

ing 6-8 pm at Botanical

Center

January 28 and 29:

2015 Master Gardener

Orientation 6-8 pm at

Botanical Center

2015 Core Training for


Do you or someone you know interested in be-

coming a Master Gardener in 2015? If so, please

note that classes will begin Feb. 17 and continue

through April 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Botanical

Center. Sign up for an orientation session or more

information, call 417-881-8909 or email Kelly

McGowan at [email protected]

Kelly McGowan Horticulture Educator

University of Missouri

Extension

[email protected]


Master Gardener Training

Begins Feb. 17 in Greene

County; Sign-Up now for

Orientation in January

Opportunities to gain and share horticultural

knowledge are available through University of

Missouri Extension’s Master Gardener program

in Greene County.

Individuals interested in becoming a Master

Gardener in Greene County must attend one of

MU Extension’s mandatory orientation sessions.

The 2015 sessions are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on

Wednesday, Jan. 28 or Thursday, Jan. 29 in the

large meeting room at the Springfield-Greene

County Botanical Center located at 2400 S. Sce-

nic Springfield.

“Attendance of an orientation session is a man-

datory first step of becoming a Master Garden-

er. You will learn important details about our

training classes and volunteer commitments. You

will also get a chance to visit with existing Master

Gardener members,” said Kelly McGowan, horti-

culture educator with University of Missouri Ex-

tension.

The Master Gardener class sessions will be held

Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1 p.m. to

4 p.m., starting Feb. 17 and running through April

2. Most of the classes will be held at the Botanical

Center, 2400 South Scenic, Springfield with three

being held at the Library Station on N. Kansas

Expressway, Springfield.

A total of 12 three-hour sessions taught by

trained professionals will cover horticulture prin-

ciples and practices. Ornamentals, turf, vegeta-

bles, fruit crops and landscape design are some of

the subjects covered through this course.

Master Gardeners assist in horticulture educa-

tion in the community. Thirty volunteer hours

from participants are required the first year after

training. Following that, 20 volunteer service

hours are required each year to remain an active

Master Gardener.

Enrollment for the class is limited and there is a

fee of $150 (or $255 for a couple) to cover the

costs of the program and materials.




2015 Master Gardeners of

Greene County Officers and

Board Members The 2015 officers were elected at the Decem-

ber board meeting. Returning for another term as

president will be Missy Sanford. Mike Sidebottom

will be the new vice-president, Dellene Nelson

will be returning as Treasurer, and Gail Wright

will be returning as secretary.

Two new board members were elected for

2015: Patty Garrett and Margo Shull. They will

join returning board members Kay Johnson and

Bob Childress.

A special thank you to George Deatz and Nan-

cy Chambers whose terms have expired.

Serving as a board member and officer for a

group as large as the Master Gardeners of Greene

County is a job that requires many hours behind

the scenes making sure everything runs smoothly

and that the chapter remains healthy for years to

come. We are very grateful to have such a great

leadership team and wish them the best in 2015!

Private Pesticide Applicator

Training March 6

A private pesticide applicator training session

will be offered from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday,

March 6, at the Greene County Extension office

located inside the Springfield-Greene County Bo-

tanical Center at 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield.

Under Missouri law, this training provides

certification to obtain a Private Pesticide Applica-

tors License for Missouri agricultural producers

and will also count for recertification require-

ments by the state. The training will not certify

for commercial application licenses.

This training is open to producers of agricul-

tural commodities, 18 years of age or older.

Participants will be required to purchase the

reference manual for $12 and pay a small materi-

als fee for a total class fee of $18.

Pre-registration is required by March 2. Per-

sons interested in attending should call (417) 881-

8909 to reserve a space.



Nutrition and Health Specialist

Ozarks Regional

Food Policy Council:

The council worked on

special projects in De-

cember, including: co-

ordination of marketing

and access to local

food; update on the

HEAL grant which will

bring the MU Exten-

sion Program “Stock

Healthy, Shop

Healthy” to Spring-

field, and will increase

programming in our urban food dessert areas.

