1. business and industrial
2. agriculture and forestry
3. horticulture

“Reaching Out Report”
the Greene County Extension Newsletter
2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo. 65807
Email: greeneco@missouri.edu * Tel: (417) 881-8909
December 2014 * Vol. 7, Issue 12
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
“On the Cover” story …
page 2-3
Upcoming events …
page 4
Kelly McGowan…
page 5
Master Gardeners …
page 6
Pam Duitsman…
page 7
4-H Report …
page 8
Nutrition program…
page 9
David Burton …
page 10-11
Budget request …
pages 12
Patrick Byers …
pages 13
Master Naturalists …
page 14
Friends & Sponsors…
page 15-16
Subscribe Now!
Become a subscriber and
receive a monthly email
with the direct link for
reading the “Reaching Out
Report” online. Send your
request by email to
greeneco@missouri.edu.
Students Help in Springfield as Part of
Mizzou Alternative Break
Greene County Extension specialists helped connect University
of Missouri students with a charity in Springfield needing help
on Nov. 14-15 as part of the Mizzou Alternative Break program.
See pages 2-3 for photos and written details.
University of Missouri Extension provides equal opportunity to all participants in extension programs and activities, and for all
employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on
the basis of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or status as a protected veteran.
Greene County “Reaching Out” Report
Last Updated December 19, 2014
On the Cover: Missouri Alternative Break
on an Alternative Break trip and we’re proud
of that.”
For one weekend in November, seven students came to Springfield to help at Ronald
McDonald House in Springfield.
Staci Holland, House Program Director at
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the
Ozarks, Inc. in Springfield, said future clients
will benefit from the two days of labor the MU
The stereotype of college students using
Students provided.
their free time for drinking and getting into
“The students were absolutely amazing
mischief may soon be shattered. It appears
and such a pleasure to have at the two Ronald
that today’s college students, the millennials,
McDonald houses in Springfield. Thank you
value service more than a weekend party.
for helping them make arrangements for their
A 2010 Pew Research Center study
trip to Springfield,” said Holland.
asked millennials about their priorities: being
The students helped get the Ronald
a good parent, having a good marriage and
McDonald House near Mercy Hospital ready
helping others in need made the top of their
for Cup O'Cheer Homes Tour, which is the
list.
largest annual fundraiser for Ronald McDon“These students want to give, they want
ald House Charities of the Ozarks.
to help out, they want to be part of the com“They were such a huge help working to
munity,” said Joy Millard, interim assistant
finish our landscaping. They also helped detail
vice provost for University of Missouri Exour first-floor rooms and get the common aretension.
as ready to be decorated,” said Holland.
As part of its centennial, University of
The Ronald McDonald House at Mercy is
Missouri Extension has partnered with Mizcelebrating its two-year anniversary. Accordzou Alternative
ing to Holland, 892
Breaks, a group of
families have been
“The students were absolutely
students who donate
served since opening,
amazing and such a pleasure to
weekends, holidays
and they are expecting
have at the two Ronald McDonald
and spring break to
to serve more than 500
go into a community
houses in Springfield. They were
families this year.
to serve a need. MAB such a huge help working to finish
While in Springhas no shortage of
field, the students
our landscaping. They also helped
student volunteers.
detail our first-floor rooms and get stayed at National Ave“We had more
the common areas ready to be dec- nue Christian Church
than enough students
in a space that Jeff Barto fill all the trips. We orated. Thank you for helping them ber, house and urban
had to turn people
make arrangements for their trip
development specialist
away,” said Marissa
to Springfield.”
with MU Extension,
Steele, a senior at MU
Staci Holland helped to arrange.
and a weekend site
House Program Director
“We enjoyed being
leader with MAB.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of in Springfield. We
“It’s an honor to go
the Ozarks, Inc. in Springfield worked hard, we had a
MU Students Take
“Alternative Break” to
Assist a Charity in
Springfield with Help from
Greene County Extension
Online at http://extension.missouri.edu
Page 2
Greene County “Reaching Out” Report
Last Updated December 19, 2014
On the Cover: Missouri Alternative Break
Students
from Mizzou
Alternative
Breaks (shown
above working
at Springfield
locations)
helped us get
ready for Cup
O'Cheer
Homes Tour
last week. They
were such a
HUGE help
working to finish our landscaping! They
also helped us
detail our first
floor rooms and
get the common
areas ready to
be decorated. Staci Holland,
Ronald
McDonald
Charities of the
Ozarks.
good time and we were able to help a great
organization,” said Steele. “Thanks to Greene
County Extension for working on the local
details.”
The partnership between MAB and MU
Extension benefits both organizations.
