April 2015

“Reaching Out Report” the Greene County Extension Newsletter 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo. 65807 Email: greeneco@missouri.edu * Tel: (417) 881-8909

April 2015 * Vol. 8, Issue 4 Mark May 5 on Your Calendar and Donate to Greene County Extension That Day! INSIDE THIS ISSUE Upcoming events … pages 2 Renette Wardlow … page 3 Pam Duitsman… page 4-5 Agriculture Report … pages 5-6 Nutrition program… page 7 David Burton … pages 8 Kelly McGowan … page 9 Master Naturalists ... pages 10 Patrick Byers … pages 11-12 Jeff Barber page 12 4-H Report … page 13-14 Friends of Extension... pages 15 Sponsors & Contact... page 16

The first “Give Ozarks” one-day online fundraising event will be held May 5. Donors will be able to contribute to the Greene County Extension endowment fund or gift fund online the day of the event as part of this oneday “online telethon.” On May 5, donors can complete a basic creditcard donation at www.giveozarks.org/2015/greene-county-extension. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the IRS.

Subscribe Now! Become a subscriber and receive a monthly email with the direct link for reading the “Reaching Out Report” online. Send your request by email to greeneco@missouri.edu.

University of Missouri Extension provides equal opportunity to all participants in extension programs and activities, and for all 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.

Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated April 26, 2015

Selected Upcoming Extension Events in Greene County Business Development Classes Regular business classes are held at the Small Business Development and Technology Center, 405 North Jefferson Ave., Springfield. Register by calling 417-836-5685 or check online www.ws.missouristate.edu/sbdc.

Young Sprouts in the Garden Date: 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 16. Location: Springfield Botanical Gardens, 2400 S. Scenic, Springfield, Mo. Details: Event free and open to the public, weather permitting. Several area organizations team up to host dozens of free hands-on gardening activities that are educational for the children. This is a Master Gardener of Greene County event. More at http://mggreene.org.

“Color Me Happy Peonies" May 7 at The Botanical Center Master Gardeners of Greene County will present a public program on peonies from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 7 at The Botanical Center, 2400. S. Scenic, Springfield. The course costs $5 per person and registration can be done at The Botanical Center Gift Shop. The class, entitled "Color Me Happy Peony,” will cover the history of peonies, look at the different types, and provide information on how to plant and care for them and include a garden tour if weather permits.

Space for Rent The Botanical Center offers meeting space for social gatherings and business functions. Contact us for all of your needs!

Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene Close Memorial Park.

417-891-1515 | www.botanicalcenter.org

“Learn to Grow in the Garden” Series Kicks-Off May 11 at The Botanical Center Master Gardeners of Greene County are beginning a “Learn to Grow in the Garden” series of classes as part of the group’s role as "ambassadors for education" at the Botanical Gardens, 2400 S. Scenic, Springfield.

Each class is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and has a registration fee of $5 per person and can easily be registered for at the gift shop in The Botanical Center.

“Soil” will be taught by Kelly McGowan, horticulture educator with University of Missouri Extension.

“Milkweed” will be taught by Jean Ackley on Monday, June 8.

“Herbs” will be taught by Barb Emge 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday, July 13.

“Garden Above Ground” will be taught

by Missy Sanford on Monday, Aug. 10.

“Seed Saving” will be taught by Patrick Byers, horticulture specialist with University of Missouri Extension, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 14.

“Urban Bee Keeping” will be taught by Ann Kynion from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 5.

Learn more about the Master Gardeners of Greene County online at http:// mggreene.org or contact the MU Extension Center in Greene County at (417) 881-8909.

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.

Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated April 26, 2015

Human Development, Family and Health

Human Development Specialist Added to Greene County At a regularly scheduled meeting of the Greene However, the Greene County Extension Council, members unanimously County Commission apvoted to add a human development specialist to the proved a funding inlist of individuals working out of the Greene County crease for Greene County Extension Office.

