May 2017

“Reaching Out Report” the Greene County Extension Newsletter

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

May 2017 *

Vol. 10, Issue 5

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  Local Programs 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 David Burton, civic communication specialist, at (417) 881-8909.

UM President Mun Choi Visits MU Resources and Partners on Springfield Visit —Pages 7-8

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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.

Kelly McGowan does a monthly educational program for hotline volunteers —Page 19

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

Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated April 21, 2017

Great Game of Business for Government/Non-Profits MARCH/APRIL INCOME

2017

2017

2017

YTD #s

Budget #

DIFF

Notes for the month

$9,352.64

$22,000.00

$12,647.36

County Appropriations

$44,000.00

$44,000.00

$0.00

Gifts/Grants/Contracts

$4,330.00

$16,000.00

$11,670.00

Resales/Fees/Soil Tests

$5,644.26

$11,000.00

$5,355.74

Student Fees

Program Support Fund

TOTAL INCOME EXPENSES

$0.00

$7,350.00

$7,350.00

$63,326.90

$100,350.00

$37,023.10

Budget #

YTD #s

DIFF

Personnel Wages/Benefits

$10,495.00

$42,000.00

$31,505.00

Travel for county programs

$1,661.07

$8,000.00

$6,338.93

Office operations

$1,509.63

$8,550.00

$4,742.37

Marketing & Printing

$3,131.00

$15,700.00

$12,569.00

Supplies/Services/Repairs

$3,977.00

$13,500.00

$9,523.00

$204.00

$600.00

$396.00

Endowment

$2,000.00

$0.00

Fee Generation to MU

$2,217.00

$12,000.00

$9,783.00

$25,194.70

$100,350.00

$75,155.30

Extension Council

TOTAL EXPENSES

NET INCOME

$

38,132.20

$

DRIVERS FOR 2017 Actual Soil tests 195 Total Paid Registrations 589 Total Donors 24

-

Goal 400 750 80

Greene County Extension received a clear audit report stating: “The audit was conducted and all records were found to be in compliance with established standards governing the finances and record keeping practices of county Extension Councils in Missouri.”

Report did recommend moving the Master Gardener program monies back to the extension office since they are kept in a volunteer managed checking account but under the council EIN.

-$38,132.20

Pert 49% 79% 30%

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

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Zone 1 Programs Impacts by MU Extension

Impacting Zone 1

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

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

have included Soil Health, Growing Vegetables for Home Gardeners and a high tunnel installation and workshop. More information on pages 17-18. 

MU Extension partnered with Springfield Public Schools (SPS) Farm to School project to provide a training for 40 Springfield teachers and a dozen or so community partners. The training was focused on providing skills to teach an MU Extension gardening curriculum in their classrooms. Nutrition education, Farm Field trips, sourcing food into schools, and other educational experiences are also taught. See more details on page 21-22.

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Regular nutrition programs for children and adults in Zone 1 ar e detailed in the nutrition report on page 23.

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

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

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4-H Youth

4-H'ers learn to be soil health super sleuths

Missouri 4-H members are digging deep into learning about healthy soils.

Missouri 4-H’ers are joining 4-H’ers across the nation in the 4-H Ag Innovators Experience, sponsored by the National 4-H Council and Monsanto. This year’s Ag Innovators Experience, called the Healthy Soils CSI (Carbon Soil Investigation) Challenge, helps 4-H’ers in third through eighth grade learn how modern agricultural practices can improve soil health, says University of Missouri Extension 4-H specialist Shane Potter.

The program also supports 4-H’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) efforts. The program teaches 4-H’ers the whys and hows of improving soil quality. They also learn to conduct a variety of soil tests.

Manjula Nathan, director of the MU Soil and Plant Testing Laboratory, says this new 4-H project will raise much-needed awareness of the importance of soil health. This will have long-term benefits whether these young people become involved in agriculture, owners of hobby vineyards or homeowners with lawns.

“These 4-H members will grow up as responsible stewards of the soil,” Nathan says.

“If they can understand the concepts learned in this project, they will practice them and remember them.”