Work also continued on

discussion of Food Hub

models and development

of education needed for

local farmers, producers,

and food system partners.

Pam continues to serve on

this Executive Committee

and also on the Broader

Council. The Council ex-

ists to provide leadership for good food, strong

farms, healthy communities.

MU Extension Program Integration: As a

part of a state-wide team, Pam is working with

the Heath Systems committee to maximize

impact for MU Extension’s health-related

programs.

The Voices for Food Project is focused on

increasing Community Food Security

through sustainable, community-based strat-

egies. In December, community meetings

were held and work was begun to create sev-

eral Food policy Councils in SW Missouri

Communities to strengthen our local food

system. This project takes a prevention-

oriented approach to improve access of low-

income households to healthy and nutritious

food, and improve self-reliance to provide

for their own food need. Pam is the State

coordinator for the pro-

ject which works to

promote comprehen-

sive community re-

sponses to local food,

farm and nutrition is-

sues.

County Food, Nutrition, and Health Pro-

jects

During December, Pam has worked with

community partners on the Food Hub Feasi-

bility study; Local Food for Economic De-

velopment Conference planning; Springfield

Food Hub development planning; coordina-

tion and teaching food system workshops;

and individual consultation for 9 people/

organizations.

Healthy Lifestyle Initiative

Pam partners MU Extension resources and

programs with communities to improve

healthy living environments and policies,

and to provide programming for enhanced

healthy lifestyles. During December Pam

worked with schools and collaborators to

develop school healthy-lifestyle programs

for implementation during 2015.

Pam Duitsman Nutrition specialist

[email protected]

www.botanicalcenter.org

http://www.botanicalcenter.org



4-H Report for Greene County

More About 4-H As the largest out-of-school

youth organization in the world,

4-H is open to all boys and

girls, ages 5 to18. Children who

are five to seven years old are eligible for 4-H

Clover Kids, an introductory program. Youths

who are 8 to 18 years of age can select from a

variety of 4-H projects and activities that stress

social and life skills in areas like decision mak-

ing, communication, social interaction, civic

responsibility and physical skills. Children do

not have to live on a farm to join 4-H. Pro-

ject opportunities include computers, robotics,

foods and nutrition, horticulture, large and

small animals and more. Missouri 4-H is Uni-

versity of Missouri Extension's youth develop-

ment program. Learn more online.

Contact 4-H Youth Development Specialist Karla Deaver at the Lawrence County Extension office

by telephone at 417/466-3102 or by email at [email protected].

Sontheimer Shares 4-H

Experience with Bois

D’Arc Classmates By James Hanson

Ash Grove Commonwealth, Dec. 2, 2014

Last Monday morning, all eyes of the fourth-grade

classes at Bois D’Arc Elementary School were on fel-

low fourth-grader Monte Sontheimer, who gave a spe-

cial presentation about 4-H.

Sontheimer has been a member of the Bois D’Arc

Braves—one of the many Greene County 4-H Clubs—

the last four years. He discussed why he enjoys being a

part of the club. “I like the different activities and com-

ing to the meetings,” Sontheimer said. “You get to do a

lot of fun things in 4-H.”

Besides discussing 4-H, he also showcased his

Brown Red Cochin rooster and previous ribbons that he

has won.

Sontheimer said his 4-H club meets the third Mon-

day of each month at 7 p.m. at the Bois D’Arc United

Methodist Church. He said other clubs have

different meeting days and times.

“I would encourage any of you who aren’t

in 4-H to join a club, even if it isn’t the Braves

or a club in Greene County,” Sontheimer said.

Several students and both fourth-grade

teachers, Mrs. Curbow and Mrs. Pedersen, had

lots of questions for Sontheimer after his

presentation.

They wanted to know how long chickens

live. The answer: “Seven or eight years is the

average time,” Sontheimer replied.

They also wanted to know where he won

his ribbons and awards. He said they were won

at different 4-H related events and a few were

won showing at the Ozark Empire Fair.