Extension in 2015 which Wardlow will be conducting programs related to helped to make it possiparenting, youth development, character education, ble to bring this position teen issues, anger and stress management, building back. Now all of the ofpositive self-esteem and child development. She has fices are filled, and sumbeen with MU Extension since 1987. mer helpers will be float“There is a big need for this type of family proing just to find an empty gramming in Greene County,” said Harold Bengsch, space from which to do Wardlow Associate County Commissioner, and a member of planning and work. the Greene County Extension Council. “Any addi“Many volunteers have been involved in tional programming and education that extension can raising funds and awareness to help keep exdo to help reduce our child abuse numbers or in parttension in Greene County. The County Comnership with the Every Child Promise effort in mission has stepped up this year too. All of Springfield is a positive for this community.” that work since August of 2013 has resulted in Wardlow was named “Citizen of getting a human development the Year” by the Ozark Chamber of specialist back in our office,” Renette Wardlow Commerce in 2004 for her years of said David Burton county prowork with over 100 partners to make moved from the gram director for Greene Counthe Christian County Family Crisis ty Extension.

Christian County Center a reality. She has been honsays the council and Extension office in Burton ored by MU Extension several times community volunteers, are conOzark to the Greene tinuing to search for funds and for her quality programs. Most recently she has become widely known partners to achieve its next County Extension for her “Stay Strong, Stay Healthy” office, located inside staffing goal: adding a 4-H eduprograms. cator to the Greene County Ex“Renette is a strong programmer, The Botanical Center tension office. Although extenat 2400 S. Scenic, and she will be an asset to Greene sion no longer has any empty County,” said Jay Chism, regional Springfield, Mo., on office space in the building, the director for MU Extension in southstaff will be creative in finding April 22. west Missouri. “With all of her prowork space for a 4-H educator gramming she should increase revewhen funding is available. nue to our local office and cover her programming “From a regional perspective, Greene expenses.”

County Extension is one of our flagships.

Wardlow has a bachelor’s and master’s degrees Adding Renette to the team there, and in human development and family studies from Unibringing her programs to Greene County, versity of Arkansas, Fayetteville. is what the residents of Greene County Greene County Extension has had an empty ofdeserve,” said Chism. fice space since August of 2013. That is when Dr. Jim Wirth, a human development specialist with MU Extension, was moved to Taney County due to county funding cuts to Greene County Extension.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

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Nutrition and Food Policy

MU Extension sponsored: Missouri State Obesity Conference. Changing the Future of Childhood Obesity: Aligning and Amplifying Statewide Efforts. The two-day Conference brought together over 200 state and national leaders to showcase publicly vetted recommendations to advance prevention and treatment of childhood obesity, align statewide actions to implement those recommendations and demonstrate exciting new insights and approaches.

Dr. Bill Dietz from George Washington University, and Dr. Steven Gortmaker, from Harvard School of Public Health, were two of the national speakers discussing Critical and Emerging Strategies for Obesity Prevention and Care; and assisting Missouri partners in building a plan to change the future of obesity in Missouri.

Ozarks Regional Food Policy Council The Executive Council continued work on the Springfield Community Baseline Food System Assessment.

The Council is focusing work in Greene County this year. Meetings this month focused on Local Food as Eco-

nomic Development reports; and a presentation on Water Quality.

The ORFPC is a forum for representatives of the local food system, and provides a framework for addressing and providing solutions to issues such as food production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste disposal.

Duitsman

Chronic Disease Self-Management This six-week series was held in April, and covered subjects including: techniques to deal with problems such as pain, difficult emotions and isolation; appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance; communicating effectively with health professionals; nutrition; and problem solving.

Outcomes of this class include:  Improvement of health outcomes and reduction of health care utilization  Decreased activity limitations and depression  Improved communication with health care providers  Improvements in quality of life, fatigue and sleep problems  Improvements in pain & shortness of breath  A significant improvement in ER visits and hospitalization A regional partners meetings for all RAC/CDC funded programs was also held in April to provide professional updates and work on strategic planning for the SW region of Missouri.

MU Extension Program Integration and Health Systems Team: Pam works with this state-wide team to integrate our health-related programs with research; maximize our impact in communities; develop sustainable resource generation; and elevate MU Extension’s value.

During April, the team worked on Program Proposals.