4-H’ers learn through videos and hands-on activities. They learn to evaluate soil quality through visual inspections and physical and chemical tests. Nathan says soil health depends upon the soil’s chemical, physical and biological properties. Much attention goes to the 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

chemical properties of the soil and application of fertilizers and amendments, but the physical and biological properties are equally important to build sustainable soils, she says. Soil health looks into all three aspects of the soil to keep it heathy.

Missouri 4-H’s Ag Innovator Teen Teacher Team is available to provide training at special events. Team members include Lora Wright of Greene County and Mattie Cobban of Greene.

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

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

Last Updated April 21, 2017

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Greene County “Reaching Out� Report

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Agriculture

Segment on Storm Shelters Proves to be Popular

Bob Schultheis, MU Extension natural resource engineering specialist, was interviewed on a two-minute live segment on KOLR10 television on 3/20/17 on the topic of storm shelters and safe rooms. The interview resulted in over 20 calls for more information and advice on selecting and installing safe rooms.

It prompted KOLR10 to do a more indepth interview on 3/24/17, which aired several times during the week of March 27-31.

Additional resources can be found on the MU Extension website including: MU Guide EMW1025 Storm Shelters and Safe Rooms and a full page dedicated to disaster preparedness resources.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Civic Communication Specialist & County Program Director Great Game of Business/Non-Profits  

Updated scorecard can be found on the Greene County Extension Council Facebook page Programs with registrations result in a budget sheet of detailed accounting which is posted as part of our council agendas and on our website.

CPD Meetings and More     

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

Training in Quickbooks this month and making adjustments to our reporting process.

Production of weekly media releases, publications and coordinate programs.

Meeting of the council audit committee.

Attending Master Gardener board meetings.

Programming

Working to present these in Springfield:  Food Preservation classes in June  Master Beekeeping 2 and testing  Arts and Heritage Tourism Conference  Two other agriculture tours this summer  Alfalfa Tour April 25. 

Instructor for first Leadership Online for Today (online class) and now working to fill the summer class.

Media Reach These numbers apply to Southwest Region News Service for this month:  Traditional media views: 1.51 million  Facebook views I administer: 778,944  Wrote/edited 42 media releases and 14 newspaper and magazine columns.  Have increased followers of Greene County Extension on social media this month by 32.  Used a “boost” on four separate events this month: Mizzou giving, alfalfa tour, plant sale and arts and cultural heritage event.

Grants and Plans 

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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.

David Burton Working to promote Civic communication donations during the burtond@missouri.edu annual GiveOzarks campaign. Also working with park partners to do something special in the park that day.

Applications being received and planning is underway for our Century Farms program.

Visit of UM System President

Greene County MU Extension was proud to host University of Missouri System President Mun Choi and Vice President Steve Knorr for a tour of Springfield on Wednesday, April 19.

Jay Chism, regional director, and David Burton served as hosts. President Choi began the day having breakfast with MO 100 members, former curators and key alumni.

He toured the Springfield Clinical Campus and its medical partners, had lunch at the Springfield Chamber of Commerce with members of the Springfield Business Development Corporation and enjoyed a driving tour of IDEA Commons and Jordan Valley The visit then continued with a tour of SRC Electric and the Great Game of Business. Three MU Alumni lead this stop and talked about the impact of the Great Game of Business.

President Choi’s visit to Springfield wrapped up with a tour of the Botanical Center and a meeting with local extension and parks leaders.

Photos from the day are posted on the Greene County Extension Council Facebook page.

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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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 possible programs and events for the year. These are the projects agreed to at that goal setting event that are still pending with notes of explanation.