He informed everyone that the four Hs in

4-H stood for head, heart, health and hands. He

also said the club offers more than just farming/

agriculture related events, like sewing, garden-

ing, arts and crafts, shooting sports and more.

Sontheimer said he was a little nervous

at first. “I was a little scared to give the

presentation,” he said afterwards. “But I

calmed down. It was a lot of fun.”

Photo by James Hanson: Bois D’Arc fourth-grader

Monte Sontheimer gave a presentation to both fourth-

grade classes last week about 4-H. Here he is pictured

in front of the class with a special guest, one of his

show roosters, a Brown Red Cochin.

http://www.extension.missouri.edu/greene/4h.aspx

Becky Roark Willard North Elementary

School (K, 1st and 2nd grades),

195 students

McGregor Elementary School

(K and 1st grades), 124 students

Bingham Elementary School

(2nd grade), 75 students

Well of Life Food Pantry, 281

families

Central Assembly of God Food Pantry, 121

families

The elementary school students have been

tasting different fruits and vegetables during nu-

trition class.

We talk about tasting with our taste buds in

our mouth and not tasting with our eyes—for

example thinking a fruit or vegetable looks

strange and therefore you may not like it.

Getting kids to try new foods is a big part of

getting them to accept them as part of a healthy

diet. Of course we also stress the importance of

the vitamins we get from these food groups and

how they keep our bodies healthy.

Sherri Hull Began series of lessons for Willard South

Elementary PreK – 4th, 448 students

Completed series of lessons for Sequiota Ele-

mentary 4th grade, 52 students

Victory Mission Family Ministries Food

Pantry – Display and Discussion about

“Supersizing”, 185 families

Marty Wood Willard WIC, “Eating Smart,

Being Active,” 31 adults

Willard Food Pantry, display,

51families

Pregnancy Care Center,

“Eating Smart, Being Active,

20 adults

Hand Extended Food Pantry,

display, 62 families

Southwest Mo. Indian Center,

display, 25 families



Wood

Family Nutrition Education Program

Roark

Edmondson DeFord Williams

Family Nutrition Education Program 2160 W. Chesterfield Blvd. Suite F200

Chesterfield Village, Springfield, Mo.

Tel: 417-886-2059 * http://missourifamilies.org

Fossett

Hull Nevatt

Little Sunshine Preschool, “Let’s Read About

Healthy Eating,” 40 children

Harter House-Strafford, display, 62 adults

Life House Crisis Maternity Home, “Eating

Smart, Being Active,” 7 adults

Sherri Hull and Marty Wood at a recent commu-

nity event educating individuals about dairy

products and Greene County Extension.

http://missourifamilies.org



Civic Communication Specialist and County Program Director

SOCIAL MEDIA

REACH (Oct. 2014):

Individuals engaged

this month on various

MU Extension Face-

book pages: 18,777.

Added 8 videos to

YouTube this month.

Our MUExteision417

channel continues to

get over 100,000 vid-

eo views a year.

Researching various

online tools for contact management for Ex-

pert Source Program.

BY THE NUMBERS (for the month)

News Service Subscribers: 10,334 weekly

Requests for advisement: 12

Regular weekly news columns: 24

TV/Radio Interviews – 3

Total articles written this month – 24

CPD DUTIES & PROGRAMS

Financial oversight, travel authorizations.

County Commission meetings.

Friends of Greene County Extension efforts.

Edited monthly “Reaching Out Report”

Regular updates to county extension website

Coordinating meetings of council committees

Coordinate agriculture programs in the county.

David Burton Civic communication

[email protected]

David Burton’s focus of work as civic communication specialist: Community and civic engagement

through communication and media relations, leading and moderating focus groups, non-profit education

and support, social media in support of disaster recovery and response, marketing extension regionally,

heritage tourism with an emphasis on restoring historic schools; and engaging council members with

media relations efforts like the Southwest Region News Service and the Expert Source Program.

As county program director: David also works with the elected council to operate, fund and adminis-

ter the local Greene County Extension office and to plan local programs, to engage council members in

this and other work, and to generate local revenue to support programs in Greene County

Coming up … An entire new look for the Greene County Ex-

tension Council’s Annual Report will be un-

veiled in January.

