June 2017

“Reaching Out Report” the Greene County Extension Newsletter

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

June 2017 *

Vol. 10, Issue 6

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Each month read updates and reports on these University of Missouri Extension programs in Greene County:  Nutrition  Community and Human Development  Horticulture  Agriculture  4-H Youth  Local Foods Each “Reaching Out Report” is used by Greene County Extension specialists to concisely communicate activities, impacts and events to members of the Greene County Extension Council, Greene County Commission and Greene County residents.

Tim Schnakenberg shows some pests during an alfalfa tour near Ash Grove —Page 6

LOCAL EVENTS

See program lists and calendars inside this newsletter for a glimpse of what is coming up.

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Become a subscriber and receive a monthly email with the direct link for reading the “Reaching Out Report” online. Subscribe on our website.

Partnerships Helped to Make Give Ozarks a great success —Page 9

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

Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated May 26, 2017

Great Game of Business for Government/Non-Profits

INCOME

2017

2017

2017

YTD #s

Budget #

DIFF

Notes for the month

Student Fees

$10,848.00

$22,000.00

County Appropriations

$44,000.00

$44,000.00

$0.00

Gifts/Grants/Contracts

$6,356.00

$16,000.00

$9,644.00

Resales/Fees/Soil Tests

$6,089.00

$11,000.00

$4,911.00

Program Support Fund

TOTAL INCOME EXPENSES

$11,152.00

$0.00

$7,350.00

$7,350.00

$67,293.00

$100,350.00

$33,057.00

Budget #

YTD #s

DIFF

Personnel Wages/Benefits

$17,226.00

$42,000.00

$24,774.00

Travel for county programs

$2,256.00

$8,000.00

$5,744.00

Office operations

$2,522.00

$8,550.00

$4,354.00

Marketing & Printing

$4,255.00

$15,700.00

$11,445.00

Supplies/Services/Repairs

$6,954.00

$13,500.00

$6,546.00

$204.00

$600.00

$396.00

Endowment

$2,000.00

$0.00

Fee Generation to MU

$4,857.00

$12,000.00

$7,143.00

$40,274.00

$100,350.00

$60,076.00

Extension Council

TOTAL EXPENSES NET INCOME

$

27,019.00

$

DRIVERS FOR 2017 Actual Soil tests 205 Total Paid Registrations 665 Total Donors 55

-

Goal 400 750 80

-$27,019.00

Pert 51% 89% 69%

Our “Twilight Zone” game puts the emphasis on getting a strong attendance at three summer farm events. We put our total attendance goal at 175 for these three events.

The alfalfa tour drew 42 (our goal was 50). The dairy tour has yet to be set but has a goal of 50.

Our tomato festival, which is now set for July 18, has an attendance goal of 75.

Our entire staff is going to need to pull together to reach these goals and earn those twilight prizes!

2016 378 744 68

2015 332 660 102

2014 306

541 115

Accessing Great Game of Business 2017 Data

Accounting sheets for all events with paid registration can be found on our website as part of the Great Game. These sheets are used as part of our education process with staff, our council and others. Find them online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene/ggob.aspx

Photos of our scoreboard updates appear on the Greene County Extension Council Facebook page.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Greene County “Reaching Out� Report

Last Updated May 26, 2017

Local programs that can improve your life!

June 2017 Programs / Enroll Now! Food Preservation Classes June 12, 17 and 20 Learn to make salsa, jellies/jams, or do pressure cooker canning at classes held June 12, 17 and 20 at Metro Appliances, Springfield.

25th Anniversary of WaterWise Garden June 3 Celebrate this garden at National Ave and Lindwood in Springfield with garden tours and displays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 3.

Native Plants for Home Landscaping June 9

Learn to incorporate native plants into home landscaping in class at 10 a.m., June 9 at Springfield Botanical Gardens. $10 per person.

Butterfly Festival and Young Sprouts June 24

Butterfly Festival and Young Sprouts in the Garden takes place on June 24 at Springfield Botanical Gardens. More information online.

Tomato Festival at Botanical Center July 18

This program features information on growing and using tomatoes, a sampling of tomato varieties and a tomato sale. Register early.