MAY  Seeds of Prosperity (Scaling up Session) with Pam Duitsman — POSTPONED  Master Beekeeper Level 1 and Level 2 — David Burton is working to schedule classes for the summer  Study Group 1: Aging Successfully — 10 -week program by Jeff Barber.  TWILIGHT TOUR SERIES 1: Spring Crop Tour: April 25 near Ash Grove  Arts and Cultural Heritage as Tourism Workshop —May 12, David Burton JUNE  TWILIGHT TOUR SERIES 2: at new Moo Juice Dairy Farm with Jeff Barber and Regan Bleul—still pending  25th Anniversary of Xeriscape Gardens— June 2-3, — McGowan  Food Preservation Classes—in June at Metro Appliances, David Burton, and Lindsey Stevenson  4-H/Extension Night at Springfield Cardinals – Deaver, Burton, and Black 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  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  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 dinner — David Burton, council and staff  Garlic Festival (September) — at the Botanical Center with Kelly McGowan, Patrick Byers, and others SEPTEMBER  Commission Farm Tour—Annual event in partnership with other organizations.

Budget and plan and schedule in coordination with County Commission.—David Burton, Kelly McGowan, Tim Schnakenberg and others 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 NOVEMBER  Holiday food preservation event— Lindsey Stevenson

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 April 21, 2017

Civic Communication Specialist & County Program Director University of Missouri System President Visits Springfield April 19

President Choi made his first outreach visit to Springfield to meet with various stakeholder groups to discuss collaboration and partnership opportunities and share his broad vision for research, education and infrastructure for the University. Thank you to MU School of Medicine partners, Mercy Hospital Springfield and CoxHealth for the tours of the centers affiliated with the Springfield Clinical Campus; the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce for holding an investors lunch with the Springfield Business Development Corporation; Missouri State University for the tour of IDEA Commons; SRC Electrical for teaching The Great Game of Business and showing how it is in play at your plant; and to the Greene County MU Extension Council for a tour of Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park and for hosting an informative, engaging day in southwest Missouri.

President Choi meeting Master Gardener volunteers in the hotline room and workroom as well as Kelly McGowan.

Below, meeting with former curators and key alumni and touring SRC to learn about the Great Game of Business.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

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County Program Director Register Now!

and various community coalitions.

Workshop in Springfield May 12 Focuses on Using “Arts and Cultural Heritage Tourism” for Economic Development SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Studies show that heritage travelers stay longer at their destination, spend more money and tend to put money back in the communities they visit according to Dr. Lee Ann Woolery, community arts specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

“Cultural Heritage Tourism encompasses elements of living culture, history, and natural history of place that communities value and steward for the future. These elements are specific to a community and can contribute to pride, stability, growth, and economic development,” said Woolery.

MU Extension’s “Arts and Cultural Heritage Tourism” workshop is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, May 12 at the Springfield Botanical Center, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo.

“Over the years, travelers have outgrown homogenized places and are looking for authentic experiences like those that include the arts, culture, and history of a region,” said Woolery. “This is especially the case in rural areas, and we want to help communities in Missouri to an even better job with arts and cultural heritage tourism.”

This workshop is a hands-on training to pilot arts and cultural heritage tourism curriculum to be released by the University of Missouri in the fall of 2017.

“The workshop and curriculum focus on assessing, developing, designing, implementing, managing and evaluating arts and cultural heritage tourism attractions, events or initiatives from a community standpoint,” said Woolery.

Presenters include Dr. Lee Ann Woolery from the University of Missouri Extension Community Arts Program; Renée Reed Miller, an assistant at MU Extension ExCEED and MU Extension Community Arts Program; and David Burton, civic communication specialist with MU Extension.

Program sponsors include University of Missouri Extension, Greene County MU Extension, Springfield-Greene County Park Board and Hamra Enterprises and Wendy’s Restaurants.

The cost of the program is $20 per person and includes lunch and materials.

Registration should be completed online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene but can also be done by mailing or delivering a check to the Greene County MU Extension office.

This workshop is geared toward leaders in community arts organizations, art studios, and galleries, heritage festivals, lodging businesses, chambers of commerce, visitor or tourism bureaus, historic preservation, museums, visitor bureaus, main street projects, community betterment and heritage areas.

Participants can also include entrepreneurs, small business owners, non-profit organizations, government departments, federal agencies

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

Last Updated April 21, 2017

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Housing and Urban Development Specialist Visioning Presentations for Planned Mt. Vernon and Hazelwood Cemetery in May

Hazelwood Cemetery on west Seminole in Springfield is nearly a century and a half old. The largest municipal cemetery in the state, it encompasses more than 60 acres and has more than 44,000 grave spaces, which are still being sold.