“What I love about this is that it’s bringing
students into communities, and the communities also give back to the students. It’s this
wonderful circle of life,” said Millard. “It’s
what we were created for, making people better, helping them out and making lives better.”
MAB makes use of MU Extension’s community connections to find the greatest need
in Missouri counties. “MU Extension is our
Online at http://extension.missouri.edu
eyes and ears in the community,” Steele said.
“Before the partnership, site leaders had to
call random organizations to try to find projects.”
MAB’s goal is to do a project in every
Missouri county over the next five years.
“Here are students who say they want to
come help. In a time of limited resources,
this is an amazing gift,” Millard said.
Learn more about Mizzou Alternative
Breaks at http://breaks.missouri.edu.
Page 3
Greene County “Reaching Out” Report
Last Updated December 19, 2014
Selected Upcoming Extension Events in Greene County
Potting Shed University 2015
Lawn and Garden Show 2015
Potting Shed University begins Monday, Feb,
9, 2015, and will last 12 weeks. This series is
presented by the Master Gardeners of Greene
County and features 12 diverse garden topics
for attendees to hone their skills and become a
better gardener.
The Lawn & Garden Show at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds will be held Feb. 27, Feb. 28
and March 1. This show offers a series of
seminars hosted and taught by Master Gardeners of Greene County. These classes are
free to the public with their admission ticket.
Daytime classes are held Friday, Saturday
and Sunday on a wide range of topics, like:
Integrated Pest Management, Container Gardening, Raised Bed Gardening, Plant Selection, Soil Amendment and more. The Lawn &
Garden Show continues to be a valuable tool
for Master Gardeners to promote public
awareness of the University of Missouri Extension as a source of unbiased, research
based gardening information. Come by the
Master Gardener's booth and enter to win a
free prize. For more information on speakers
go to our website: www.mggreene.org.


Feb. 9– Winter Seed Sowing by Missy Sanford
Feb. 16– Hay Bale Gardening by Mark
Bernskoetter
 Feb. 23– Worm Composting by Kelly
McGowan
 March 2– Perennials by Gail Wright
 March 9– Introduction to Home Winemaking
by Patrick Byers
 March 16– All About Tomatoes by Kelly
McGowan
 March 23– Companion Planting by Mark
Bernskoetter
 March 30– Introduction to Herbs, Barb Emge
 April 6– Planting a Water Garden by Pat Ware
 April 13– Attracting Butterflies to your Garden by Linda Bower
 April 20– Container Gardens, Dellene Nelson
 April 27– Vertical Gardens, Rebecca Nichols
No pre-registration necessary; all classes are $5,
pay at the door and will be held in the Workshop Studio at the Botanical Center. For more
information visit mggreene.org
Master Gardener Plant Sale
Saturday April 25, 2015, will be the 18th annual Master Gardeners of Greene County plant
sale. It starts at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 11:30
a.m. or when everything is sold. Cash or check
only. The sale will be held at Springfield Botanical Garden Center, 2400 S. Scenic in
Springfield. Master Gardeners will be on site
to answer questions. Visit www.mggreene.org
for more information.
Give Ozarks Campaign May 5
The first “Give Ozarks” one-day online fundraising event will be held May 5, 2015, and
the Greene County Extension Council is taking part. Donors will be able to contribute
online the day of the event (or by mail the
week before) as part of this one-day “online
telethon.” Greene County Extension has set a
goal to raise $5,000 for its new Endowment.
Business Development Classes
Regular business classes are held at the Small
Business Development and Technology Center, 405 North Jefferson Ave., Springfield.
Assorted dates and topics. Register by calling
417-836-5685 or check online
www.ws.missouristate.edu/sbdc.
Program Calendar Online
The most up-to-date list of reported upcoming MU Extension programs in Greene County
is available online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene
Calendar visible on right side of page.
Greene County “Reaching Out” Report
Last Updated December 19, 2014
Master Gardeners of Greene County
Member Spotlight:
Mike Sidebottom
When did you
join Master Gardeners? I joined
the Master Gardeners in spring of
2012 because I
wanted to learn
more aspects of
gardening and to
meet others with
the same interests
as myself.
What kind of gardening background do you
have? Vegetable gardening was something I
learned from an early age as my family grew most
of what we ate. I really did not expand into decorative plants until after joining Master Gardeners.
What is your favorite thing about Master Gardeners of Greene County?
My favorite things about Master Gardeners are
the members and the wonderful information and
encouragement they give without realizing it.
What is one of your favorite growing tips that
you would like to share?
The best growing tip for plants I know of is to be
sure they have everything they need in moderation. It is also not a bad tip for growing children.
What are a couple of your favorite plants?
My favorite plants are always the ones I have just
discovered. Of course that depends on how well
they do in my garden.