Greene County Extension Council’s annual

meeting — which includes swearing in of new

council members, a meal, a 30th anniversary of

Master Gardeners of Greene County presenta-

tion, and recognition of Honor Roll Awards —

will be held Feb. 23 at the Botanical Center.

Council should learn the fate of its request for

$27,000 in funding from the Greene County

Commission in mid-January.

It is possible to donate vehicles to Greene

County Extension and our partners at CoPart.

The donor gets a charity deduction and once

the vehicle sells, Extension gets needed funds.

Call the office at 881-8909.

Volunteer Needed … Research and Write Narrative on 100 year

History of Greene County Extension

Research the history of Greene County Exten-

sion and create a narrative for our 100th anniver-

sary. History from 1935 to 1960 is complete.

Council minutes from 1960 to 1970 and from

1997 to present provide more historical narrative

and need to be reviewed for historically im-

portant events, programs and people. We have

newspaper clippings and a few annual reports

from the 1960s to 1980s that could help to fill in

some holes. Interviewing some retired extension

specialists that are still in the area could help fill

in much of that time period also. This would

include Gaylord Moore, Byron Morrison, John

Lower, Wilma Lower and Randy Humphrey.

From this research, write a narrative that can be

published and presented online. Contact the

Greene County office for more information.

http://www.youtube.com/MUExtension417



Community Development

community newspapers provide facts and edito-

rials that help communities make decisions.

They also help celebrate individual and collec-

tive achievements in the community, offer con-

gratulations and join in the community celebra-

tion.

Newspapers have an important role in small

and large communities across this country. De-

spite what a few might have you believe, news-

papers are not dead. Weekly newspapers are do-

ing well and for communities that want to grow

and flourish, they are vital.

Newspapers are the

Foundation of Vibrant

Communities By David L. Burton

A recent visitor to my house noted that

I had four different weekly newspapers on

the kitchen counter. “If you have that

many newspaper subscriptions, you must

be rich,” said my friend, who confessed to

never having subscribed to a newspaper in

his entire life.

I wanted to cry in response to the fact

that he had never subscribed to a newspa-

per, but I laughed instead. “I am not rich

when it comes to money, but these communities

are better off by having a weekly newspaper,” I

said. “That is why I support local newspapers with

my subscription.”

As a consumer, I know first-hand that most

weekly newspaper subscriptions are reasonable. I

have subscriptions to my hometown newspaper, the

newspaper I managed, the newspaper in my com-

munity of residence and the newspaper in the com-

munity where I work. These newspapers keep me

updated on government decisions, community

events and the lives of my friends.

Despite our changing world, daily and weekly

community newspapers remain a prime source for

recording local news events. Newspapers document

the lives of local citizens from birth to death.

Newspapers chronical the decisions of city coun-

cils, county commissions, fire districts and school

boards along with hometown school athletics and

art programs.

Newspapers serve an important function in the

American democratic process. When I was editing

a weekly newspaper, I would say the newspaper

was a “beacon of truth.” I still believe that is true in

most communities. At the very least, quality news-

papers aid in the well-being of the communities

they serve.

Newspapers help protect our communities from

destructive influences. Newspapers help to sound

the alarm with accurate and complete coverage of

sensitive or tragic community issues. The best

“Newspapers have an

important role in small and

large communities across

this country. Despite what

a few might have you

believe, newspapers are not

dead.”

— David Burton



Council Budget Request for 2015

DATE: Dec. 19, 2014

TO: Greene County Commission

RE: Request for $27,000 from Commission by Greene County Extension Coun-

cil

The Greene County Extension Council has formally submitted their request for $27,000

of inter-governmental funding from the Greene County Commission during 2015.

This amount ($27,000) is being recommended for two reasons. First, because it is the

last amount provided by the Commission prior to funding the local extension council

with the state minimum funding of $10,000 (established in 1961). Second, the elected

members of the Greene County Extension Council see this amount as part of a “funding

partnership.” This would represent a mix of private giving, office income and county

support in a way that is unprecedented in the state and currently offers our best hope for

maintaining local operations.