Drury University’s Hammons School of Architecture is working with University of Missouri Extension and the City of Springfield Public Works, which maintains the cemetery, to develop a vision for its future.

The next planned visioning meeting at the Schweitzer-Brentwood Branch Library Com-

munity Room (2214 S. Brentwood Blvd.) takes place 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 9. Students will provide a Final Presentation of Recommendations then.

Jeff is also working with a group working in Mt. Jeff Barber Vernon on a visionHousing and design ing project for that barberj@missouri.edu city and Drury students will give a final presentation there in May too.

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 at (417) 881-8909 or barberj@missouri.edu.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Housing and Urban Development Specialist

Stepping Up PACE Efforts Begin to Count Through a cooperative effort with the Missouri Clean Energy District and their partner, the HERO Program, homeowners in Greene County are beginning to take advantage of a new opportunity to use PACE funding for home energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements. PACE stands for Property Assessed Clean Energy and is a program that provides funds from municipal bonds to private property owners.

Unlike conventional bank lending or credit cards, the HERO Program can provide 100% funding for home improvements, which is recovered through an assessment on the real property. The advantage to the property owner is longer ‘payback’ terms and the binding of the debt to the real property rather than taking on personal debt. This allows the assessment to transfer to new, eligible buyers if the property sells.

Common barriers to energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements by homeowners and businesses are financing the higher initial costs and reluctance to choose longer payback measures like insulation, windows, HVAC equipment or solar panels.

To find out more, homeowners, businesses and contractors are encouraged to contact Jeff Barber to see if PACE funding or the HERO Program can work for them.

One this page are ‘dashboard snapshots’ of the early use of the HERO Program in Greene County and for the entire state of Missouri.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Human Development Specialist

Renette Wardlow Human Development wardlowr@missouri.edu

The staff of Foster Adopt Connect (above) learn to better communicate with one another. The eleven member staff completed a personality profile activity and we discussed why people with various personality types vary on the ways that they communicate with others.

Conducting Quality Assessments for Afterschool Programs Renette Wardlow does a variety of programing and has also received a grant to continue Stay Strong Stay Healthy programs at Greene County Senior Centers. But an important and time-consuming service she also provides through MU Extension is the state required program quality assessments of after school programs. She has completed the following assessments recently: Sequitoa Elementary School – Springfield March 21, 2017 - 3-6 p.m.

Summit Intermediate School – Nixa March 22, 2017 – 3-6 p.m.

Hollister High School – Hollister April 5, 2017 – 3-6 p.m.

Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks, Lake Taney Como – Forsyth April 11, 2017 – 3-6 p.m.

Hollister Middle School – Hollister April 12, 2017 - 3-6 p.m.

Central Park Elementary – Monett April 19, 2017 – 3-6 p.m.

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

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.

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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Horticulture Specialist Community Contact:  Contributed to several articles and interviews.  Telephone contacts – 33 for advisement  Email contacts – 21 contacts  Office visits, professional contacts – 2 for consultation and advisement  Farm site visits – 14 for advisement Programs Presented:  “Getting Started with Produce Farming,” Direct Marketing workshop series, MSU Mountain Grove (3.25.17)  “Growing Gourmet Garlic,” Potting Shed University, Springfield (3.27.17)  “Home Landscaping” (3.28.17) and “Home Fruit Production” (4.11.17) as part of Master Gardeners of Greene County core training.  Growing Vegetables and Berries,” Home gardening workshop, Gainesville (3.30.17)  “Fruit Production,” Padgett Spring Gardening Festival, Walnut Shade (4.14.17)

Upcoming programming in Greene County  Ozarks Food Harvest powwow, Rogersville (4/27/17)  SCG High Tunnel erection workshop, Springfield (5/12/175/13/17) Photos below from MU Extension Display and tour, CU Yardwaste Recycling Center Dedication, 4/21/17