Greene County Extension Council 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo. 65807 Phone: (417) 881-8909

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

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated May 26, 2017

Zone 1 Programs Impacts by MU Extension

Impacting Zone 1 the Extension Way

The city of Springfield has an imitative to address poverty in the poorest area of the city. Zone 1 is in the northwest portion of the city. The mission of this effort is to “create a sustained system for lifting people out of poverty by creating an environment whereby neighbors from throughout the community work together to address challenges and create opportunities.”

Greene County MU Extension specialists and affiliated programs (Family Nutrition Education Program, Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, Regional Food Council and more) are active in Zone 1 offering assistance and teaching special nutrition, gardening and business classes.

This section of the newsletter each month will highlight some of the efforts by Greene County MU Extension in Zone 1 of Springfield. 

MU Extension specialists Patrick Byers and Kelly McGowan have helped to deliver gardening related classes to Zone 1 residents at the

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

Fairbanks, a community center pr oject dedicated to lifting people out of poverty. 

Regular nutrition programs for children and adults in Zone 1 ar e detailed in this report.



Several Master Gardeners are very involved with teaching and working at the community gardens near the Fairbanks.

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

Last Updated May 26, 2017

4-H Youth

Personal Presentations Day Held at Livestock Marketing Center Personal Presentation day was held in April at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center. Two members of the Greene County Extension Council served as judges (Kent John and Tyler Gunlock) and club and project leaders also worked to make the event possible.

Student demonstrations were given in horse public speaking, prepared speeches, extemporaneous speaking, technology assisted speaking, dramatic interpretation and humorous interpretation. Some students participated in the fashion revue and also showed their projects in arts and crafts, beef, cake decorating, clothing, dog, foods, horse, photography poultry, shooting sports and swine.

The Lucky 11 Club hosted the event and high performers earned a trip to Regional Achievement Day. Many events also earn opportunities to participate at state contests, Ozark Empire Fair and Missouri State Fair.

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

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 4H 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. Pr oject 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.

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated May 26, 2017

Agriculture

Farm Tour Near Ash Grove Answers “What Can Alfalfa Do For You?” Good hay does not have to come over the state line. That was the message at the recent MU Extension Alfalfa Tour held at the Ash Grove farm of Rick and Justin Williams, in Greene County.

Greene County is in the heart of Missouri agriculture territory, said MU Extension agronomy specialist Tim Schnakenberg. The county’s rolling hills and large livestock numbers create a strong market for quality alfalfa. Schnakenberg works with producers to help them decide whether to grow or buy hay.

According to the latest U.S. census data, the county had $41 million market value of agricultural products sold in 2012, with 83 percent of that from livestock sales. It is 18th in the state in beef production and 19th in milk production. It ranks 11th in forage production and second in the number of horses. Nearly 50 percent of the farmland in the county is pastureland.

He said growers with hay equipment see a better return on investment with alfalfa than with fescue. However, growing alfalfa takes planning.

“You have to prepare for alfalfa,” Schnakenberg said. “You don’t wake up one morning and decide you want to plant alfalfa.”

Justin Williams, host for the alfalfa tour, is one of the young Ozark producers who turned to alfalfa to meet demand from area livestock and horse producers. He touts the strong nutritional value of alfalfa over fescue. Alfalfa also produces more tonnage per acre than fescue. Alfalfa yields more than 4 tons of dry matter per acre in the Greene County area. Fescue makes 1.5 - 2 tons.

Williams learned how to produce high-quality alfalfa with the help of MU Extension. He shared tips with more than 40 attendees at the tour. Fertility and cutting management top the list of tips.

He cuts hay no shorter than 3 inches and lets it lie overnight. On the second day, he rakes the hay at daylight. When his tractor tires get wet during raking, he knows it is too wet to rake. He does not use inverters to flip hay because each pass causes hay stems to lose leaves and nutrition. He does not cut past frost when alfalfa becomes dormant.

He looks for birds in his fields. Their presence implies alfalfa weevils. Alfalfa also is susceptible

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

to potato leafhopper some years.

Williams plants with a no-till drill in the fall, but says alfalfa offers flexible planting times. He plants 20 pounds of coated seeds in one direction.

Coated seeds cost more but survive better. Sixty percent of alfalfa seedlings die the first year, said Schnakenberg.

Established stands have been known to produce 10-14 years when conditions are good and management is conducive to alfalfa.

Williams said he has worked with extension specialists to improve the return on investment on hay he sells. Know your market, he says. He has found that small square bales sell better to sheep, goat and horse owners. Feedlots favor big bales.

Schnakenberg recommended that producers review the forage page of MU Extension’s Missouri Crop Resource Guide at crops.missouri.edu/ forage.

The tour was made possible by a sponsorship from Mid-Missouri Bank.

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

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Agriculture Tim Schnakenberg is the agronomy specialist serving Greene County (along with others). Here is his report on his county activities.

Soil and Forage Analysis Signed off on soil test recommendations and gave educational advice on tests for Stone, Taney, Christian, Barry, Lawrence and Greene counties.

Ash Grove on April 25 with. 45 people attended. Schnakenberg spoke on fundamentals of raising alfalfa and pest management, using both a classroom setting and in the field. Instructors Eldon Cole, Andy McCorkill and Tim Schnakenberg are shown below.

Farm Visits / Consultations – Answered phone calls and emails from local producers. Information requests averaged 6 per day.

Springfield Organic Garden Club – A presentation May 23 in Springfield on the topic of plant diseases and diagnostics.

Alfalfa in the Ozarks Tour – Conducted a tour on an alfalfa hay operation near

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

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Civic Communication Specialist & County Program Director CPD Meetings and More      

Regularly attend meetings of the County Commission’s where I share this newsletter.

Training in QuickBooks Production of weekly media releases, publications and coordinate programs.

Community meetings or events attended this month in an official capacity: 12 Attending Master Gardener board meetings.

Weekly Great Game of Business huddles and updating of scorecard

Programming

Working to present these in Springfield:  Food Preservation classes in June  Master Beekeeping 2 on May 26  Presented program on area rural schools at senior living center 

Instructor for Leadership Online for Today (online class) planned for the summer.



Extensive online management as it related to the flooding and distribution of Extension information to communities and families.

Media Reach Southwest Region News Service for this month:  Traditional media views: 1.33 million  Facebook views I administer: 1,891,569  Wrote/edited 48 media releases and 14 newspaper and magazine columns.  Have increased followers of Greene County Extension on social media this month by 21.  Used a “boost” on several events this month to reach new audiences and to also share flood resources.

Grants and Plans 

I am writing proposals related local programs.

One proposal would mesh community journalism with leadership training.





Planning a Greene County Extension Agriculture Tour with the County Commission.

Applications being received and planning is underway for our Century Farms program. I am also working out the details for an afternoon educational program for David Burton existing Century Farm Civic communication families focused on burtond@missouri.edu land transfers and ways to help keep the family on the farm.

Media and the Courts

I have been contracted to make two presentations to Missouri lawyers and judges during two different Missouri trainings this summer. These will take place at Lake of the Ozarks and in Kansas City. The presentation will showcase information taken from some recent research I have done among Missouri reporters about covering the courts and county crime.

Improved Financial Reporting

The Extension Council approved the use of an outside bookkeeper in the fall. This bookkeeper is experienced and has made several recommendations that will, in the future, help our financial statements present a more accurate picture of our past and future finances. We continue this month with some account transfers that will simplify our financial statement in 2018 and make it easier to track grants and other program dollars. In addition, our council audit made a recommendation regarding checking accounts with the council EIN and we are in the process of moving the Master Gardener and Master Naturalist checking accounts back under the council, which bears the ultimate liability for those monies.

David Burton’s focus of work as civic communication specialist: Community engagement thr ough communication and media relations, leading and moderating focus groups, non-profit education, social media in support of disaster recovery, marketing extension regionally, heritage tourism; and engaging council members with media relations efforts like the Southwest Region News Service.

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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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

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Civic Communication Specialist & County Program Director

Give Ozarks Campaign Nets $2,858, Increases Awareness for Extension, and Results in a Spirit Award for Efforts The Greene County Extension Council missed its goal of $5,000 but will use the $2,858 donations it did receive from 31 donors to expand the annual Century Farm program held in September during the 3rd Annual Give Ozarks Day on May 9.

This year, Greene County Extension also partnered with Springfield-Greene County Parks, Friends of the Garden and the Friends of GrayCampbell Farmstead to host special events all day at the Springfield Botanical Gardens. Council chair Joe Crim and Harold Bender played music in the park for two hours as part of the special events.

The partners also worked together to collect nearly $600 at the gate on May 9 and one of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks “Spirit Awards” for an additional $250.

“We also saw over 800 cars enter the park that day. Every visitor received information about Give Ozarks and the organizations that make this a great park so creating awareness was a big part of our day too,” said David Burton.

This year, 220 agencies participated in Give Ozarks and raised over $1.3 million.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

Arts and Cultural History Program Brings Tourism Leaders from Missouri to Springfield May 12 The “Economic Development Through Art and Cultural Heritage Tourism” training May 12 at the Springfield Botanical Center was a great success by any measure.

Nearly 40 attended with the majority being from here in the Ozarks representing communities and activities that help drive local tourism.

Leaders of the Missouri Arts Council, Missouri Humanities Council, and Missouri Tourism Board all attended along with leaders from the visitors bureaus for Joplin and Springfield.

Of those attending, 92% said they had learned information that would help them improve their current festival or event and 98% said they had learned something that would help them launch a new effort.

MU Extension is now working to get this training online so even more people can be reached. The result should be better and bigger festivals which mean more visitors spending dollars locally on gas, food, etc.

Sam Hamra and Wendy’s Restaurants provided the food which made this event affordable.

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COUNTY PROGRAM DIRECTOR REPORT

List of Remaining 2017 Projects and Programs

In late December of 2016, staff with Greene County Extension met to set goals for 2017 and to map out programs and events for the year. These are the projects agreed to at that goal setting event that are still pending.

JUNE  25th Anniversary of Xeriscape Gardens— June 2-3, — McGowan  Food Preservation Classes—in June at Metro Appliances, David Burton, and Lindsey Stevenson JULY  TOMATO FESTIVAL — Focused on growing, tasting and understanding different varieties with a farm tour. July 18, $15 per person.—Organized by Duitsman and Byers and McGowan and Burton  Ozark Empire Fair—promotion of AgVentures program, Deaver  4-H Dairy Cow Camp— July event in Springfield, SOLD OUT, Deaver  Turf Professionals Workshop—Led by Patrick Byers and Robert Bialek AUGUST/SEPTEMBER  TWILIGHT TOUR SERIES 3: Horticulture Tour at Millsap Farm on pizza night.

—Duitsman, McGowan, and Byers  Garlic Festival (September) — at the Botanical Center with Kelly McGowan, Patrick Byers, and others  Master Beekeeper class—David Burton SEPTEMBER  Commission Farm Tour—Annual event in partnership with other organizations.

Budget and plan and schedule in coordination with County Commission.  Salute to Century Farm (September) — afternoon educational session to help keep families on the farm with Jim Spencer Jr and an evening fundraiser and awards din-

 



ner — David Burton, council and staff Study Group 1: Aging Successfully — 10 -week program by Jeff Barber.

TWILIGHT TOUR SERIES 2: at new Moo Juice Dairy Farm with Jeff Barber and Regan Bleul—still pending Stay Strong/ Stay Healthy program kicks off at senior centers with Renettee Wardlow

OCTOBER  Beef production on small acreage workshop—McCorkill and Schnakenberg  Food Safety Class—Pat Byers, Pam Duitsman, Sarah Denkler, Shon Bishop, Robert Balek  4-H enrollment kickoff  Kickoff county Excel Leadership program if grant funding is approved NOVEMBER  Holiday food preservation event— Lindsey Stevenson  Annual fundraising campaign

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.

Find event photos, news and program announcements on the Greene County Extension Council Facebook page

facebook.com/GreeneCountyExtension facebook.com/MUExtension417

Sharing Via Twitter Follow us on Twitter at @MUExtension417 or #MUExtension417

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

Greene County “Reaching Out� Report

Last Updated May 26, 2017

Horticulture Educator and Master Gardeners

Springfield Community Garden Tour On Friday, May 19 MU Extension Horticulture Educator and coordinator of the Master Gardeners of Greene County Kelly McGowan, organized a Springfield Community Garden tour to showcase community gardens that are coordinated and ran by Master Gardeners of Greene County members. About 30 Master Gardeners attended the tour and enjoyed learning about the work being done.

site where we can teach folks how to produce food for sale or for personal use. Free workshops are hosted there regularly. Produce from this garden has a variety of outlets. It is often given to volunteers, donated to the community dinners held at The Fairbanks, or sold at the C-Street Market and to nearby restaurants. Kelly McGowan and Kelly McGowan Patrick Byers with Horticulture Educator MU Extension were mcgowank@missouri.edu partners on a grant project through NACD and the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District to provide educational programming at the Fairbanks.

BELOW: East Stanford Neighborhood Garden is located at Schweitzer United Methodist Church, 2747 E. Sunshine St. Springfield, MO 65804

ABOVE: Fairbanks Community Garden and Market Garden, 1126 N. Br oadway Ave. Springfield, MO 65802.

Established in fall of 2014 by Master Gardener member Ken Bass and others at the church.

Originally established to serve patrons of the food pantry at Schweitzer and supplement fresh produce for the pantry. The Garden has evolved over the 3 years of its existence. It serves both people from the Oak Grove

Springfield Community Gardens has over 20 gardens tucked into neighborhoods throughout the city with one of those being the SCG Market Garden. This garden began in 2014 as the plot-based Fairbanks Community Garden but due to the large area and limited help in maintaining the space, SCG developed a new plan in the summer of 2016. With support from the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and Master Gardener Alexa Poindexter, this garden has been reworked into the SCG Market Garden to model sustainable agriculture practices and to produce fresh, local food for Zone 1 residents. This garden acts as a training

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Horticulture Educator and Master Gardeners neighborhood and the Burmese refugee community in Springfield. Each member of the garden decides what food they will grow and they keep all they raise. The garden has grown from 30 raised beds to 100 today.

TOP RIGHT: Delaware Community Garden, 1523 E. Stanford Springfield. Besides providing fresh veggies to the neighborhood and various food distributions in Springfield, it is considered a healing garden for the neighbors in the Delaware area. The site of garden was the home of Craig Wood and also the horrible death of Hailey Owens. Donors bought and demolished the house and then donated the land to the Springfield Community gardens. Because of a personal connection, Master Gardener Jean Ackley took over the operation and has built not only a garden, but also a healing place for neighbors to walk and bring their children. Neighbors are invited to come and help and enjoy what is produced. Future plans include kid's projects and more pollinator plants for butterflies and bees.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Wesley United Methodist Church Community Garden, 922 W. Republic Rd. Springfield. Established in the fall of 2015 by Master Gardener member Carl Redmon and others at the church. The first growing season was 2016 with nearly 3,000 lbs of produce donated to local food pantries, and garden plot renters taking home another 1,400 lbs for their own use. The garden is part of Wesley UMC's Mission Outreach to our neighbors across the road. About half of our growers are from the Parkcrest subdivision, and several have administrative/ committee duties as well. The garden has 28 raised beds [10 of which are organic], a 42x30 in-ground donation bed, an 80 foot bramble patch, and an orchard with 19 fruit trees. drip irrigation has been installed throughout the garden and orchard. A 'kids’ corner' bed is being added this month for the Kids of Creation preschool at Wesley.

MU Extension has a guide sheet known as “MP906, Community Gardening Toolkit” available online that is designed to help groups or individuals establish community gardens.

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 boasts of over 275 members. For more information visit the chapter website at http://www.mggreene.org.

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Horticulture Specialist Community Contact:  Radio interview, KKOZ (5.9.17)  Telephone contacts – 21 for advisement  Email contacts – 24 contacts  Farm visits – 8 for consultation and advisement Programs Presented:  “Soil Health - Green Manures, Animal Manures, Compost and other Amendments", SCG NACD project, Springfield (5/6/17)  “Vegetable Grafting”, MSU guest lecture, Springfield (5.11.17) Coordinated:  High Tunnel Construction Workshop (with LU), Republic (5.8.17-5.9.17, 5.19.17)  Springfield Plateau Master Naturalists board meeting, Springfield (5.10.17)  SCG High Tunnel erection workshop, Springfield (5/12/17-5/13/17)  Springfield Plateau Master Naturalists chapter meeting, Springfield (5.15.17)  Horticulture soil test reports - recommenda-

tions and distribution for SW region – 54 reports during reporting period Participated in:  Ozarks Food Harvest powwow, Rogersville (4/27/17)  Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District board meeting, Springfield (5/9/17)

Patrick Byers

Horticulture byerspl@missouri.edu

Upcoming programming and events  Garlic research study activities  Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District board meeting, Springfield (6/12/17)  “Pruning Techniques”, Federated Garden Clubs Gardening Study Course IV, Springfield (6.12.17)

Construction progress at the Springfield Community Gardens high tunnel workshop, 5.12.17 To learn more about local commercial horticulture programs, contact Horticulture Development Specialist Patrick Byers at (417) 859-2044 or by email at byerspl@missouri.edu.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Nutrition and Food Policy Stock Healthy Shop Healthy is a communitybased MU Extension program that allows communities to improve access to healthy, affordable foods. Pam has been working with partners in Springfield, Forsyth, and Branson West this past year to implement this program to engage food retailers and community members, and address supply and demand at the same time. Partners include County Health Departments, Senior Centers, OACAC, Schools, and MU Extension FNEP. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is helping to fund these projects.

Pam is working with Grocers to increase the availability of fresh fruits and veggies. Each store was provided with a tiered fruit basket, and the fruit is free to kids while adults shop.

Cooking Matters in the Store is a program contracted through MU Extension, with provision of all materials and funding needed to conduct guided grocery store tours to help families buy healthy, affordable foods, save money and budget, and prepare tasty healthy recipes. Participants receive a

workbook, recipes, a reusable grocery bag, and a $10 grocery gift card challenge – they must purchase a healthy meal at the end of the class. Pam conducted four classes in May.

Pam Duitsman Feel Better Now Nutrition Specialist with Diabetes Pam duitsmanp@missouri.edu is currently teaching a series of Diabetes self-management classes every Monday morning at Mercy Smith-Glynn-Callaway in Springfield for those with Diabetes, and/or their caregivers. Participants learn how to manage symptoms of diabetes; communicate effectively with their health care team; plan menus; keep blood sugar in check; and get more out of life. The vast majority of participants report an improvement in their physical symptoms caused by their diabetes, and an improved ability to deal with problems caused by the condition. Partners include Mercy Health Systems and the SW Region Arthritis Center.

Voices for Food Project This project focuses on Food Insecurity, and working to develop and implement sustainable solutions to increase availability and access to healthy foods for communities. Pam is the Missouri coordinator for this federally funded six-state research project, drawing on the expertise of Cooperative Extension services. During May, communities focused on managing their mini-grant which they have received from the project. Several SW Missouri communities met to implement local Food System work; to conduct Community Food System Assessments; to support local Food Pantries, programs and community nutrition education classes; to implement community gardens; to support local Farmers Markets and budding food hubs; and to write grants.

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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Horticulture Specialist National Urban Extension Conference Pam attended the National Urban Extension Conference the week of May 7 to present research and also programs that have been offered in Greene County. Additionally, the conference provided professional development for working effectively in urban environments (such as the greater Springfield area). Pam is shown below with two of her presentations in the poster session.

Indirect Programming/Consultation: Pam has offered consultation to 33 individuals/farms/ businesses/ organizations in May. This month this included doing a presentation on the power of garlic for the Ozarks Herb Society. Pam also used media releases and social media to spread the word about the power of garlic this month.

Donating to Greene County Extension is as Easy As: 1. Donate online at extension.missouri.edu/greene by mail or in person.

2. Stay connected with

Greene County Extension on social media, by email and/ or in service as a volunteer.

3. Enjoy making a difference in the lives of 45,000 county residents annually.

Helping Greene County Extension Do More, Reach More, Be More!

University of Missouri Extension in Greene County

Located inside the Botanical Center at 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo. 65807 Tel: (417) 881-8909 | Email: greeneco@missouri.edu | Online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Nutrition and Food Policy Local Food, Farm to School Presentations, Projects and Education: Pam participated in three Food Policy Council meetings and subsequent work during this past month; presented three local Food presentations; participated in one Food Hub meeting and one Food System planning meeting.