This is our income could break out during 2015 if this additional request is provided.

$27,000 – privately raised by Greene County Extension Council

$10,000 – income from soil tests, and income from programs

$27,000 – from Greene County Commission in support of our partnership

$64,000 – total needed for office operations in 2015.

We are thankful for the many individual supporters that have funded local extension

programs over the last five years. Volunteers in our Master Gardener, 4-H and Master

Naturalists programs raise their own funds for the public education they provide. Our

partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board has made it possible for us

to have an outstanding office and meeting space. But solid ongoing funding is needed to

maintain our office and program support functions.

I believe the $27,000 council is requesting this year provides the Commission with an

avenue for supporting a unique funding strategy. I know of no other county office, de-

partment or program that funds their own operations in this way. Thank you for your

consideration.

Sincerely,

David Burton

County Program Director and Civic Communication Specialist



Horticulture Specialist

Participated in:

Missouri Grown cur-

riculum development

teleconference

(12/1/14)

ConnExt evening

reception, Columbia

(12/1/14)

MELD VI meeting,

St. Louis (12/2-

12/5/14)

Ozarks Technical

College Agr/TLM

program advisory

board meeting, Springfield (12/9/14)

Greene County Soil and Water Conservation

District board meeting, Springfield

(12/16/14)

Upcoming programming and events

“Home Fruit Production”, Master Gardener

core training, Barry County Master Garden-

ers, Cassville (1/6/15)

Coordination of berry sessions at the Great

Plains Growers Conference, St. Joseph

(1/8/15-1/10/15)

“Update on the Midwest Small Fruit and

Viticulture Spray Guide”, Great Plains

Growers Conference, St. Joseph (1/8/15-

1/10/15)

“Getting Started in Produce Farming for

Profit”, Webster County Diversified Agricul-

ture Conference, Marshfield (1/17/15)

2015 Master Gardeners of Greene County

core training orientations, Springfield

(1/28/15, 1/29/15)

“The Secrets of Saving Seeds”, Springfield/

Greene County Public Library presentations,

Springfield (1/21/15)

Community Contact:

TV and Radio

3 live interviews with KOLR10’s John Ziegler

(1 delivered by Kelly McGowan)

4 radio interviews with Morris Westfall’s

“Farm Page of the Air”

Print media

Contributed to several articles and interviews

1 interview with Juliana Goodwin, Springfield

News Leader (12/6/14)

Requests for information

Telephone contacts – 22 for advisement

Email contacts – 12 contacts

Office visits, professional contacts – 1 for con-

sultation and advisement

Farm site visits – 1 for consultation

Programs Presented:

“Home Fruit Production”, Master Gardener

core trainings, MG of the Ozarks and Christian

County MG, Hollister and Ozark (11/24/14)

“International Agricultural Issues at the World

Food Prize/Borlaug Dialog Conference”, Glob-

al Food Systems Thematic Team Adobe Con-

nect presentation (12/8/14)

“International Opportunities with Farmer to

Farmer”, Epsilon Sigma Phi Global Relations

Adobe Connect presentation (12/10/14)

“Food Safety from Farm to Fork”, Eldorado

Springs (12/12/14)

“Developing an On-Farm Food Safety Plan”,

Eldorado Springs (12/12/14)

“Update on Food Safety Modernization Act”,

Eldorado Springs (12/12/14)

Coordinated:

Master Gardeners of Greene County: board

meeting, Springfield (12/1/14); chapter meet-

ing, Springfield (12/9/14)

Springfield Plateau Master Naturalists: board

meeting, Springfield (12/10/14); meeting,

Springfield (12/15/14)

Mentoring activities with Robert Balek, MU

Extension regional horticulture specialist

Horticulture soil test reports - recommenda-

tions and distribution for SW region – 8 re-

ports during reporting period

Patrick Byers Horticulture

[email protected]



4-H / Master Naturalists

The Missouri Master Naturalist Program

results from a partnership created in 2004

between the Missouri Department of

Conservation (MDC) and MU Extension

(MUE). The Missouri Master Naturalist

Program is recognized as a “named and

branded” program within MU Extension.