Online at http://extension.missouri.edu
Upcoming
Events
January 5: MG board
meeting
January 13: MG
Monthly Chapter Meeting 6-8 pm at Botanical
Center
Kelly McGowan
January 28 and 29:
Horticulture Educator
University of Missouri
2015 Master Gardener
Extension
Orientation 6-8 pm at
mcgowank@missouri.edu
Botanical Center
2015 Core Training for
Master Gardeners of Greene County
Do you or someone you know interested in becoming a Master Gardener in 2015? If so, please
note that classes will begin Feb. 17 and continue
through April 3 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Botanical
Center. Sign up for an orientation session or more
information, call 417-881-8909 or email Kelly
McGowan at mcgowank@missouri.edu
The Master Gardener Program is a popular and
successful statewide volunteer community-service
organization administered through University of
Missouri Extension. The organization’s goal is to
train gardeners who are willing to share their
knowledge with others. Master Gardeners become
volunteers of University of Missouri Extension and
donate hours for community educational projects in
horticulture. Volunteer activities include working
with non-profit organizations, maintaining community gardens, conducting workshops, participating
in a Master Gardener speakers’ bureau and staffing
the Master Gardener “Hotline.” The Master Gardeners of Greene County can boast of over 300
members. For more information visit the chapters
website at http://www.mggreene.org.
Page 5
Greene County “Reaching Out” Report
Last Updated December 19, 2014
Master Gardeners of Greene County
Master Gardener Training
Begins Feb. 17 in Greene
County; Sign-Up now for
Orientation in January
Opportunities to gain and share horticultural
knowledge are available through University of
Missouri Extension’s Master Gardener program
in Greene County.
Individuals interested in becoming a Master
Gardener in Greene County must attend one of
MU Extension’s mandatory orientation sessions.
The 2015 sessions are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on
Wednesday, Jan. 28 or Thursday, Jan. 29 in the
large meeting room at the Springfield-Greene
County Botanical Center located at 2400 S. Scenic Springfield.
“Attendance of an orientation session is a mandatory first step of 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 Kelly McGowan, horticulture educator with University of Missouri Extension.
The Master Gardener class sessions will be held
Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1 p.m. to
4 p.m., starting Feb. 17 and running through April
2. Most of the classes will be held at the Botanical
Center, 2400 South Scenic, Springfield with three
being held at the Library Station on N. Kansas
Expressway, Springfield.
A total of 12 three-hour sessions taught by
trained professionals will cover horticulture principles and practices. Ornamentals, turf, vegetables, fruit crops and landscape design are some of
the subjects covered through this course.
Master Gardeners assist in horticulture education in the community. Thirty volunteer hours
from participants are required the first year after
training. Following that, 20 volunteer service
hours are required each year to remain an active
Master Gardener.
Enrollment for the class is limited and there is a
fee of $150 (or $255 for a couple) to cover the
costs of the program and materials.
Online at http://extension.missouri.edu
2015 Master Gardeners of
Greene County Officers and
Board Members
The 2015 officers were elected at the December board meeting. Returning for another term as
president will be Missy Sanford. Mike Sidebottom
will be the new vice-president, Dellene Nelson
will be returning as Treasurer, and Gail Wright
will be returning as secretary.
Two new board members were elected for
2015: Patty Garrett and Margo Shull. They will
join returning board members Kay Johnson and
Bob Childress.
A special thank you to George Deatz and Nancy Chambers whose terms have expired.
Serving as a board member and officer for a
group as large as the Master Gardeners of Greene
County is a job that requires many hours behind
the scenes making sure everything runs smoothly
and that the chapter remains healthy for years to
come. We are very grateful to have such a great
leadership team and wish them the best in 2015!
Private Pesticide Applicator
Training March 6
A private pesticide applicator training session
will be offered from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday,
March 6, at the Greene County Extension office
located inside the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center at 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield.
Under Missouri law, this training provides
certification to obtain a Private Pesticide Applicators License for Missouri agricultural producers
and will also count for recertification requirements by the state. The training will not certify
for commercial application licenses.
This training is open to producers of agricultural commodities, 18 years of age or older.
Participants will be required to purchase the
reference manual for $12 and pay a small materials fee for a total class fee of $18.
Pre-registration is required by March 2. Persons interested in attending should call (417) 8818909 to reserve a space.
Page 6
Greene County “Reaching Out” Report
Last Updated December 19, 2014
Nutrition and Health Specialist
The Voices for Food Project is focused on
increasing Community Food Security
through sustainable, community-based strategies. In December, community meetings
were held and work was begun to create several Food policy Councils in SW Missouri
Communities to strengthen our local food
system. This project takes a preventionoriented approach to improve access of lowincome households to healthy and nutritious
food, and improve self-reliance to provide
for their own food need. Pam is the State
coordinator for the project which works to
promote comprehensive community responses to local food,
farm and nutrition issues.