Patrick Byers

Horticulture byerspl@missouri.edu

Coordinated:  Springfield Plateau Master Naturalists board meeting, Springfield (4.12.17)  Farmers Market Workshop and Braker Farm Tour (Garlic Field Day), Webb City (4.15.17)  Springfield Plateau Master Naturalists chapter meeting, Springfield (4.17.17)  Garlic Project Field Day, MSU Darr Ag Center, Springfield (4.21.17)  Matthew McIntyre job shadow (4/21/17)  Hops research study activities – trellis construction and rhizome planting  Horticulture soil test reports - recommendations and distribution for SW region – 81 reports during reporting period Participated in:  PILD conference, Washington DC (4.1 -4.5.17)  Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District board meeting, Springfield (4/11/17)  MU Southwest Research Center Advisory Board Meeting, Mount Vernon (4.12.17)  Great Plains Growers Conference planning committee meeting, St Joseph (4.19.17) To learn more about local commercial horticulture programs, contact Horticulture Development Specialist Patrick Byers at (417) 881-8909 or by email at byerspl@missouri.edu.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Horticulture Specialist Local Master Naturalist Hosts Very Large Archery Event Congratulations to Missouri Master Naturalist, Springfield Plateau Chapter member David Reynolds for all the work and enthusiasm he dedicated to this year's Missouri National Archery in the School's Program (MoNASP) State Tournament in Branson! The tournament was the largest event ever held at the Branson Convention Center!

The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is open for students in 4th - 12th grades. NASP "builds confident, strong, and accomplished kids." (MDC - https:// nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/teaching/ monasp/about-monasp) Missouri Department of Conservation and the Conservation Federation of Missouri are supporters of the MoNASP program.

Many thanks to the members of the Spring-

field Plateau Chapter Master Naturalists who volunteered over the two days of the tournament.

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/

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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Horticulture Educator and Master Gardeners Bold items are conducted in Zone 1 Media  3/22/17-KSPR interview on ‘Native Plants for Pollinators’  3/23/17-KY3 ‘Ask an Expert Segment’  3/23/17-KOLR 10 live interview‘Growing Potatoes’  3/23/17-KOLR 10 taped segments on site in Botanical Gardens – ‘Early Spring Blooms’ and ‘Cool Season Veggies’  3/30/17-KOLR 10 live interview – ‘Controlling Moles in Lawns’  4/6/17-KOLR 10 live interview – ‘Herbs’  4/7/17-KY3 interview – ‘What you should be planting in your garden now’  4/13/17-KOLR 10- taped segments on site in Botanical Gardens – ‘Planting Annual Flowers in Patio Containers’ and ‘How to Mulch a Tree’  4/13/17- KOLR 10 live interview – ‘Morel Mushrooms’  4/20/17-KOLR 10 live interview – ‘Dogwoods’

Individual Consultations  Phone Calls, office visits, farm/site visits, emails-25  KY3 Phone Bank ‘Ask an Expert Segment’; Kelly McGowan and 4 Master Gardeners staffed the phone bank to answer garden related questions; responded to 124 calls and 13 emails Programs, Meetings, Activities and Professional Development  3/28/17-Master Gardener Core Training ‘Landscape Design’  3/30/17-Master Gardener Core Training ‘Turf’  4/1/17-Master Gardener booth at MDC Native Plant Sale at Springfield Conservation Nature Center  4/3/17-Master Gardeners of Greene County April board meeting  4/5/17-Master Gardeners of Greene County Advanced Training Rock Wall workshop  4/11/17-Master Gardener Core Training ‘Home Fruit Production’

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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4/11/17-MSU High Tunnel and Greenhouse Planning Meeting Teleconference 4/12/17-Statewide MU Extension Horticulture Teleconference 4/18/19-Butterfly Festival Planning Meeting Spring Semester Coursework at MU for Graduate Degree in Natural Resources/Agroforestry.

Kelly McGowan Horticulture Educator

Presentations Made mcgowank@missouri.edu  4/4/17-Farm to School Teaching Training at the Fairbanks ‘Season Extension’ station  4/4/17-Master Gardener core training ‘Soil health’  4/5/17-Springfield Botanical Gardens guided tour to Kansas Master Gardener group  4/6/17-‘Insect Pest Control for Community Gardens’ Wesley United Methodist Church community garden  4/13/17-‘Growing Vegetables for the Home Gardener’ presentation at the Fairbanks; part of the ‘Urban Sustainability Class Series’  4/17/17-Master Gardeners of Greene County April Hotline Training

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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Last Updated April 21, 2017

Horticulture Educator and Master Gardeners Urban Sustainability Class Series at the Fairbanks Due to grant funding by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the Greene County Soil and Water Conservation District, MU Extension specialists Patrick Byers and Kelly McGowan have helped to deliver gardening related classes to Zone 1 residents at the Fairbanks, a community center project dedicated to lifting people out of poverty. Classes have included Soil Health, Growing Vegetables for Home Gardeners and a high tunnel installation and workshop.

The Master Gardener Core Training Class of 2017 concluded on 4/11/17 with 47 participants completing the class. Congratulations to the new class and welcome to the chapter!

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Horticulture Educator and Master Gardeners

Hotline and Advanced Training Our Master Gardener Hotline answers over 2000 home garden questions a year and is staffed by volunteer members of our Master Gardener organization.

To stay current on relevant issues, MU Extension specialists and others offer Master Gardeners advanced training on topics like building rock retaining walls.

Kelly McGowan also provides monthly training for the hotline volunteers to share current research and local horticulture issues. One of the topics this month was tent caterpillars, shown below.

Advanced Training Rock Retaining Wall Workshop hosted

by Master Gardeners of Greene County on 4/5/17

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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http://giveozarks.org/2017/greenecoext

Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated April 21, 2017

Nutrition and Food Policy

Stock Healthy Shop Healthy

Partnerships with grocers is allowing this MU Extension program to improve community access to healthy affordable foods. Pam is working with partners to implement this program, which include County Health Departments and MU Extension FNEP. Interventions are taking place to increase supply and demand of healthy food, and provide nutrition and health education to county residents.

Pam and a community partner were copresenters on a distance-learning presentation to the University of Nebraska’s healthy retail program Choose Healthy Here, reaching all of their county departments of health and their University Extension staff. Topics included: Working together as partners; developing action plans; process; activities; experiences; examples.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is funding county health departments to collaborate with MU Extension on this project.

Voices for Food Project

Voice for Food is a federally funded six-state research project, drawing on the expertise of Cooperative Extension services. Pam is the Pam Duitsman state coordinator of Nutrition Specialist the project. During duitsmanp@missouri.edu April, SW Missouri communities met to implement local Food System work and supportive programs, and offer community nutrition education classes. Work toward Community Food System Assessments, implementation of community gardens, needs assessment and planning in local food pantries, and other issues took place. This project focuses on Food Insecurity, and working to develop and implement sustainable solutions to increase availability and access to healthy foods for communities.

Ozark Regional Food Policy Council

Cooking Matters in the Store

Cooking Matters is a program funded through Operation Food Search. They have contracted with MU Extension, and provide all materials and funding needed to conduct guided grocery store tours to help families buy healthy, affordable foods, save money and budget, and prepare healthy recipes.

Participants receive a workbook, recipes, a reusable grocery bag, and a $10 grocery gift card challenge if they must purchase a healthy meal at the end of the class. Pam conducted two classes in April.

This council serves as a forum for community conversation around food system issues. The council is undergoing a reformation of sorts, and has begun tentatively meeting under CPO, identified as the Food Collaborative. In the meantime, many community food-system projects are underway and many are in the pipeline needing the attention of this council.

Indirect Programming/ Consultation

Pam has offered consultation to 22 Greene County individuals/farms/businesses/ organizations in April.

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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Nutrition and Food Policy Feel Better Now with Diabetes – A Self-Management Program:

This is a six-week series of classes entitled will be offered at Mercy Smith-Glynn-Callaway in Springfield beginning May 1st and will run through June 12, skipping one week due to Memorial Day. Class time is 10-12 noon.