In Springfield, Pam and other MU Extension staff are collaborating MU Extension with the Springfield Public Schools (SPS) Farm to School project to help provide continued sustainability for this growing endeavor.

The photo at right is the Springfield Farm to School Leadership team touring Sherwood Elementary Gardens, with the lead student who was in charge of planting.

Sherwood Garden Tour - Mrs. Howard and Dr. Hagerman’s 4th & 5th Grade Students: Callee Tompkins, Emma Frans, David Tanona, Maddie Hampton, Abby Winegard

Ozarks Food Harvest: Remaining photos are from our partnership with Ozark Food Harvest and their Full Circle Garden Project. Patrick Byers and Pam were there for a “thank you celebration” they held for partners. The MU/Humana sign is between the tunnels. And then there’s one of our amazing OFH partner, Christy Claybaker.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Family Nutrition Education Program Activities taking place in Zone 1 are in bold

Family Nutrition Education Program

2160 W. Chesterfield Blvd. Suite F200 Chesterfield Village, Springfield, Mo. Tel: 417-886-2059 * http://missourifamilies.org

Becky Roark

Nutrition Program Associate Finished classes at  Fremont Elementary: 131 1st and 2nd graders  Holland Elementary: 156 Pre-K—2nd graders  Tampa Head Start: 30 Pre-K students (Zone 1)

Fossett

Nevatt

Edmondson

Williams

Jordan Valley Health Center (Zone 1)—2 adults Well of Life Food Pantry—290 families Central Assembly Food Pantry—145 families I will be starting classes for Republic Summer School, 1st—4th grades, on May 30th

Roark

Hull

Wood

Sherri Hull

Nutrition Program Associate  Victory Mission Family Ministries – Discussion and Display about “Healthy Snacking” – 118 Families  Hovey House – Discussion using Eating From The Garden and various displays – 138 Adults  Jordan Valley Health Center – Eating Smart Being Active – 6 Adults  Northview Senior Center – Eating Smart Being Active – 2 Adults  Madison Towers (Springfield Housing Authority) – Eating Smart Being Active – 5 Adults  South Towers (Spfd Housing Authority) – Eating Smart Being Active – 5 Adults st  Horace Mann Elementary – K-1 grades – 142 Students rd  Robberson Elementary – K-3 grades – 148 Students Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

Marty Wood

Nutrition Program Associate   

    

Willard WIC, Healthy Change Workshops, 22 adults Willard Food Pantry, Display, 20 families Pregnancy Care Center, Eating Smart, Being Active, 37 adults People Helping People, Display, 26 adults Freemont Elementary Pre-K, “Grow It, Try It, Like It,” 20 youth Crosslines, Display, 1321 families Harter House-Strafford, Display, 63 adults Hand Extended Food Pantry, Healthy Change Workshops, 54 adults

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Family Nutrition Education Program Jennifer Nevatt

Family Nutrition Program Manager Southwest Region Each month the Southwest region of the University of Missouri Extension’s Family Nutrition Education Program (FNEP) organizes an in-service for the 20 Nutrition Program Associates (NPA), two administrative professionals, Program Manager, and Coordinator. During this time team members discuss the latest FNEP business, NPAs are given curriculum updates, are able to share ideas, and work on teambuilding.

During April’s in-service, the FNEP team was invited to attend the Ozarks Food Harvest’s Annual Conference. Program Manager, Jenni Nevatt, shared with Summer Food Service providers the programming opportunities that FNEP

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

could offer them. NPAs were present to network with area Summer Food Service providers as well as pantry directors and discuss specific program needs and options.

On May 8th, the FNEP team traveled to Maggie Mae’s in Miller where they conducted their meeting. After all business items were discussed and summer programming ideas shared the team ventured over to Brown’s Berry Farm where they learned the ins and outs of berry farming, picked strawberries, and enjoyed some fellowship.