County Food, Nutrition, and Health Projects
During December, Pam has worked with
community partners on the Food Hub Feasibility study; Local Food for Economic Development Conference planning; Springfield
Food Hub development planning; coordination and teaching food system workshops;
and individual consultation for 9 people/
organizations.
Healthy Lifestyle Initiative
Pam partners MU Extension resources and
programs with communities to improve
healthy living environments and policies,
and to provide programming for enhanced
healthy lifestyles. During December Pam
worked with schools and collaborators to
develop school healthy-lifestyle programs
for implementation during 2015.
Ozarks Regional
Food Policy Council:
The council worked on
special projects in December, including: coordination of marketing
and access to local
food; update on the
HEAL grant which will
bring the MU Extension Program “Stock
Pam Duitsman
Healthy, Shop
Nutrition specialist
duitsmanp@missouri.edu
Healthy” to Springfield, and will increase
programming in our urban food dessert areas.
Work also continued on
discussion of Food Hub
models and development
of education needed for
local farmers, producers,
and food system partners.
Pam continues to serve on
this Executive Committee
and also on the Broader
Council. The Council exists to provide leadership for good food, strong
farms, healthy communities.
MU Extension Program Integration: As a
part of a state-wide team, Pam is working with
the Heath Systems committee to maximize
impact for MU Extension’s health-related
programs.
www.botanicalcenter.org
Online at http://extension.missouri.edu
Page 7
Greene County “Reaching Out” Report
Last Updated December 19, 2014
4-H Report for Greene County
Sontheimer Shares 4-H
Experience with Bois
D’Arc Classmates
By James Hanson
Ash Grove Commonwealth, Dec. 2, 2014
More About 4-H
As the largest out-of-school
youth organization in the world,
4-H is open to all boys and
girls, ages 5 to18. Children who
are five to seven years old are eligible for 4-H
Clover Kids, an introductory program. Youths
who are 8 to 18 years of age can select from a
variety of 4-H projects and activities that stress
social and life skills in areas like decision making, communication, social interaction, civic
responsibility and physical skills. Children do
not have to live on a farm to join 4-H. Project opportunities include computers, robotics,
foods and nutrition, horticulture, large and
small animals and more. Missouri 4-H is University of Missouri Extension's youth development program. Learn more online.
Last Monday morning, all eyes of the fourth-grade
classes at Bois D’Arc Elementary School were on fellow fourth-grader Monte Sontheimer, who gave a special presentation about 4-H.
Sontheimer has been a member of the Bois D’Arc
Braves—one of the many Greene County 4-H Clubs—
the last four years. He discussed why he enjoys being a
part of the club. “I like the different activities and coming to the meetings,” Sontheimer said. “You get to do a
lot of fun things in 4-H.”
Sontheimer said he was a little nervous
Besides discussing 4-H, he also showcased his
at
first.
“I was a little scared to give the
Brown Red Cochin rooster and previous ribbons that he
presentation,”
he said afterwards. “But I
has won.
calmed
down.
It was a lot of fun.”
Sontheimer said his 4-H club meets the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Bois D’Arc United
Methodist Church. He said other clubs have
different meeting days and times.
“I would encourage any of you who aren’t
in 4-H to join a club, even if it isn’t the Braves
or a club in Greene County,” Sontheimer said.
Several students and both fourth-grade
teachers, Mrs. Curbow and Mrs. Pedersen, had
lots of questions for Sontheimer after his
presentation.
They wanted to know how long chickens
live. The answer: “Seven or eight years is the
average time,” Sontheimer replied.
They also wanted to know where he won
his ribbons and awards. He said they were won
at different 4-H related events and a few were
won showing at the Ozark Empire Fair.
He informed everyone that the four Hs in
Photo by James Hanson: Bois D’Arc fourth-grader
4-H stood for head, heart, health and hands. He
Monte Sontheimer gave a presentation to both fourthalso said the club offers more than just farming/ grade classes last week about 4-H. Here he is pictured
agriculture related events, like sewing, gardenin front of the class with a special guest, one of his
ing, arts and crafts, shooting sports and more.
show roosters, a Brown Red Cochin.
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
Page 8
Greene County “Reaching Out” Report
Last Updated December 19, 2014
Family Nutrition Education Program
Becky Roark





Willard North Elementary
School (K, 1st and 2nd grades),
195 students
McGregor Elementary School
(K and 1st grades), 124 students
Bingham Elementary School
(2nd grade), 75 students
Roark
Well of Life Food Pantry, 281
families

Central Assembly of God Food Pantry, 121
families
The elementary school students have been
tasting different fruits and vegetables during nutrition class.