The MU School of Natural Resources is

the academic home for the Program. See

www.springfieldmasternaturalist.com or

springfieldmn.blogspot.com/

MDC and Missouri 4-H

Partnering on MDC Shooting

Range User Survey

The Missouri Department of Conservation

(MDC) is partnering with the Missouri 4-H Founda-

tion to get public input on services and usage of many

of MDC’s unstaffed shooting ranges across the state.

The partnership involves a year-long survey where

University of Missouri Extension 4-H staff will ask

MDC shooting range users to participate in a exit sur-

vey about experiences using the ranges.

Surveys will be conducted at approxi-

mately 40 MDC unstaffed shooting ranges

from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2015. Participation

in the survey is completely voluntary.

Missouri is a national leader in provid-

ing free, publicly-owned shooting ranges

with MDC maintaining 70 unstaffed and

five staffed shooting ranges around the

state.

“The Missouri Department of Conser-

vation’s shooting ranges provide safe places

to practice shooting and archery skills for

Missouri citizens,” said MDC Hunting Edu-

cation and Shooting Range Coordinator

Kyle Lairmore. “This user survey will help

us better understand the needs of people

using the ranges.”

MDC partnered with Missouri 4-H for the survey

because of their mutual interest and long-standing in-

volvement in promoting shooting sports across the

state.

“Missouri 4-H is a national leader in youth shoot-

ing sports with a significant interest in the quality of

the experience at the shooting ranges in our state, so

we’re very pleased to implement this important pro-

gram on behalf of MDC and the public,” said Missouri

4-H Foundation Executive Director Cheryl

Reams. “We encourage range users to participate in

this survey to help MDC to continue providing the

best facilities for our states’ hunting and shooting en-

thusiasts.”

Celebrating 64 years of service to 4-H youth, the

Missouri 4-H Foundation secures and manages funds

for the MU Extension 4-H Youth Development Pro-

gram, provides higher education scholar-

ships, and recognizes 4-H volunteers. MU

Extension 4-H is a community of 276,921

youths from across Missouri learning leader-

ship, citizenship and life skills.

Missouri has a rich history of hunting

and shooting sports, including being a na-

tional leader in public shooting range devel-

opment. For more information about MDC

shooting ranges, including locations, hours,

and driving directions, visit mdc.mo.gov/

node/6209.

Exit surveys like the one above will be done by 4-H.

http://www.springfieldmasternaturalist.com/

http://springfieldmn.blogspot.com/

mdc.mo.gov/node/6209.

mdc.mo.gov/node/6209.

Total Contributed:

Cash = $7,022

2015 Contributors to “Friends of Greene County Extension”

Glenn Blake

Shelby Bradley

David & Stacey Burton

Ramona Burton

Carr Stock Farms

Alice Counts

Johnny Davis

George Deatz

Barb Decker

Jim Eckhoff

Carl Hathcock

Avis Holloway

Rebecca Hoy

Galen Jones

Dr. Jeff Jones

Master Gardeners of

Greene County

Fred & Dorothy Miller

Dean & Jackie Morgan

Edie Nelson

Benjamin Newville

Don Nicholson

Minuen Odom

Ryan Lawn & Tree

Dale & Carrie Sanders

Matthew Simpson

Jeanie Skibiski

Virginia Snyder

Springfield Watergarden

Society

Stephen Taylor

Ronald & Sue Terry

Gene Wallace

Donation period runs from November 1, 2014 to Oct. 31, 2015

Friends of Greene County Extension Since 1914, Greene County residents have sought help in ag-

riculture, gardening, 4-H youth, nutrition, families, business

and community development from Extension. Members of

“Friends of Greene County Extension” contribute finan-

cially to make it possible for Extension to continue having a

positive impact on the quality of life in Greene County. To

learn how you can help by contributing go to exten-

sion.missouri.edu/greene or call (417) 881-8909.

A sincere thank you to our donors (listed at left) who

have helped to kick-off the 2015 campaign for Friends

of Greene County Extension with an early gift in No-

vember or December. Our goal is to raise $35,000 in

2015 from individuals who care about the mission of

MU Extension locally. Gifts can be made using a credit

card online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene.

Pat Ware, member of Master Gardeners and President of

the Springfield Watergarden Society (left) and Missy

Sanford , President of the Master Gardeners (right) pre-

sent George Deatz with a $500 check for Friends of

Greene County Extension from the fall garden tour orga-

nized by the Master Gardeners of Greene County and the

Springfield Watergarden Society. The presentation was

made during the November council meeting. The tour

stops were highlighted in our September newsletter.

http://extension.missouri.edu/greene

http://extension.missouri.edu/greene


Greene County Extension Office located inside the

Springfield-Greene County

Botanical Center 2400 S. Scenic Ave.,

Springfield, Mo. 65807

Tel: (417) 881-8909

Fax (417) 823-4818

Office hours:

Monday - Friday * 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene

Each “Reaching Out Report” is used by Greene

County Extension specialists to concisely communi-

cate activities, contacts and events to members of the

Greene County Extension Council, Greene County

Commission and residents of Greene County. For

more about this report contact the editor, David Bur-

ton, at (417) 881-8909.

Videos on YouTube Watch the videos posted to our channel at

www.youtube.com/MUExtension417.

On Facebook Get regular updates about programs and news from

MU Extension in southwest Missouri. Find us at

facebook.com/MUExtension417.

Corporate Sponsors Sanford, Lea and Associates, CPA, Spring-

field, Mo.: (417) 886-2220,

www.adifferentcpa.com

Master Gardeners of Greene County:


Meyer Communications, KWTO 560 AM /

KTXR 101.3 FM: (417) 862-3751

www.radiospringfield.com/

Sunshine Valley Farm, 8125 E State High-

way AD, Rogersville, ph. (417) 753-2698,

http://www.sunshinevalleyfarm.com/

Springfield-Greene County Park Board,

Ph 417-864-1049, www.parkboard.org

Can I Help? Lorri Winters can help custom-

ers with material needs, soil

tests or program registrations.

Contact her at the Greene

County Extension Center,

(417) 881-8909 or email her at

[email protected]. Lorri

Winters joined Greene County

Extension in 2005.

Lorri Winters Office Manager

Extension/Partner Meetings

County Commission meetings: 1st and 3rd

Mondays of month; confirm agenda and meeting

at http://www.greenecountymo.org/commission.

Commission building, Springfield, at 9:30 a.m.

Park Board Meetings: Second Friday of

each month at 8:30 a.m. Call 864-1049 to con-

firm location of meeting.

4-H Leader’s Council Meetings: 3rd Thurs-

day of each month (except July) from 7 p.m. to 9

p.m., at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2852 S

Dayton Ave, Springfield.

Greene County 4-H Foundation: meets 3rd

Thursday of each month at Panera Bread on Bat-

tlefield (across from the Mall) starting at 6 p.m.

Master Gardeners of Greene County—

board meeting: First Monday of each month at

4:30 p.m. at the Botanical Center.

Master Naturalists Board Meetings: The

board meets at 5:30 p.m. at the MDC regional

office, on the second Wednesday of the month.

Master Gardeners of Greene County--

membership meeting: Second Tuesday each

month at 6:00 p.m. at the Botanical Center.

Greene County Farm Bureau — Second

Monday of the month at Farm Bureau 2530 S

Campbell Ave, Springfield. Starts at 7:30 p.m.

https://www.adifferentcpa.com/

http://www.mggreene.org/

http://www.radiospringfield.com/

http://www.sunshinevalleyfarm.com/

http://www.parkboard.org

december 2014

Documents

mu students

issue students

h report page

nutrition program page

master naturalists page

master gardeners page

cover story page

mu extension