Contact Nutrition and Health Education Specialist Dr. Pam Duitsman at (417) 881-8909 or by email at duitsmanp@missouri.edu.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

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Nutrition and Food Policy Local Food Hub Development Pam continued her work with a team from MSU to survey farmers, producers, and buyers in the Ozarks using a uniquely designed Food Hub Feasibility Study aimed at the Ozark Region. Data generated will assist in planning of food networks and food hubs in the SW region of Missouri.

Voices for Food Project: This six-state, federally funded research project is aimed at improving food security. The project and its approach are unique because it is being applied across multiple states and draws on the expertise of multiple disciplines – including nutrition, community development, agriculture and youth. The fo-

cus is to develop and implement sustainable solutions that will increase availability and access to healthy food choices. Food councils are being developed and maintained in each of the targeted communities with stakeholder representatives from farmers, school administrators, business owners, and other concerned citizens.

Pam is the Project Coordinator, and plays a key role in providing guidance to the food councils.

The majority of Pam’s position is focused on this work, which will last into 2018. Several community meetings were held throughout SW Missouri in April.

Stay Strong Stay Healthy Update and Recertification Training — included instruction on new program protocol, updated information on program delivery, exercise updates, and evaluation tools; new exercises were viewed; evaluation methods were shared.

Agriculture

Bull Sale in Springfield Was Not Bullish; Extension Livestock Specialists Work Directly with Producers After a record-shattering bull sale last October when 42 bulls averaged $4952 in the Southwest Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Association’s sale, consignors were disappointed in the $4585 average on March 30. There were 41 bulls that sold at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center. The 34 Angus bulls averaged $4747, 4 Herefords and Polled Hereford came in at $4450, 2 Charolais averaged $3100 and the only Shorthorn sold for $2600.

The top sale of the evening was a Hereford consigned by Bonebrake Herefords, Springfield. He had a 7.3 EPD for calving ease which ranked him in the top 1 percentile of Hereford non-parent bulls. The successful bidder at $7500 was Two Bar D Ranch, Niangua. The $7500 price tied for the highest in the sale’s history dating back to 1973.

Persons interested in consigning to future tested bull sales may contact sale manager Pam Naylor, Buffalo or check with their nearest University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist. The next sale will be October 26, 2015.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Agriculture

Chain Saw Safety Training for Springfield Parks Department Employees Twenty-four employees with the Springfield Parks Department received training on chain saw safety, tree pruning tips and more in a April 24 class taught by Bob Schultheis, a natural resource engineering specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Marshfield.

The training was requested by the superintendent of the Horton Smith Golf Course, with the goal to keep workers safe both on and off the job, and thus minimize worker compensation insurance claims and lost work days.

The workers learned about where and how most chain saw injuries occur; reaction times; choosing and using appropriate safety gear; noise levels and hearing loss prevention; preparing, starting, and using a chain saw; causes and prevention of saw kickback; tree felling and limbing procedures; pruning techniques for

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

standing trees; and ethanol issues with small engines.

Written evaluations showed knowledge levels increased by 39 percent from the 1.5-hour session, and 100 percent of participants indicated they would recommend this training to others.

The greatest knowledge level increases were on the topics of understanding reaction time (51 Schultheis percent), where and how most chain saw injuries occur (48 percent), and dealing with ethanol in the small engine fuel (48 percent).

Twelve workers also cited specific things they will do differently as of result of the safety training they received, including purchasing and wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE), thinking more safely, and avoiding use of a chain saw.

A link to the presentation and related resources can be found at http://extension.missouri.edu/ webster/pres-2015-04-16.aspx

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Family Nutrition Education Program Becky Roark 

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Boyd Elementary: 252 students, Kindergarten—5th (two weeks in April) Shady Dell Early Childhood Center: 96 students, 4 Pre-K classes (two weeks in April) Holland Elementary: 161 stuRoark dents, Pre-K –2nd grade Fair Grove Elementary: 246 students, PreK—2nd grade Central Assembly Food Pantry: 115 families Well of Life Food Pantry: 285 families Participated in the Fair Grove High School Life Skills Fair—300 students in Family and Consumer Science classes I got to teach our “Eating from the Garden” curriculum at Boyd to the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. Boyd has a community garden by Cox North and someone from Greene County Health Dept. came to teach the kids about gardening. I added the nutrition information, and together we hope the kids will be more likely to eat fruits and vegetables!