We talk about tasting with our taste buds in
our mouth and not tasting with our eyes—for
example thinking a fruit or vegetable looks
strange and therefore you may not like it.
Getting kids to try new foods is a big part of
getting them to accept them as part of a healthy
diet. Of course we also stress the importance of
the vitamins we get from these food groups and
how they keep our bodies healthy.


Hull
Wood
Nevatt
Little Sunshine Preschool, “Let’s Read About
Healthy Eating,” 40 children
Harter House-Strafford, display, 62 adults
Life House Crisis Maternity Home, “Eating
Smart, Being Active,” 7 adults
Sherri Hull



Began series of lessons for Willard South
Elementary PreK – 4th, 448 students
Completed series of lessons for Sequiota EleSherri Hull and Marty Wood at a recent commumentary 4th grade, 52 students
nity event educating individuals about dairy
Victory Mission Family Ministries Food
products and Greene County Extension.
Pantry – Display and Discussion about
“Supersizing”, 185 families
Marty Wood





Willard WIC, “Eating Smart,
Being Active,” 31 adults
Willard Food Pantry, display,
51families
Pregnancy Care Center,
“Eating Smart, Being Active,
20 adults
Hand Extended Food Pantry,
display, 62 families
Southwest Mo. Indian Center,
display, 25 families
Family Nutrition Education Program
2160 W. Chesterfield Blvd. Suite F200
Chesterfield Village, Springfield, Mo.
Tel: 417-886-2059 * http://missourifamilies.org
Fossett
Online at http://extension.missouri.edu
DeFord
Edmondson
Williams
Page 9
Greene County “Reaching Out” Report
Last Updated December 19, 2014
Civic Communication Specialist and County Program Director
BY THE NUMBERS (for the month)
 News Service Subscribers: 10,334 weekly
 Requests for advisement: 12
 Regular weekly news columns: 24
 TV/Radio Interviews – 3
 Total articles written this month – 24
CPD DUTIES & PROGRAMS
 Financial oversight, travel authorizations.
 County Commission meetings.
 Friends of Greene County Extension efforts.
 Edited monthly “Reaching Out Report”
 Regular updates to county extension website
 Coordinating meetings of council committees
 Coordinate agriculture programs in the county.
SOCIAL MEDIA
REACH (Oct. 2014):
 Individuals engaged
this month on various
MU Extension Facebook pages: 18,777.
 Added 8 videos to
YouTube this month.
Our MUExteision417
channel continues to
David Burton
get over 100,000 vid- Civic communication
burtond@missouri.edu
eo views a year.
 Researching various
online tools for contact management for Expert Source Program.
Coming up …
Volunteer Needed …




An entire new look for the Greene County Extension Council’s Annual Report will be unveiled in January.
Greene County Extension Council’s annual
meeting — which includes swearing in of new
council members, a meal, a 30th anniversary of
Master Gardeners of Greene County presentation, and recognition of Honor Roll Awards —
will be held Feb. 23 at the Botanical Center.
Council should learn the fate of its request for
$27,000 in funding from the Greene County
Commission in mid-January.
It is possible to donate vehicles to Greene
County Extension and our partners at CoPart.
The donor gets a charity deduction and once
the vehicle sells, Extension gets needed funds.
Call the office at 881-8909.
Research and Write Narrative on 100 year
History of Greene County Extension
Research the history of Greene County Extension and create a narrative for our 100th anniversary. History from 1935 to 1960 is complete.
Council minutes from 1960 to 1970 and from
1997 to present provide more historical narrative
and need to be reviewed for historically important events, programs and people. We have
newspaper clippings and a few annual reports
from the 1960s to 1980s that could help to fill in
some holes. Interviewing some retired extension
specialists that are still in the area could help fill
in much of that time period also. This would
include Gaylord Moore, Byron Morrison, John
Lower, Wilma Lower and Randy Humphrey.
From this research, write a narrative that can be
published and presented online. Contact the
Greene County office for more information.
David Burton’s focus of work as civic communication specialist: Community and civic engagement
through communication and media relations, leading and moderating focus groups, non-profit education
and support, social media in support of disaster recovery and response, marketing extension regionally,
heritage tourism with an emphasis on restoring historic schools; and engaging council members with
media relations efforts like the Southwest Region News Service and the Expert Source Program.
As county program director: David also works with the elected council to operate, fund and administer the local Greene County Extension office and to plan local programs, to engage council members in
this and other work, and to generate local revenue to support programs in Greene County
Online at http://extension.missouri.edu
Page 10
Greene County “Reaching Out” Report
Last Updated December 19, 2014
Community Development
Newspapers are the
Foundation of Vibrant
Communities
By David L. Burton
A recent visitor to my house noted that
I had four different weekly newspapers on
the kitchen counter. “If you have that
many newspaper subscriptions, you must
be rich,” said my friend, who confessed to
never having subscribed to a newspaper in
his entire life.