University of Missouri Extension, Regional Arthritis Center and Mercy Health Systems are collaborating to offer this effective self-management education program for people with diabetes. Participants learn ways to self-manage diabetes and take back control over their health while meeting in a safe social environment where they can connect with others going through similar life situations.

Participants learn how to: manage symptoms of diabetes; communicate effectively with your health care team; plan menus; keep your blood sugar in check; and get more out of life. To register, call 417-888-6787.

Farm to School, Local Food Presentations and Education Pam participated in two Food Policy Council meetings during this past month; presented four local food presentations; participated in one Food Hub meeting.

MU Extension partnered with Springfield Public Schools (SPS) Farm to School project to provide a training for approximately 40 SPS teachers and a dozen or so community partners. The training was focused on providing skills and confidence to SPS teachers who will be teaching Gardening Curriculum in their classrooms, and also using outdoor garden classrooms at their schools. The MU Extension Curriculum Eating from the Garden is being used as a resource for teachers.

Comments from participants were positive, and based on quantitative evaluation results of shortterm learning:  100% of participants responded that the Quality of Content (relevancy, clarity) was Excellent.  100% of participants responded that their ability to apply what they learned at the training was excellent.  100% of participants responded that the overall Quality of Training Session was excellent.

Photos from this event are shown at right.

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

Becky Roark

Nutrition Program Associate         

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

Finished classes at Willard North (K—4th grades)—296 students Started a new session at Holland Elementary (Pre-K—2nd) —156 students Fremont Elementary (1st and 2nd grades)—131 students Fossett Tampa Head Start—30 students Adult classes at Jordan Valley—2 adults and at Madison and South Towers—14 adults Central Assembly of God Food Pantry— 116 families Well of Life Food Pantry—280 families Robberson Health Fair—78 families Attended part of Ozarks Food Harvest Annual Conference

Nevatt

Roark

Sherri Hull







Nutrition Program Associate

  

    

Victory Mission Family Ministries – Discussion and Display about “Eating on a Budget” – 107 Families Hovey House – Discussion using Eating From The Garden and various displays – 85 Adults Jordan Valley Health Center – Eating Smart Being Active – 2 Adults Northview Senior Center – Eating Smart Being Active – 2 Adults Madison Towers (Spfd Housing Authority) – Eating Smart Being Active – 4 Adults South Towers (Spfd Housing Authority) – Eating Smart Being Active – 10 Adults Horace Mann Elementary – K-1st grades – 141 Students Robberson Elementary – K-3rd grades – 165 Students Robberson Elementary Health Fair – Display - 78 Families

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

Edmondson

Hull

Williams

Wood

Habitat for Humanity – Discussion about “Eating on a Budget” – 8 Adults Mercy Hospital Employee Earth Day Fair – Display & Discussion

Marty Wood

Nutrition Program Associate  

  

Willard WIC, “Eating Smart, Being Active” -- 19 adults Willard Food Pantry, display -- 18 families Pregnancy Care Center, “Eating Smart, Being Active” -- 46 adults People Helping People, display -- 19 adults Fremont Elementary Pre-K, “Grow It, Try It, Like It” -- 20 adults

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

Soil Test Time It’s never too late to do a soil test. The first step to a beautiful garden and lawn is to do a Maggie Black soil analysis.

Office Manager This will tell you blackmag@missouri.edu Joined Spring 2015 the nutrients in your soil. This ultimately will save you money by eliminating the guess work when buying, or not buying, additives for your soil. It also protects the environment from unnecessary fertilizer and chemicals. You will only be applying what is truly necessary for your lawn or garden needs.

The instructions for taking an accurate soil sample are on our website http:// extension.missouri.edu/greene and below.

You may pay in advance by credit card using our webpage or you may pay by cash or check when the sample is brought in.

Samples may be brought to our office at 2400 S. Scenic Ave, Springfield MO between 830am-4pm Monday through Friday. If you should come after hours or on the weekend, you may leave your sample, check for $29.50 along with your contact information at the Botanical Center reception desk.

Please bring only two cups of dry soil per test. We would be happy to answer any questions about soil testing you may have, so don’t hesitate to call.

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