Sherri Hull     



Hull

Wood

Nevatt

Pregnancy Care Center Eating Smart, Being Ac-

tive – 41 Adults Crosslines Food Pantry, Display, 2216 families Southwest Mo. Indian Center Display, 22 families Harter House-Strafford Display, 62 Adults People Helping People Food Pantry Display, 16 families Life House Crisis Maternity Home Eating Smart, Being Active, 7 adults Hand Extended Food Pantry Eating Smart, Being Active - 43 adults

Jenni Nevatt 

Reed Middle school, Springfield: approximately 110, 6th -8th grade students (on 4/24/2015) Participants will determine their daily calorie needs and create a full day’s worth of healthy meals, snacks, and drinks.

Began series of lessons at Westport Elem K 2, 255 students Began series of lessons at Campbell Small Wonders PK, 30 students Began series of lessons at University Child Care Center PK, 20 students Began series of lessons at Weaver Elem 3rd gr., 25 students Began series of lessons at OrFamily Nutrition Education Program chard Hills Elem K-2, 223 stu2160 W. Chesterfield Blvd. Suite F200 dents Chesterfield Village, Springfield, Mo. Display and discussion about Tel: 417-886-2059 * http://missourifamilies.org Dairy Foods at Victory Mission Family Ministries Food Pantry, 171 families

Marty Wood Willard WIC Eating Smart, Being

Active, 27 Adults Willard Food Pantry Display 30 families

Fossett

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

Edmondson

Williams Page 7

Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

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Civic Communication Specialist and County Program Director

BY THE NUMBERS (for the month)  News Service Subscribers: 9,776 weekly  Requests for advisement: 12  Regular weekly news columns: 16  TV/Radio Interviews – 2  Total articles written this month – 44 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 SOCIAL MEDIA REACH (March 2015):  Individuals engaged this month on various MU Extension Facebook pages: 23,778.  Added 2 videos to YouTube. Our MUExteision417 channel gets over 100,000 video views a year.

NEW EFFORTS  Researching various online tools for contact management for Expert Source Program. I have settled on using DonorSnap since it can be used to better manage our donors as well.

Will be waiting until late summer to implement this new software however because of prioritized trainings.  Hope to transition the news service to Constant Contact this summer from a free listserv provided by the University of Missouri.  Finishing all year-end reports and plan of work for the 2015-2016 academic year.  Making plans for our Salute to Century Farm event which is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 28 at the Round Barn.

PROGRAMS  Publicity chairman for “Spring PR Boot Camp” held in Springfield on April 28. I will also be emcee for the event which has a registration of 60.  Attended Give Ozarks planning meetings and David Burton finalized our materials Civic communication burtond@missouri.edu for use on May 5.  Quarterly meeting of the Greene County COAD meeting; working with the communications team on a disaster and media plan for the county.

GREAT GAME OF BUSINESS Attended the Great Game of Business training in Springfield. I have also read the book, viewed online videos and I am in the process of working with Lorri Winters to create tools for better explaining our finances. The goal is to involve all council members and staff in The Game. We will work together to find plans for improvement and devise ways to work together with the goal of finishing 2015 with the Greene County Extension finances in the black. Additional material about our Great Game work and plans can be found on our website or by using this direct link: http:// extension.missouri.edu/greene/GGOB.aspx NOTE OF SUPPORT “I think implementing Open Book Management with the Great Game is a great move. We wouldn't be in business today if we weren't playing the Game. If I could be of assistance let me know.”

— Joe Jenkins, owner of Jenkins Diesel and former Greene County Extension Council member.

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 administer 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

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Master Gardeners of Greene County Member Spotlight:

Upcoming Events

James Garton

May 3: Spring Banquet

When did you join Master Gardeners and why? I became a Master Gardener in 2011. I had been gardening for years and wanted to learn as much as I could about plants. In fact, I learn something new at every Master Gardener function and class that I attend.

What kind of gardening background do you have? I have planted a vegetable garden every year since 1970. Sometimes the garden doesn’t produce much and other years I’ve had lots of vegetables. I like to see plants grow.