I wanted to cry in response to the fact
that he had never subscribed to a newspaper, but I laughed instead. “I am not rich
when it comes to money, but these communities
are better off by having a weekly newspaper,” I
said. “That is why I support local newspapers with
my subscription.”
As a consumer, I know first-hand that most
weekly newspaper subscriptions are reasonable. I
have subscriptions to my hometown newspaper, the
newspaper I managed, the newspaper in my community of residence and the newspaper in the community where I work. These newspapers keep me
updated on government decisions, community
events and the lives of my friends.
Despite our changing world, daily and weekly
community newspapers remain a prime source for
recording local news events. Newspapers document
the lives of local citizens from birth to death.
Newspapers chronical the decisions of city councils, county commissions, fire districts and school
boards along with hometown school athletics and
art programs.
Newspapers serve an important function in the
American democratic process. When I was editing
a weekly newspaper, I would say the newspaper
was a “beacon of truth.” I still believe that is true in
most communities. At the very least, quality newspapers aid in the well-being of the communities
they serve.
Newspapers help protect our communities from
destructive influences. Newspapers help to sound
the alarm with accurate and complete coverage of
sensitive or tragic community issues. The best
Online at http://extension.missouri.edu
community newspapers provide facts and editorials that help communities make decisions.
They also help celebrate individual and collective achievements in the community, offer congratulations and join in the community celebration.
Newspapers have an important role in small
and large communities across this country. Despite what a few might have you believe, newspapers are not dead. Weekly newspapers are doing well and for communities that want to grow
and flourish, they are vital.
“Newspapers have an
important role in small and
large communities across
this country. Despite what
a few might have you
believe, newspapers are not
dead.”
— David Burton
Page 11
Greene County “Reaching Out” Report
Last Updated December 19, 2014
Council Budget Request for 2015
DATE:
Dec. 19, 2014
TO:
Greene County Commission
RE:
cil
Request for $27,000 from Commission by Greene County Extension Coun-
The Greene County Extension Council has formally submitted their request for $27,000
of inter-governmental funding from the Greene County Commission during 2015.
This amount ($27,000) is being recommended for two reasons. First, because it is the
last amount provided by the Commission prior to funding the local extension council
with the state minimum funding of $10,000 (established in 1961). Second, the elected
members of the Greene County Extension Council see this amount as part of a “funding
partnership.” This would represent a mix of private giving, office income and county
support in a way that is unprecedented in the state and currently offers our best hope for
maintaining local operations.
This is our income could break out during 2015 if this additional request is provided.
$27,000 – privately raised by Greene County Extension Council
$10,000 – income from soil tests, and income from programs
$27,000 – from Greene County Commission in support of our partnership
$64,000 – total needed for office operations in 2015.
We are thankful for the many individual supporters that have funded local extension
programs over the last five years. Volunteers in our Master Gardener, 4-H and Master
Naturalists programs raise their own funds for the public education they provide. Our
partnership with the Springfield-Greene County Park Board has made it possible for us
to have an outstanding office and meeting space. But solid ongoing funding is needed to
maintain our office and program support functions.
I believe the $27,000 council is requesting this year provides the Commission with an
avenue for supporting a unique funding strategy. I know of no other county office, department or program that funds their own operations in this way. Thank you for your
consideration.
