December 2018 Reaching Out Report

2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo. 65807 Email: burtond@missouri.edu Tel: (417) 881-8909

Reaching Out Report December 2018 * Vol. 11 Issue 12 Monthly Newsletter of Greene County Extension

Council Meetings December — no meeting of council; officers approve bills and personnel committee will meet as well.

Monday, January, 28, Botanical Center, $5 meal, guest speaker: Sarah Havens, natural resource specialist for MU Ext. Monday, Feb. 11 — Annual Meeting and Mizzou Alumni Founders Day event, 6 p.m., location and details to be announced. Special guest speakers representing Mizzou, Athletics and MU Extension.

Monday, Feb. 25 — Botanical Center, $5 meal, guest speaker: TBA.

Program Calendar

The most up-to-date list of upcoming MU Extension programs in Greene County are at http:// extension.missouri.edu/ greene

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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.

University of Missouri Extension is an equal opportunity/ access/ affirmative action/ pro-disabled and veteran employer.

County Engagement Engagement Report for Greene County MU Extension Updated November 19, 2018

Method for Engagement Reaching Out Report - online at Issuu Southwest Regional News Service Greene County Extension Facebook Twitter Youtube MU Extension417 views Extension Council engagement

EXCEL and Leader engagement TOTAL

MEASURED SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

Current This Followers Month

Change from Year to previous Date 2018 Goal month

1,147

435

2717

2500

-102

8,853

5176

60776

50,000

-114

1937

12874

179873

45,000

-12,566

178

22

193

300

4

797

3020

29666

10,000

-1855

22

34

411

400

-2

72

44

208

150

6

13,006

21,605

273,844

108,350

NOTES OF INTEREST: Our social media r each has been negatively impacted by some decisions by Facebook regarding our ad quality and new limitations on what we can do to promote the page. Of course our ad budget is also limited. It simply brings to the forefront again the importance of word-of-mouth and getting council members and staff and volunteers to talk with friends and community members about our upcoming programs.

Goals and for the year (as of November 20, 2018) DRIVERS FOR 2018 Actual Soil tests 346 Total Registrations 1040 Total Donors 38

Goal 400 1,000 120

Pert 87% 104% 32%

2017 359 1,162 91

2016 378 744 68

2015 332 660 102

10-Year Goals and Vision Progress Report Greene County MU Extension will help county businesses create or save 5000 jobs, individually educate 500,000 county residents on topics improving their families, farms, and nutrition, and train 1,500 new community leaders and volunteers by 2030.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

Category

YTD Goal Progress 847 5000 17% Jobs Created/Retained Individuals educated 48496 500000 10% Leaders/Volunteers 93 1500 6%

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

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Agriculture and the Environment

Kelly McGowan

Horticulture Specialist mcgowank@missouri.edu

McGowan Trained, Ready to Deliver Produce Safety Curriculum to Growers In response to the 2015 FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) Produce Safety Rule, the Produce Safety Alliance, in partnership with the USDA and Cornell University, developed curriculum for farmers and growers effected by the ruling. The curriculum includes standards for the growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce for human consumption.

Extension educators from across the country are being trained by the Produce Safety Alliance to carry out the trainings in their area.

Kelly McGowan, field specialist in horticulture with MU Extension in Greene County, took part in this training November 710 in Boulder, Colorado. She will now be helping to deliver the produce safety curriculum to growers in southwest Missouri.

Growers who participate in the training will not only be meeting the federal requirements, but also be better able to prevent food borne illness and contaminations on their farms.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

Space for Rent

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

Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene Close Memorial Park.

417-891-1515 | www.botanicalcenter.org

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

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Agriculture and the Environment Time to Sign-up …

Master Gardener Training Begins Feb. 12 in Springfield SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Opportunities to gain and share horticultural knowledge are available through University of Missouri Extension’s Master Gardener program in Greene County.

The Master Gardener core training sessions will be held Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., starting Feb. 12 and running through April 11. Classes will be held at the Botanical Center, 2400 South Scenic, Springfield.

A total of 12 three-hour sessions taught by trained professionals and will cover horticulture principles and practices.

Ornamentals, turf, vegetables, fruit crops and landscape design are some of the subjects covered through this course.

The cost to attend the classes is $160 per person or $275 for couples sharing a textbook. If interested in the training, contact Kelly McGowan, horticulture educator with MU Extension, at 874-2965 or by email at mcgowank@missouri.edu.

In addition to the training, Master Gardeners become University of Missouri Extension volunteers and assist with horticulture education and projects in the

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

community. Thirty volunteer hours from participants are required the first year after training. Following that, 20 volunteer service hours and six continuing education hours are required each year to remain an active Master Gardener.

“We depend on the help of our Master Gardeners to do horticulture programming in Greene County,” said McGowan. “Members find working and learning in the demonstration gardens fun and helping with the mission of MU Extension makes this valuable to the community.”

Individuals interested in becoming a Master Gardener in Greene County must also attend one of MU Extension’s mandatory orientation sessions at the Botanical Center.

“Attendance at an orientation session is a mandatory first step to becoming a Master Gardener. 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 McGowan.

Persons interested in participating in the Master Gardener program may also contact the Greene County MU Extension Center in Springfield at (417) 881-8909.

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

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Agriculture and the Environment LIMITED SEATING

Popular “Regional Hay School” Being Offered in Springfield, Dec. 4, 11 and 13 Southwest Missouri hay producers will have an opportunity to attend a regional school in Springfield on three nights in December to learn how to improve their hay making skills.

The program is offered by Greene County University of Missouri Extension in cooperation with the Missouri State University William H. Darr College of Agriculture.

This three-night non-credit course is specifically designed for livestock producers who already own hay equipment or have hay custom harvested on their land.

All aspects of hay and round bale silage production will be covered according to Tim Schnakenberg, an agronomy field specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

“Attending a hay school is an important management tool to insure that you will get the most out of your land, time and hay equipment during the 2019 season,” said Schnakenberg.

The program will focus on topics like economics of hay production, forage options, hay quality issues and testing, fertility management, round bale silage management, hay storage, feeding to keep losses low and nutritional needs of cattle.

This regional hay school will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., December 4, 11 and 13, at the Darr Agricultural Center, 2401 S. Kansas Expressway, Springfield.

There is a small fee to attend the program which includes three meals. The program is also underwritten by MFA, Heritage Tractor of Rogersville and Vermeer.

Preregistration is required by November 28 and space is limited. Contact the Greene County MU Extension Center at 417-881-8909 to preregister or download the event brochure and register online at http://extension.missouri.edu/ greene.

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Business and Community The Search is on for “Presenting Sponsors” to Support 2019 Greene County Extension Programs The search is now on for 2019 “presenting sponsors” for Greene County MU Extension programs according to David Burton, county engagement specialist for University of Missouri Extension in Greene County.

“Being a presenting sponsor for our programs offers a unique opportunity at the reasonable price of $1,500 for 12 months,” said Burton. “This is an excellent marketing opportunity that brings recognition to the sponsor and support to the local extension office.”

Presenting sponsors are listed on advertisements, media releases and promotions of the major programs offering by Greene County Extension during the year. All presenting sponsors are also listed on event flyers, the Greene County Extension monthly newsletter, and the weekly email blast that goes out to over 10,000 subscribers in southwest Missouri.

Burton explains that many businesses sponsor individual programs or events to target specific audiences at a smaller price.

“The presenting sponsor package helps the extension office with event planning and marketing but it also gives the sponsor access to the thousands of people we reach during the year with our marketing and our programs,” said Burton.

Greene County Extension annually hosts fee-based programs with an attendance of over 1,500 people. Over 48,000 county residents accessed

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

programs through Greene County Extension in 2018. However, marketing efforts by the extension office for these programs reach over 100,000 a year.

“Everything we do is focused on meeting our 10 year goal,” said Burton.

The goal reads: Greene County MU Extension will help county businesses create or save 5,000 jobs, individually educate 500,000 county residents on topics improving their families, farms, and nutrition, and train 1,500 new community leaders and volunteers by 2030.

Current presenting sponsors include Integrity Home Care and Hospice, Greene County Farm Bureau, Southwest Electric Cooperative, Greene County Commission, Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District and the SpringfieldGreene County Park Board.

For more information on how your business can become a presenting sponsor, contact David Burton at the Greene County MU Extension office by email at burtond@missouri.edu.

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Youth and Families

Satisfaction High for “Matter of Balance” A Matter of Balance courses have started in Ash Grove and Springfield.

Additional classes will be added if interest merits. Persons interested in joining the fun, call 417-881-8899.

At this point, based on actual feedback from participants, Renette Wardlow, human development specialist with University of Missouri Extension, says satisfaction is high among class participants.

Dana said, “This class has helped me to be more aware of my surroundings, in a safety sense for myself and others.”

Renette Wardlow Louise said, “Thank you for offering this class, It re-enforces Human Development what I have been doing. This is so important to stay active as long wardlowr@missouri.edu as possible.”

Judy said, “This class has helped me so far to keep moving and use my left leg more and it is becoming better each day and in every way.”

Marcene said, “This class gives me more confidence when walking. I am doing the exercises at home between classes.”

“As I get older (70+) the risk of falling is growing. Added to that, fear is the medications that produce side effects. This alone has helped my awareness of falling and increased my caution,” said Joe Gailene said, “Renette is a pleasure to learn from. She is easy to follow. I am excited to see this program offered to help us improve our mobility and prevent falls. I look forward to the meeting each week.”

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Youth and Families

Process to Hire 4-H Youth Program Associate in Greene County Continues to Move Forward Members of the Greene County MU Extension Council, 4-H specialists with University of Missouri Extension, and staff from the Greene County juvenile office are reviewing resumes and preparing to conduct interviews for the 4-H Youth Program Associate that will serve Greene County.

The goal is to have an individual hired and ready to begin after January 1, 2019.

It has been about 10 years since Greene County has had a youth program associate.

This new position is a partnership with the Greene County juvenile office. The associate will create, implement and lead a 4-H club and related programming at the county juvenile academy.

The other half of the position is to create and support new 4-H clubs in the county, especially those that could accommodate students that graduate from the juvenile academy.

“Our staff and the county commissioners have talked for years about how 4-H members do not end up in the county jail,” said David Burton, county engagement specialist with Greene County. “Now it is time to test 4-H and see if the programming can help keep some students from going back.”

The program will be unique to Missouri.

However, it is also an important step forward to growing 4-H statewide and specifically in Greene County.

“We have so many requests for 4-H programs and clubs that this new hire will have plenty to do,” said Burton. “There is a learning curve to any job but the person in this position should be able to demonstrate some successes in the very first year.

Council interviews will be on Dec. 6.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

Short-term Volunteers are Needed to Lead Greene County 4-H Spin Clubs 4-H SPIN clubs allow youth ages 5 to 18 with common interests or hobbies to meet as a club and learn more about their special interest.

Whatever their passion is, youth can enhance their skills through a positive group experience. A 4-H SPIN club can be started with a minimum of one adult volunteer and five youth with an interest in a particular topic.

The adult(s) provide expertise and guidance in the subject area for 6 to 8 meetings. Then the SPIN Club is over.

SPIN Clubs are a great way to introduce young people to a specific topic or interest they might not otherwise have a chance to develop within a group setting built around the principles of Positive Youth Development (PYD).

In Greene County, David Burton has set a goal to create leadership focused SPIN Clubs with guidance from county extension council members or members of the EXCEL program.

Volunteers must pass a background screening and coordinate with the local 4-H specialist.

More information can be found online at extension.missouri.edu.

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Youth and Families Sponsors Needed to Expand and Support Mizzou’s Robotics Program at Weaver Elementary in Springfield Melissa Plunk, Numeracy Coach at Weaver Elementary School in Springfield, has seen the difference University of Missouri’s robotics program can make on a student.

Now in her third year of leading the program at Weaver, Plunk says students show improvement in measurements, decimals, problem-solving, general math and communication.

“The program helps students with their perseverance,” said Plunk. “In math, it is so easy for students to get frustrated and give up.

Every summer … I remember the improvement I see in these student’s perseverance, and I say yes to doing the program again.”

Weaver Robotics has 18 fourth and fifthgrade students this year. They meet weekly to program robots and prepare for the annual Robotics Design Challenge, ( LEGO Challenge) hosted at the University of Missouri in April.

Satish Nair, a professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering and Bioengineering Departments at the University of Missouri, started the Robotics Design Challenge 15 years ago. The goal of the LEGO Challenge is to introduce engineering and math to kids before they become scared of it.

Nair said children make up their minds on math as early as elementary school.

“Somewhere along the line I think kids, boys, and girls, decide that math or even other STEM classes, are not for them,” Nair said.

“We’d like to dispel that myth by introducing math in a fun, accessible way.”

The MU Elementary Engineering Academy (EEA) aims to initiate the TECH4K5 robotics programs, an after-school STEM program, in elementary schools throughout Missouri.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

“Once we have a sponsorship model at one school, we want to replicate that in other rural and Title I schools,” said Nair. “This local funding, along with larger statewide sponsors, are needed to help sustain the program.”

MU campus staff, with help from University of Missouri Extension, is currently seeking sponsors for local robotics chapters.

An annual membership requires an investment of $1,500 to the university but all funds will be used to run the local program.

For information on how to sponsor the robotics program at Weaver Elementary in Springfield, or other robotics teams in Missouri, contact Dr. Satish S. Nair at the University of Missouri by telephone at 573882-2964 or by email at nairs@missouri.edu.

Weaver Robotics Club members practice programming and moving their robots through a maze. The program is part of an ongoing relationship with MU.

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated November 20, 2018

As Seen on Facebook and YouTube The Facebook page for the Greene County Extension Council is regularly updated with reports and photos from ongoing classes and special events. Want to know more about how the impact of MU Extension on Greene County? Follow us on Facebook. Want notification of our newest videos, follow us at YouTube.com/MUExtension417. Here are the highlights for this month.

Strategic Doing Dr. Amy Patillo

72 YouTube views 441 Facebook views

254 reached 8 engaged

Butternut Squash

Kelly McGowan

89 YouTube views 556 Facebook views

454 reached 32 engaged

EXCEL

With David Burton

32YouTube views to date 331 views on Facebook

1953 reached 151 engaged

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

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MU Extension Staff Headquartered in Greene County Kelly McGowan Horticulture Specialist mcgowank@missouri.edu

Started: 2012 Education: Bachelor s in horticulture from Missouri State; Masters in Forestry from University of Missouri.

Job responsibilities: I coor dinate the Cor e Training for the Greene County Master Gardeners, assist the Master Gardener chapter, and also develop and plan educational opportunities and events for the public.

Renette Wardlow Human Development wardlowr@missouri.edu

David Burton

County Engagement in Community Development burtond@missouri.edu Started: 2001 Education: Journalism and political science (Bachelors); Master’s in marketing and communications, Drury.

Job responsibilities: Community engagement through leadership development, social media, heritage tourism, and media relations efforts.

Helps council to operate, fund and administer extension office and to plan local programs.

Jeff Barber

Housing and Design barberj@missouri.edu

Started: J an. 1987

Started: Sept. 2005

Education: Bachelor ’s and Master’s in human development and family studies, University of Arkansas.

Education: Master ’s of architecture, University of Oklahoma; Bachelor’s in art and architecture from Drury.

Responsibilities: Pr ogr ams r elated to par enting, youth development, character education, teen issues, anger and stress management, building positive self-esteem and child development.

Vacant

Nutrition Specialist Started: 2018 Education: Responsibilities: Nutr ition and health education programs including classes on chronic disease management, food preservation and more.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

Responsibilities: Jeff Bar ber is wor king with leaders in area communities and students at Drury to develop projects and visioning documents that improve living and expand economic options.

Amy Patillo

Workforce Development patilloa@missouri.edu Started: November 2011 Education: Bachelor ’s in Communications Sciences and Disorders; Master’s in Educational Administration and Communications; Ed.D. in Educational Administration.

Responsibilities: Wor kfor ce development, leadership and community development programming for businesses, government agencies and nonprofits and leading local foods grants.

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Greene County “Reaching Out� Report

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MU Extension Staff Serving Greene County Sherri Hull Nutrition Program Associate Joined 2008

M. Dickensheet Nutrition Program Associate Joined 2018

Marty Wood Nutrition Program Associate Joined 2000

Contact: Chrystal Irons

Della Miller

Located inside the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center 405 N. Jefferson Ave. Springfield, Mo Smart

Sandra Smart-Winegar

Nutrition Program Associate Joined 2018

Terri Fossett Program director Joined 2000

Family Nutrition Education Program 2160 W. Chesterfield Blvd. F200, Chesterfield Village, Springfield, Tel: 417-886-2059

Karla Deaver

4-H Youth specialist Headquartered in Lawrence County Tel: (417) 466-3102 Email: deaverk@missouri.edu

Tim Schnakenberg

Agronomy specialist Headquartered in Stone County Tel: (417) 357-6812 Email: schnakenbergc@missouri.edu

Irons

417-837-2617-Phone https://sbtdc.missouristate.edu/

Andy McCorkill

Livestock specialist Headquartered in Dallas County Tel: (417) 345-7551 Email: mccorkilla@missouri.edu

Patrick Byers

Horticulture Specialist Headquartered in Webster County Tel: (417) 859-2044 Email: byerspl@missouri.edu

Jim Spencer Jr.

Agriculture Business Specialist Headquartered in Christian County Tel: (417) 3581-3558 Email: spencerjr@missouri.edu

Southwest Region Directors Office 3003 E. Chestnut Expressway, Suite 200, Springfield, Mo. Tel: (417) 865-0707 Jay Chism, Regional Dir ector E-mail: chismj@missouri.edu Sarah Grubaugh, Administr ative Assistant Email: GrubaughS@missouri.edu

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

Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated November 20, 2018 Home to these programs and more!

The Extension office offers:          

Soil testing Lawn and gardening hotline Health 4-H program for youth Leadership development programs Nutrition education for families On farm education Private pesticide applicator trainings Programs for new business owners.

Training for communities, non-profits And much more

and Safety

Extension history in county:

Since 1914, Greene County and area residents have sought help from Extension in areas related to agriculture, gardening, 4-H youth, nutrition, families, business and community development. MU Extension programs focus on the high-priority needs of Missourians to improve lives, communities and economies with relevant, responsive and reliable educational solutions. Each county extension center, with oversight by elected and appointed citizens, is your local link to practical education on almost anything.

Facebook: Become a Fan

Find the Greene County Extension Council on Facebook along with Master Gardeners of Greene County and MUExtension417.

“Reaching Out Report”

Monthly newsletter from Greene County Extension details events and is available at http://issuu.com/greenecoext.

Monthly Extension Meetings

4-H Leader’s Council Meetings: 3r d Thursday of month (except July),7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Springfield Livestock Marketing Center.

Master Gardeners of Greene County— board meeting: Fir st Monday of each month at 4:30 p.m. at the Botanical Center.

Master Naturalists Board Meetings: at 5:30 p.m. at the MDC regional office, on the second Wednesday of the month.

Greene County Extension Council: Last Monday of the month at noon at the Springfield Botanical Center. In May, meeting is on Tuesday.

Maggie Black

Office Manager for Greene County MU Extension Joined the local office in 2015 Maggie manages office financials, soil tests, event registrations, council relations, and customer service of all types.

Greene County MU Extension Office located inside the SpringfieldGreene County Botanical Center

2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo. 65807 Tel: (417) 881-8909 greeneco@missouri.edu Office hours: Monday - Friday * 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

http://extension.missouri.edu

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