May 7: ‘Color Me Happy Peonies’ 6-7:30 at the Botanical Center $5; register and pay in gift shop May 11: Learn to Grow in the Garden Series ‘Preparing Garden Soil’ at the Botanical Center; $5; register and pay in gift shop

Kelly McGowan Horticulture Educator University of Missouri Extension mcgowank@missouri.edu

May 12: MG Monthly Chapter Meeting; 6-8:30 at Botanical Center May 15: Young Sprouts in the Garden

What is one of your favorite growing tips that you would like to share? One of my favorite tips is caring for roses. I don’t prune rose bushes until the last chance of frost has occurred in the spring and water only in the morning and avoid getting water on the leaves.

My roses have grown and bloomed beautiful.

What are a couple of your favorite plants? I like to plant different things to see what happens. I especially like to plant annual flowers around the border of my vegetable garden to add color. A couple of my favorite plants are the lily and cone flowers which both seem to bloom most of the summer.

Anything else about yourself you would like to share? I have 12 hens that produce fresh eggs. I am currently giving eggs to our church youth group to use as a fund raiser. I also like to try different chicken breeds to get the best production. I also use the waste in my compost.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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 community gardens, conducting workshops, participating in a Master Gardener speakers’ bureau and staffing the Master Gardener “Hotline.” The Master Gardeners of Greene County can boast of over 275 members. For more information visit the chapter website at http://www.mggreene.org.

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Master Naturalists

Springfield Plateau Master Naturalist Chapter is Recognized with Missouri Conservation Honor The Springfield Plateau Master Naturalist chapter was named this year’s Conservation Federation of Missouri (CFM) Conservation Organization of the Year. The award was presented at the CFM Awards Banquet March 20 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. Each year, CFM recognizes volunteers and professionals for their efforts to improve and protect our natural resources.

The Springfield Plateau Master Naturalist Chapter is part of the Missouri Master Naturalist Program, a community-based natural resource education and volunteer program of MDC and the University of Missouri Extension. The program’s purpose is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide services pertaining to natural resource management.

The volunteer efforts of the Springfield Plateau Chapter were diverse. A few of the chapter’s long list of activities in 2014 included: Surveyed quail on several Missouri Department of Conservation prairies Surveyed mushrooms at Springfield’s Valley Water Mill Park and noted several species that had not previously been recorded in Missouri Monitored seven urban springs in Springfield for water quality Conducted invasive species plant control at La Petite Gemme Prairie in Polk County, one of Missouri’s designated Natural Areas.

Restored riparian corridors along two of Springfield’s urban creeks – Fassnight and South creeks Conducted education program for University of Missouri Extension’s early childhood day.

Developed a Bear Education Guide that were

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

used at several educational events in southwest Missouri in association with the MDC’s Bear Education trunks Developed a neighborhood Conservation Day event in Springfield's Center City area.

“The Springfield Plateau Chapter of Master Naturalists has demonstrated commitment to the natural resources of southwest Missouri in a number of ways,” said MDC Conservation Education Consultant Jay Barber. “Last year (2014) alone, they volunteered over 6,500 hours and cumulatively, since the chapter’s inception (2006), they have volunteered 38,200 hours.”

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 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/

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Horticulture Specialist Community Contact: TV and Radio  4 live interviews with KOLR10’s John Ziegler (2 delivered by Kelly McGowan, 1 by Master Gardener Terry Newport)  1 radio interview with Morris Westfall’s “Farm Page of the Air”  1 interview with Dustin Hodges of KY3 television Requests for information  Telephone contacts – 44 for advisement  Email contacts – 20 contacts  Office visits, professional contacts – 1 for consultation and advisement  Farm site visits – 15 for advisement

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“Vegetable Grafting”, MSU Vegetable Production class guest lecture (4/23/15)

Coordinated:  Master Gardeners of Greene County board meeting, Springfield (4/6/15) Patrick Byers  Master Gardeners of Horticulture Greene County chapbyerspl@missouri.edu ter meeting, Springfield (4/14/15)  Springfield Plateau Master Naturalists board meeting, Springfield (4/8/15)  Springfield Plateau Master Naturalist chapter meeting (4/20/15)  Master Gardeners of Greene County Hotline Development training, Springfield (4/20/15)  Master Gardeners of Greene County core training, Springfield (starts 2/17/15 and continues to 4/5/15)

Programs Presented:  Apple grafting workshops: Carthage (3/28/15), and Nixa (3/28/15)  Grape pruning demo, Springfield (3/31/15)  “Herbaceous Ornamentals”, Jasper County Master Gardeners core training, Carthage (3/31/15)  “Soils and Soil Health”, KRAFT Farmers Workshop, Springfield (4/8/15) Continued on next page  Tomato Grafting Workshop, Springfield (4/8/15)  “Basics of Home Vegetable Gardening”, Gardening Seminar, Gainesville (4/9/15)  “Raised Bed Gardening”, Gardening Seminar, Gainesville (4/9/15)  “Home Vegetable Production”, Gardening Seminar, Gainesville (4/10/15)  “Home Fruit Production”, Gardening SemiMaster Gardeners of Greene County Class of 2015 nar, Gainesville The new Master Gardeners finished classes on April 7 with 43 members.

(4/10/15) These enthusiastic gardeners have already been spending time in the  “Tomato Grafting”, gardens working on capstone projects. Groups were given beds to deworkshop for Reeds sign, plant, and care for during the upcoming growing season. Beds Spring HS vocational agriculture department, were located in the Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens and conReeds Spring (4/10/15) sisted of native plant areas, herbs, vegetables, and entrance border beds.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Horticulture Specialist  

Planning activities for Ornamentals IPM ISE to be held in Springfield, June 18-19, 2015 Horticulture soil test reports - recommendations and distribution for SW region – 54 reports during reporting period

Participated in:  Greene County Extension Council meeting, Springfield (3/30/15)  MyExtension ISE (3/31/15)  High Tunnels and Floral Crop Production ISE, Jefferson City (4/1-4/2/15)  Extension Master Gardener Leadership Team meeting (4/1/15)  Extension Global Food Systems thematic team meeting (4/6/15)  High tunnel construction workdays, MU SWREC (4/6/15, 4/22/15)  Planning meeting, MissouriGrown curriculum team (4/7/15)  SW Region Ag Category, Springfield (4/9/15)

   

“From Poverty to Promise”, conference hosted by Deaton Institute, Columbia (4/13/15) Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District annual mtg, Springfield (4/14/15) SW region faculty mtg, Springfield (4/21/15) Lincoln University Busby Farm advisory board meeting (4/22/15)

Human Interest – Greene County: Vegetable grafting is of increasing interest among farmers and home gardeners alike. A tomato grafting workshop was organized in cooperation with Lincoln University Extension at the Springfield Botanical Gardens on April 8.

The attendees tried their hand at tomato grafting, using heirloom cultivars and ‘Maxifort’ rootstock, under the guidance of MU horticulture specialist Patrick Byers, MU horticulture educator Kelly McGowan, and LU ISFOP specialist David Middleton.

Housing and Urban Development Specialist

Energy Savers Class Taught in Springfield May 18 Jeff Barber is teaching a "Low Cost, No Cost Home Energy Savers” workshop May 18 in Springfield (see details in graphic on this page).

According to Barber, participants will receive a “Home Energy & Water Conservation Kit” valued at $50 along $25 worth of MU Ex-

tension publication materials on home energy conservation.

The home energy conservation kits contain over 20 items, include two LED lights, water efficient showerheads, weather -strip and even paintable caulk and a caulking gun.

Jeff Barber Housing and design barberj@missouri.edu

Jeff Barber is working with leaders in area communities and students at Drury to develop projects and visioning documents that improve living and expand economic options. Information about his work can be found on the Greene County Extension website or contact him by phone at (417) 881-8909 or email at barberj@missouri.edu.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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4-H Report for Greene County

4-H Member Spotlight:

AB Burkhart A.B. Burkhart is one of two Greene County 4H members running for State 4-H Council Regional Representative position. These positions will be elected at State 4-H Congress, and there are four seats for the region.

This month we present the essay written by A.B. Burkhart.

What does a Regional Representative mean to me? What are the responsibilities of this role? It means representing 4-H to the best of my ability, to educate youth across the Southwest Region of Missouri about the opportunities 4-H has to offer.

Inspiring them to take opportunities that are placed in front of them. Educating youth about leadership, responsibility, and loyalty. If I were to become a Regional Representative I would do my very best to encourage people to make the best better, and help lead 4-H youth to be successful in doing this.

Yes, I have only been in 4-H for a year, but in that year I have become an active member of Greene County Teen Council. I became secretary of teen council, attended Share the Fun, Missouri State Congress, Youth Civic Leaders Summit, RATT trip, and many more activities. I was elected Vice President of my 4-H club my first year, and this year I am President. I have taken skills I have learned from leadership activities and brought them back to my club. In doing this I have made our meetings more fun and kid friendly because we have lots of little kids in our club. One of my bigger goals for my 4-H club is to inspire and encourage those kids to become as active as I am, so that when I age out of

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 making, communication, social interaction, civic responsibility and physical skills. Children do not have to live on a farm to join 4-H. Project opportunities include computers, robotics, foods and nutrition, horticulture, large and small animals and more.

Missouri 4-H is University of Missouri Extension's youth development program. Learn more online.

the program they will continue with the club and make it as strong as it can be. I have started to pave the way for them to take off and run with the idea of becoming an active member of 4-H. If I become Regional Representative I will make similar goals for the Southwest Region. I want to be responsible for helping make 4-H better known to youth and adults all over.

To me, becoming a Regional Representative would be my greatest accomplishment. Ever since I saw prior Regional Representatives at State Congress last year it has been something I have wanted to do. Even though I kind of got a late start to 4-H, I want to take every opportunity I can to go as far as I can with it. I plan to stay involved in 4-H for the rest of my life encouraging kids all over to take a look at 4-H and see where it takes them. I want to be a part of changing the world and I think starting with helping future leaders of the next generation make the best of opportunities they have been given is a good place to start.

Why not start with inspiring youth in the organization I love to become the great leaders I know they will be. This could be my next step in changing the world.

Contact 4-H Youth Development Specialist Karla Deaver at the Lawrence County Extension office by telephone at 417/466-3102 or by email at deaverk@missouri.edu.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated April 26, 2015

4-H Report for Greene County

Lawrence, Greene County Women Named 4-H Volunteer Award Winners Karla Grimm of Lawrence County and Brenda Wieder of Greene County were named 2015 Frank Graham 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award winners by the Missouri 4H Foundation on March 13. Both Grimm and Wider were recognized for their commitment to the University of Missouri Extension 4-H youth development program.

“It is our great pleasure to honor Karla Grimm and Brenda Wieder with the Frank Graham Volunteer Leadership award for their dedication to Missouri 4-H.” said Cheryl Reams, executive director of the Missouri 4H Foundation. “It is volunteers like Karla and

Hogan Showcases Shooting Skills at National Shooting Sports Invitational Nine teams of Missouri 4-H members and volunteer coaches will represent the state during the 2015 national championships June 2125 in Grand Island, Ne. Hunter Hogan, a junior at Ash Grove High School, isn’t new to the 4-H Shooting Sports program. He was on the small war pistol team last year at the national championship. He finished third in two events and his team took second place overall in the Camp Perry event.

Hogan said he was excited to be selected as part of this year’s archery team. Around 30 people tried out to be on the team.

The 4-H Shooting Sports National Championship is the largest national 4-H competitive event, with more than 500 4-H members Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

Brenda who have made Missouri 4-H the quality experience for young Missourians that it is today, and we are indebted to them for their service.”

Wieder currently serves as club leader for the Horsin’ Around 4-H. A certified Horse Bowl coach, Brenda was also instrumental in starting the Back to School Blast Horse Show that Greene County hosts each August, and continues to serve as Secretary of that event.

“Brenda’s support of the county Horse bowl, hippology and horse judging teams is a contributing factor to the program’s recent successes,” said Deaver.

The Frank Graham 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award recognizes leaders who work to guide our youth. The award is named for Frank Graham, who served as director of MU Extension 4-H Youth Programs from 1958 to 1975.

from 34 different states participating.

A team will represent Missouri in every event. The 4-H national shooting competition is unique because the 4 -H members shoot three different events during the three days of competition.

At the conclusion of the shooting com- Hunter Hogan petition, one state will be recognized for the best all-around state team. Missouri won the overall traveling trophy in 2010, and has finished second in every other year since 2003.

Reprinted from Ash Grove Commonwealth Page 14

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

2015 Contributors to “Friends of Greene County Extension” Corporate Level Sanford, Lea and Associates Master Gardeners of Greene County

Patron Level George Deatz Ann Hall

Contributor Level

Barb & Bob Kipfer MFA of Ash Grove Pauline Marsh MFA Incorporated Dr. Don Nicholson Ryan Lawn & Tree Katie Steinhoff Stephen & Sally Taylor Gene Wallace David & Glenda Welde

David & Stacey Burton

Partner Level

FCS Financial Carl Hathcock Galen Jones Jack Kaiser Springfield Water Garden Society Ronald & Sue Terry

Kim Chaffin George Freeman Matthew Simpson Patsy Spindler Emma Valentin

Friends Level Glenn Blake Lisa & Randy Bakerink M.D. Bonebrake Shelby Bradley Joyce Brown Malia Bucher Ramona Burton Carr Stock Farms, LLC Major & Marthe Close Johnny Davis Jim Eckhoff Gale Edwards James Garton David Hall Avis Holloway Dr. Jeff Jones

Associate Level Alice Counts Barb Decker Rob & Brenda Funkhouser Rebecca Hoy Fred & Dorothy Miller Dean & Jackie Morgan Edie Nelson Lamont Nelson Benjamin Newville Minuen Odom Robert Pears Ruth Penaherrera-Norton Rebecca Roller Dale & Carrie Sanders Jeanie Skibiski Virginia Snyder Randy Underwood

Total Contributed: Cash = $13,502

Donate Old Vehicles or Farm Equipment to Greene County Extension The Greene County Extension Council is generating money for educational programs thanks to a partnership with CoPart, a national company with a Rogersville location.

Cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, ATVs, boats, boat motors and farm equipment -- in any condition -- can now be donated.

Donations can be arranged through Greene County Extension. Arrangements are then made to have CoPart pick up the vehicle at a time that works best for the donor. Another option is for the donor to deliver the item to CoPart’s location in Rogersville and save Extension the hauling fee. CoPart specializes in online auctions of vehicles, boats and farm equipment at www.copart.com.

When contacting the local extension office with a donation be prepared to give the following: name, address and telephone for the owner and type of item. If it is a vehicle we will need VIN, make, model, year, color and mileage. When the vehicle is picked up (or delivered) the owner must sign over the title.

In 2014, over $4,000 was generated for the extension office with this program. Visit extension.missouri.edu/greene for details.

Friends of Greene County Extension Since 1914, Greene County residents have sought help in agriculture, gardening, 4-H youth, nutrition, families, business and community development from Extension. Members of “Friends of Greene County Extension” contribute financially to make it possible for Extension to continue having a positive impact on the quality of life in Greene County.

Learn how to help by calling (417) 881-8909 or going to http://extension.missouri.edu/greene

Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated April 26, 2015

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 confirm location of meeting.

4-H Leader’s Council Meetings: 3rd Thursday 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 Battlefield (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.

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.

Corporate Sponsors 

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Sanford, Lea and Associates, CPA, Springfield, Mo.: (417) 886-2220, www.adifferentcpa.com Master Gardeners of Greene County: http://www.mggreene.org Meyer Communications, KWTO 560 AM / KTXR 101.3 FM: (417) 862-3751 www.radiospringfield.com/ Greene County Commission, 933 N Robberson Ave., Springfield, MO 65802 http://www.greenecountymo.org/ Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Ph 417-864-1049, www.parkboard.org

Can I Help?

Lorri Winters can help customers with material needs, soil tests or program registrations.

Contact her at the Greene County Extension Center, (417) 881-8909 or email her at wintersl@missouri.edu. Lorri Winters joined Greene County Extension in 2005.

Lorri Winters Office Manager

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.

Each “Reaching Out Report” is used by Greene County Extension specialists to concisely communicate 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 Burton, at (417) 881-8909.

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