Sincerely,
David Burton
County Program Director and Civic Communication Specialist
Online at http://extension.missouri.edu
Page 12
Greene County “Reaching Out” Report
Last Updated December 19, 2014
Horticulture Specialist
Community Contact:
TV and Radio
 3 live interviews with KOLR10’s John Ziegler
(1 delivered by Kelly McGowan)
 4 radio interviews with Morris Westfall’s
“Farm Page of the Air”
Print media
 Contributed to several articles and interviews
 1 interview with Juliana Goodwin, Springfield
News Leader (12/6/14)
Requests for information
 Telephone contacts – 22 for advisement
 Email contacts – 12 contacts
 Office visits, professional contacts – 1 for consultation and advisement
 Farm site visits – 1 for consultation
Programs Presented:
 “Home Fruit Production”, Master Gardener
core trainings, MG of the Ozarks and Christian
County MG, Hollister and Ozark (11/24/14)
 “International Agricultural Issues at the World
Food Prize/Borlaug Dialog Conference”, Global Food Systems Thematic Team Adobe Connect presentation (12/8/14)

“International Opportunities with Farmer to
Farmer”, Epsilon Sigma Phi Global Relations
Adobe Connect presentation (12/10/14)
 “Food Safety from Farm to Fork”, Eldorado
Springs (12/12/14)
 “Developing an On-Farm Food Safety Plan”,
Eldorado Springs (12/12/14)
 “Update on Food Safety Modernization Act”,
Eldorado Springs (12/12/14)
Coordinated:
 Master Gardeners of Greene County: board
meeting, Springfield (12/1/14); chapter meeting, Springfield (12/9/14)
 Springfield Plateau Master Naturalists: board
meeting, Springfield (12/10/14); meeting,
Springfield (12/15/14)
 Mentoring activities with Robert Balek, MU
Extension regional horticulture specialist
 Horticulture soil test reports - recommendations and distribution for SW region – 8 reports during reporting period
Online at http://extension.missouri.edu
Participated in:
 Missouri Grown curriculum development
teleconference
(12/1/14)
 ConnExt evening
reception, Columbia
(12/1/14)
 MELD VI meeting,
St. Louis (12/2Patrick Byers
12/5/14)
Horticulture
 Ozarks Technical
byerspl@missouri.edu
College Agr/TLM
program advisory
board meeting, Springfield (12/9/14)
 Greene County Soil and Water Conservation
District board meeting, Springfield
(12/16/14)
Upcoming programming and events
 “Home Fruit Production”, Master Gardener
core training, Barry County Master Gardeners, Cassville (1/6/15)
 Coordination of berry sessions at the Great
Plains Growers Conference, St. Joseph
(1/8/15-1/10/15)
 “Update on the Midwest Small Fruit and
Viticulture Spray Guide”, Great Plains
Growers Conference, St. Joseph (1/8/151/10/15)
 “Getting Started in Produce Farming for
Profit”, Webster County Diversified Agriculture Conference, Marshfield (1/17/15)
 2015 Master Gardeners of Greene County
core training orientations, Springfield
(1/28/15, 1/29/15)
 “The Secrets of Saving Seeds”, Springfield/
Greene County Public Library presentations,
Springfield (1/21/15)
Page 13
Greene County “Reaching Out” Report
Last Updated December 19, 2014
4-H / Master Naturalists
MDC and Missouri 4-H
Partnering on MDC Shooting
Range User Survey
gram, provides higher education scholarships, and recognizes 4-H volunteers. MU
Extension 4-H is a community of 276,921
youths from across Missouri learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.
Missouri has a rich history of hunting
and shooting sports, including being a national leader in public shooting range development. For more information about MDC
shooting ranges, including locations, hours,
and driving directions, visit mdc.mo.gov/
node/6209.
The Missouri Department of Conservation
(MDC) is partnering with the Missouri 4-H Foundation to get public input on services and usage of many
of MDC’s unstaffed shooting ranges across the state.
The partnership involves a year-long survey where
University of Missouri Extension 4-H staff will ask
MDC shooting range users to participate in a exit survey about experiences using the ranges.
Surveys will be conducted at approximately 40 MDC unstaffed shooting ranges
from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2015. Participation
in the survey is completely voluntary.
Missouri is a national leader in providing free, publicly-owned shooting ranges
with MDC maintaining 70 unstaffed and
five staffed shooting ranges around the
state.
“The Missouri Department of Conservation’s shooting ranges provide safe places
to practice shooting and archery skills for
Missouri citizens,” said MDC Hunting Education and Shooting Range Coordinator
Kyle Lairmore. “This user survey will help
Exit surveys like the one above will be done by 4-H.
us better understand the needs of people
using the ranges.”
MDC partnered with Missouri 4-H for the survey
because of their mutual interest and long-standing involvement in promoting shooting sports across the
state.
“Missouri 4-H is a national leader in youth shooting sports with a significant interest in the quality of
The Missouri Master Naturalist Program
the experience at the shooting ranges in our state, so
results from a partnership created in 2004
we’re very pleased to implement this important probetween the Missouri Department of
gram on behalf of MDC and the public,” said Missouri
Conservation (MDC) and MU Extension
4-H Foundation Executive Director Cheryl
(MUE). The Missouri Master Naturalist
Reams. “We encourage range users to participate in
Program is recognized as a “named and
this survey to help MDC to continue providing the
branded” program within MU Extension.
best facilities for our states’ hunting and shooting enThe MU School of Natural Resources is
thusiasts.”