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Human Development Specialist Classes in Republic, Rogersville and Strafford are funded by the Greene County Senior Tax Fund Board

Stay Strong Stay Healthy – Level II –

Republic Friendship Center

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy – Level I –

Rogersville Senior Center

The first and last class will begin at 1:30 p.m. and the remaining classes will begin at 2 p.m. Week 1 – Wednesday, June 7 (No Class ) & Friday, June 9; Week 2- Wednesday, June 14 and Friday, June 16; Week 3 - Wednesday, June 21 and Friday, June 23; Week 4 - Wednesday, June 28 and Friday, June 30; Week 5 - Wednesday, July 5 and Friday, July 7; Week 6 - Wednesday, July 12 and Friday, July 14; Week 7- Wednesday, July 19 and Friday, July 21; Week 8 – Wednesday July 26 and Friday, July 28; To make up for the June 7 class the group will meet on August 2

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy – Level 1 –

Strafford Senior Center

The first and last class will begin at 12 p.m. and the remaining classes will begin at 12:30 p.m. Week 1 – Monday, June 5 and Wednesday,

June 7; Week 2 – Monday, June 12 and Wednesday, June 14; Week 3 – Monday, June19 and Wednesday, June 21; Week 4 – Monday, June 26 and Wednesday, June 28; Week 5 – Monday, July 3 and Wednesday, July 5; Week 6 – Monday, July 10 and Wednesday, July 12; Week 7 – Monday, July 17 and Wednesday, July 20; Week 8 – Monday, July 24 (No Class), and Wednesday, July 26; To make up the July 24 class we will meet on July 31

The first and last class will begin at 12:30 p.m. and all remaining classes will run from 1:00 Renette Wardlow p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Human Development Week 1 – Tuesday, wardlowr@missouri.edu June 6 and Thursday, June 8; Week 2 -Tuesday, June 13 &Thursday, June 15; Week 3 -Monday, June 20 and Thursday, June 22 (NO CLASS, instructor unavailable); Week 4Tuesday, June 27 & Thursday, June 29 Week 5-Monday, July 4 (NO CLASS, HOLIDAY), and Thursday, July 6; Week 6Tuesday, July 11 and Thursday, July 13; Week 7Tuesday, July 18 & Thursday, July 20; Week 8 – Tuesday, July 25 & Thursday, July 27; The June 22 class will be made up on Aug. 1 and July 4 class will be made up on August 3.

To learn more about local programs impacting children and families, contact Human Development Specialist Renette Wardlow at (417) 881-8909 or by email at wardlowr@missouri.edu.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Office Management / Assorted Direct Phone Lines for Extension Staff Maggie Black, Office Manager - 874-2953 David Burton, Civic Communication/CPD - 874-2954 Jeff Barber, Housing & Environ. Design -- 874-2955 Dr. Pam Duitsman, Nutrition Specialist -- 874-2957 Kelly McGowan, Horticulture Educator -- 874-2965 Renette Wardlow, Human Development -- 874-2966 Master Gardeners Hotline -- 874-2963 Family Nutrition Education Program-417-886-2059

Extension Council Officers    

Joe Crim, chair Jason Whitesell, vice-chair Lisa Bakerink, treasurer Morgan Ash, secretary

Our Major Sponsors Greene County Commission 933 N. Robberson Ave., Springfield, MO http://www.greenecountymo.org/ Springfield-Greene County Park Board Ph 417-864-1049, www.parkboard.org Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District Ph.417-831-5246 http://swcd.mo.gov/greene/index.html Greene County Farm Bureau

Greene County Extension

Office located inside the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo. 65807 Tel: (417) 881-8909 greeneco@missouri.edu

Help Us Thank our Best Partners, Go to a Meeting County Commission Meetings: 1st Mondays of Maggie Black Office Manager month; blackmag@missouri.edu Commission Joined Spring 2015 building, Springfield, at 9:30 a.m. confirm agenda at http:// www.greenecountymo.org/commission.

Park Board Meetings: Second Fr iday of each month, 8:30 a.m. Call 8641049 to confirm.

4-H Leader’s Council Meetings: 3r d Thursday of the month (except July),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: Fir st 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.

Greene County Farm Bureau: Second Monday of the month at Farm Bureau 2530 S Campbell Ave, Springfield. Starts at 7:30 p.m.

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

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