the academic home for the Program. See
Celebrating 64 years of service to 4-H youth, the
www.springfieldmasternaturalist.com or
Missouri 4-H Foundation secures and manages funds
springfieldmn.blogspot.com/
for the MU Extension 4-H Youth Development Pro-
Online at http://extension.missouri.edu
Page 14
Donation period runs from November 1, 2014 to Oct. 31, 2015
2015 Contributors to “Friends of Greene County Extension”
Glenn Blake
Shelby Bradley
David & Stacey Burton
Ramona Burton
Carr Stock Farms
Alice Counts
Johnny Davis
George Deatz
Barb Decker
Jim Eckhoff
Carl Hathcock
Avis Holloway
Rebecca Hoy
Galen Jones
Dr. Jeff Jones
Master Gardeners of
Greene County
Fred & Dorothy Miller
Dean & Jackie Morgan
Edie Nelson
Benjamin Newville
Don Nicholson
Minuen Odom
Ryan Lawn & Tree
Dale & Carrie Sanders
Matthew Simpson
Jeanie Skibiski
Virginia Snyder
Springfield Watergarden
Society
Stephen Taylor
Ronald & Sue Terry
Gene Wallace
A sincere thank you to our donors (listed at left) who
have helped to kick-off the 2015 campaign for Friends
of Greene County Extension with an early gift in November or December. Our goal is to raise $35,000 in
2015 from individuals who care about the mission of
MU Extension locally. Gifts can be made using a credit
card online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene.
Pat Ware, member of Master Gardeners and President of
the Springfield Watergarden Society (left) and Missy
Sanford , President of the Master Gardeners (right) present George Deatz with a $500 check for Friends of
Greene County Extension from the fall garden tour organized by the Master Gardeners of Greene County and the
Springfield Watergarden Society. The presentation was
made during the November council meeting. The tour
stops were highlighted in our September newsletter.
Friends of Greene County Extension
Total Contributed:
Cash = $7,022
Since 1914, Greene County residents have sought help in agriculture, gardening, 4-H youth, nutrition, families, business
and community development from Extension. Members of
“Friends of Greene County Extension” contribute financially to make it possible for Extension to continue having a
positive impact on the quality of life in Greene County. To
learn how you can help by contributing go to extension.missouri.edu/greene or call (417) 881-8909.
Greene County “Reaching Out” Report
Last Updated December 19, 2014
Extension/Partner Meetings
County Commission meetings: 1st and 3rd
Mondays of month; confirm agenda and meeting
at http://www.greenecountymo.org/commission.
Commission building, Springfield, at 9:30 a.m.
Park Board Meetings: Second Friday of
each month at 8:30 a.m. Call 864-1049 to confirm location of meeting.
4-H Leader’s Council Meetings: 3rd Thursday of each month (except July) from 7 p.m. to 9
p.m., at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2852 S
Dayton Ave, Springfield.
Greene County 4-H Foundation: meets 3rd
Thursday of each month at Panera Bread on Battlefield (across from the Mall) starting at 6 p.m.
Master Gardeners of Greene County—
board meeting: First Monday of each month at
4:30 p.m. at the Botanical Center.
Master Naturalists Board Meetings: The
board meets at 5:30 p.m. at the MDC regional
office, on the second Wednesday of the month.
Master Gardeners of Greene County-membership meeting: Second Tuesday each
month at 6:00 p.m. at the Botanical Center.
Greene County Farm Bureau — Second
Monday of the month at Farm Bureau 2530 S
Campbell Ave, Springfield. Starts at 7:30 p.m.
Greene County Extension
Office located inside the
Springfield-Greene County
Botanical Center
2400 S. Scenic Ave.,
Springfield, Mo. 65807
Tel: (417) 881-8909
Fax (417) 823-4818
Office hours:
Monday - Friday * 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Corporate Sponsors





Sanford, Lea and Associates, CPA, Springfield, Mo.: (417) 886-2220,
www.adifferentcpa.com
Master Gardeners of Greene County:
http://www.mggreene.org
Meyer Communications, KWTO 560 AM /
KTXR 101.3 FM: (417) 862-3751
www.radiospringfield.com/
Sunshine Valley Farm, 8125 E State Highway AD, Rogersville, ph. (417) 753-2698,
http://www.sunshinevalleyfarm.com/
Springfield-Greene County Park Board,
Ph 417-864-1049, www.parkboard.org
Can I Help?
Lorri Winters can help customers with material needs, soil
tests or program registrations.
Contact her at the Greene
County Extension Center,
(417) 881-8909 or email her at
wintersl@missouri.edu. Lorri
Winters joined Greene County
Extension in 2005.
Lorri Winters
Office Manager
Videos on YouTube
Watch the videos posted to our channel at
www.youtube.com/MUExtension417.
On Facebook
Get regular updates about programs and news from
MU Extension in southwest Missouri. Find us at
facebook.com/MUExtension417.
Each “Reaching Out Report” is used by Greene
County Extension specialists to concisely communicate activities, contacts and events to members of the
Greene County Extension Council, Greene County
Commission and residents of Greene County. For
more about this report contact the editor, David Burton, at (417) 881-8909.
Online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene