February 2014 - Reaching Out Report

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

February 2014 * Vol. 6, Issue 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Upcoming events … page 2 Nutrition program … pages 3 David Burton … pages 4-5 Legislative Day… page 6-7 Patrick Byers … pages 8-9 4-H Report … page 9 Master Naturalists … page 9 Master Gardeners … pages 10 Pam Duitsman… page 11-12 Agriculture… page 13 Updated Friends list … page 14-15 Sponsors & Partners page 16

Master Gardeners Contribute $3000 Missy Sanford, president of the Master Gardeners of Greene County, presented a check for $3,000 to the Greene County Extension Council on Monday, Jan. 27, 2014. Missy (center) is shown here with Carl Allison (left), council chair and George Deatz (right), council member. The donation from the local chapter is given as part of the 2014 Friends of Greene County Extension campaign. Members of the local chapter have been extremely supportive of efforts to raise operational funds for the country extension office. Master Gardeners also serve as Extension volunteers and offer a number of educational programs to residents.

Learn more online at www.mggreene.org

Online Event Calendar The most up-to-date list of reported upcoming MU Extension programs in Greene County is available online at extension.missouri.edu/greene

Calendar is visible on right side of page.

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 February 23, 2014

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

Gardening Programs The Master Gardeners maintain a busy program calendar as well and it can be accessed on the chapter website at http://mggreene.org/

Garden Inspired Writing Retreat This program is for anyone who wants to be more creative whether you like journal writing, poetry, fiction, non-fiction or news writing. Bring your own writing tools. Meet in the Botanical Center Atrium. Sessions available in 2013: March 6, April 3 and May 1. To register call 881-8909.

Time: 9 a.m. to noon Fee: $20 per person, per session Registration available online. Age: All ages

Farm Management for Women: Annie’s Project Starts March 3 A series of farm management courses designed for women – known as Annie’s Project –will be offered at University of Missouri Extension in Greene County starting March 3. The course should be of interest to women who want to learn how to run a farm as a business.

The Annie’s Project course includes six evening classes on Mondays (March 3, 10, 17, 24, and April 7, 14). The classes will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S. Scenic Ave, Springfield, Mo. Class size will be limited to 25 women. To register, contact the Greene County Extension Center at 417-881-8909 or greeneco@missouri.edu. A registration flyer is also available online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene.

“Supervisory Certificate Series” This professional series of classes will address the following topics: building effective relationships, legal responsibilities of a supervisor, communicating successfully, leading high-performance teams, coaching employees and guiding conflict resolution. The series is broken into four days: Monday, March 17, Tuesday March 18, Tuesday, April 1 and Wednesday April 2. All classes will be held in the community room at White River Valley Electric, 2449 E State Highway 76, Branson. You can learn more by calling 881-8909 or register online at extension.missouri.edu/greene.

ACA for Small Business Register now for the free "Affordable Care Act for Small Business" class being taught by MU Extension in Springfield on Feb. 27. Chrystal Irons will be the instructor. You can learn more or register online at extension.missouri.edu/greene.

Soils and Crops Conference More details to be announced soon: 6 p.m., March 18 at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center.

Speakers: "Unmanned Aerial Systems for Agriculture (Drones)" by Dr. Bill Weibold, State Soybean Specialist; "Winter Livestock Water: Nothing is Maintenance-Free," by Mark Green, Greene Co NRCS; "Pasture Weed and Brush Control by Tim Schnakenberg, Agronomy Specialist."

Potting Shed University Volunteers with Master Gardeners of Greene County have planned a series that begins Monday, Feb. 24 and runs through April 28, Potting Shed University will present a series of 10 topics. Learn more online at http://mggreene.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.

Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated February 23, 2014

Family Nutrition Education Program Becky Roark      

Republic WIC Clinic—27 clients Well of Life Food Pantry— 240 families Central Assembly Food Pantry— 82 families Roark Shady Dell Early Childhood Center—135 students Sherwood Elementary School —190 students Boyd Elementary School—215 students

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Victory Mission Family Ministries Food Pantry – Display & Discussion about “Healthy Snacking”; 125 Participants Republic WIC Clinic, lessons on “Whole Grains” 32 clients Began series of lessons at Walnut Grove Elem. PK-6th grade – 152 students; Bois D’ Arc Elem 4th-5th grade – 100 students; Campbell Small Wonders PK – 45 students Attended presentation by Dr. Ruby Payne “The Framework for Understanding Poverty”

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Wood

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Hand Extended Food Pantry: Eating on A Budget Display -- 100 families Crosslines Food Pantry: Whole Grains Display Adults -- 1715 families Southwest Mo. Indian Center: Discretionary Calories Display -- 20 families Ritter Springs Head Start: Let’s Read About Healthy Eating Children -- 120 children

Jenni Nevatt 

Eating Smart class at Price Cutter on 2/25

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

Marty Wood 

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Willard WIC: Eating Smart, Being Active -- 11 families Willard Food Pantry: Get Moving Display -- 37 families Pregnancy Care Center: Eating Smart, Being Active -- 12 adults

Call the office to inquire about nutrition education.

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

DeFord

Edmondson

Williams Page 3

Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated February 23, 2014

Civic Communication Specialist and County Program Director KEY PROGRAMS OR EVENTS  Internal reporting known as webapps. This is a complex and time consuming process that requires research and preparation.  CPD phone conference about fall training.  Southwest Regional faculty meeting  Southwest Regional Council meeting  KOLR TV Spot  Consulting with Master Gardeners on both future marketing efforts and the chapter history book that is being developed.  Took council members to Legislative Day  Prepared materials and program for the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Extension Council.  I submit three special columns each week.

AGRICULTURE CONFERENCES I’m working with Tim Schnakenberg, agronomy specialist in Galena, to present the 91st Annual Greene County Soils and Crops Conference. Our goal is to make the event self-supporting this year.

I am also working with potential sponsors and others on a fall event I’m calling: “Salute to Century Farms.” This replaces the Century Farm presentations that have been done at the Ozark Empire Fair.

BY THE NUMBERS (for the month)  News Service Subscribers: 9,455 weekly  Requests for advisement: 12  Regular weekly news columns: 14  TV/Radio Interviews – 1  Total articles written this month – 37

BOOKS FOR SALE ONLINE The sale of books continue to generate funds. Search for my name on www.Amazon.com or visit our county website.

PUBLICATIONS ON DISTRIBLY.COM David Burton Program publications are Civic communication available for purchase as burtond@missouri.edu PDF download on Distribly.com. All proceeds benefit Greene County Extension. Look for Greene County Extension on www.distribly.com.

GRANTS SUBMITTED IN 2014 For the past several months I have been working on five grant applications—three of which have now been submitted. The most recent grant was submitted to the Greene County Senior Board.

Here are some relevant details about each submitted grant request: Force for Good (Mercy): Request to fund Extension program expansion in Greene County for woman and minorities.

Gannett Foundation: Request to fund Extension program expansion in Greene County for woman and minorities.

COUNTY PROGRAM DIRECTOR DUTIES  Financial oversight, travel authorizations.  Park Board and County Commission mtgs.  Friends of Greene County Extension.  Met with campus marketing/media directors and council members to discuss possible 2014 projects and marketing improvements.  Expanded council committee list is an effort to expand volunteer help and programs.  Edited monthly “Reaching Out Report”  Regular updates to county extension website

Greene County Senior Board: Submitted a proposal to funding presentations at senior centers in the county about one-room schools. This would be done in order to discover and schedule individuals for oral history collection in conjunction with the Missouri State Historical Society.

SOCIAL MEDIA REACH (January 2014) Individuals reached during this month via the regional extension social media tools: 186,664.

Extension cost proposals: Got two projects I’m working on with our regional director that would generate funds for local programming.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

Missouri Humanities Council: Submitting a proposal to underwrite the statewide launch of the Missouri Historic Schools Alliance. Would include funding for administration and programs.

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated February 23, 2014

Civic Communication Specialist and County Program Director Three Interns Begin Learning with Greene County Extension Three college interns began spring projects with Greene County Extension under the supervision of David Burton, county program director. Each student is working on a different project. Plenty of project ideas still remain according to Burton who says an intern has already been recruited for the summer. A list of projects that would be appropriate for interns or volunteers is posted on the Greene County Extension website.

Vicke Kepling Vicke H. Kepling is a graduate business student at MSU and will be graduating with an MBA and a graduate certificate in public management this May. Her background experience is in journalism, advertising, and office management. Kepling enjoys creativity, communications, and community service. She aspires to make the world a better place for future generations.

Vicke Kepling (publications intern) has completed a revision of our Greene County Extension brochure and is now working to update our regional media and expert speakers guide.

Jennifer Kervian As a upcoming graduate at Drury University with a bachelors of arts in history, Jennifer Kervian is working with Greene County University of Missouri Extension this spring semester. She plans to find work in a related field, preferably in the state of Missouri.

She enjoys social history and uncovering information about the culture of the past as opposed to just seeing things factually. While at her Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

time at Drury University she also attended Tsinghua University in Beijing for a semester to study Mandarin, and spent a summer interning in Washington DC through The Washington Center Program. She is currently working on creating a directory of one room schoolhouses to exhibit this coming June at the national conference of Country School Association of America.

Savannah Fitzgerald Savannah Fitzgerald is a political science major at MSU. Her primary project is to develop the council’s candidate forum for this spring to introduce candidates for Presiding Commissioner to Greene County residents. She is working closely with council members Matt Simpson and Chrystal Quade.

Savannah will also be working on a council training presentation.

Interns and Volunteers needed: Plenty of Fun Projects to Pursue A list of projects our interns and volunteers are being asked to pursue can be found at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene. A significant need exists for someone to read the rest of the Extension Council minutes from the mid-1960s to present in order to write a narrative about the history of Greene County Extension. Notes have already been taken on the minutes from 1937 to the mid-1960s.

Annual Meeting 2014 New extension council members and officers were sworn in Monday, Feb. 24 at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Greene County Extension Council. Pictures and details will be in next month’s Reaching Out Report.

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated February 23, 2014

Legislative Day 2014 Greene County Council Members Enjoy Successful Legislative Day Three Greene County Extension Council members and County Program Director David Burton travelled to Jefferson City on Tuesday, Feb. 18 to take part in University of Missouri’s Legislative Day. University of Missouri Extension Association (UMEA) worked with Extension staff and volunteers from across the state to make the day a success for the 350 who attended.

Council members Mary Sue Joplin, Katie Steinhoff and Tamra VonFoerster represented Greene County and visited elected officials with districts in Greene County (shown here) as well as Representative Jeffrey Messenger (Dist. 130) who met with council members in the House Chamber and Lincoln Hough (Dist. 135).

Outgoing council chair Carl Allison also joined the group for a portion of the day and during lunch.

Allison also visited with Representative Ken Austin (District 136) in his office.

From left to right, council members Tamra VonFoerster, Mary Sue Joplin and Katie Steinhoff pose with Missouri State Senator Jay Wasson who represents Christian and a part of Greene County.

From left to right on front row, council member Mary Sue Joplin, Missouri State Representative Sonya Anderson (District 131) and council member Katie Steinhoff; back row council members Carl Allison and Tamra VonFoerster outside the House hearing rooms.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated February 23, 2014

Legislative Day 2014 Picture identification from Greene County Extension Council’s Legislative Day trip: #1) From left to right, council member Katie Steinhoff, Missouri State Senator Bob Dixon (District 30), council member Tamra VonFoerster, and council treasurer Mary Sue Joplin. #2) From left to right, council members Mary Sue Joplin, Katie Steinhoff and Tamra VonFoerster with Missouri State Representative Eric Burlison (District 133).

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#3) From left to right, country program director David Burton, council members Katie Steinhoff, Representative Lyndall Fraker (Dist. 137), and council members Tamra VonFoerster and Mary Sue Joplin.

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Missouri Governor Jay Nixon (above) and University of Missouri System President Tom Wolfe spoke to the volunteers during a rally in the rotunda.

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Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated February 23, 2014

Horticulture Specialist Community Contact:

Coordinated:

TV and Radio  3 live interviews on KOLR10, Chris Smith  4 radio interviews with Morris Westfall’s “Farm Page of the Air” Requests for information  Telephone contacts – 39 for advisement  Email contacts – 41 contacts  Office visits, professional contacts – 2 for consultation and advisement  Farm site visits – 5 for advisement

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Master Gardener of Greene County core training orientations, Springfield (1/28/14, 1/30/14) Master Gardeners of Greene County board meeting (2/3/14) Master Gardeners of Patrick Byers Greene County chapHorticulture ter meeting (2/11/14) byerspl@missouri.edu Springfield Plateau Master Naturalists chapter meeting (2/12/14) Adding Fruit to Your Farm workshop (with Hmong translation), Springfield (2/14/14) Fruit Pruning FMO/Kraft Professional Development workshop, Springfield (2/14/14) Master Gardener Hotline Development meeting, Springfield (2/17/14) KRAFT fruit grafting workshop, Springfield (2/17/14) Horticulture soil test recommendations for SW region – 26 reports this month

“Food Safety from Farm to Market,” Missouri State Farmers Market Association conference,  Washington (1/24/14) “Berry Opportunities for Produce Auctions,”  Jamesport Produce Auction annual meeting, Jamesport (1/25/14)  “Food Safety from Farm to Market,” Farmers Market workshop, Eldorado Springs (2/1/14)  “Best Management Practices in the High Tunnel,” Farmers Market workshop, Eldorado  Springs (2/1/14) “Weed Control,” IPM Update workshop, Lamar (2/12/14) “Production Updates,” IPM Update workshop, Lamar (2/12/14) “Opportunities and Challenges in High Tunnels,” IPM workshop, Lamar (2/12/14) “All About Tomatoes,” Spring Lawn and Garden Show, Springfield (2/15/14) “Best Backyard Berries,” Spring Lawn and Garden Show, Springfield (2/15/14) “Plant Propagation,” Greene County Master Gardener core training, Springfield (2/18/14) Patrick Byers, working with an interpret“Soil Health,” Advanced er to deliver a program to Hmong farmSoils/Irrigation FMO/Kraft ers on the potential for commercial fruit Professional Development production. The program was held at Sunshine Valley Farm, Springfield. workshop, Springfield http://www.sunshinevalleyfarm.com/ (2/19/14)

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

Participated in: 

Public Operator Pesticide Recertification training, Kansas City (1/23/14)  MOFMA Food Safety Workshop, Washington (1/24/14)  Greene County Extension Council meeting, Springfield (1/27/14)  FMO Board retreat planning meeting, Springfield (2/5/14)  Missouri Organic Association meeting, Springfield (2/6/14, 2/7/14)  Planning meeting with Shon Bishop and LU farm workers, Mount Vernon (2/10/14) Next page

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated February 23, 2014

4-H and Master Naturalists Report for Greene County  

Master Naturalist coordinators meeting, Jefferson City (2/11/14) FOG garden committee and board meeting, Springfield (2/13/14)

Upcoming programming     

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Master Gardeners of Greene County core training (2/19-4/3/14) Food Safety and Specialty Crop Production Practices workshop, Bolivar (2/24/14) Grape Pruning Workshop, Nevada (3/3/14) “Specialty Bulbs,” Nevada Master Gardeners workshop, Nevada (3/3/14) “Developing a Winning Farmers Market Booth,” FMO/Kraft Professional Development workshop, Springfield (3/5/14) Fruit Grafting Workshop, Mountain Grove (3/12/14) Food Safety Workshop, Kansas City (3/14-15/14) “Vegetable Grafting,” guest lecture MSU vegetable production class, Springfield (3/17/14) Hotline Development meeting, Springfield (3/17/14) Food Safety Workshop, ,” FMO/Kraft Professional Development workshop, Springfield (3/19/14) Pest Management, ,” FMO/Kraft Professional Development workshop, Springfield (3/19/14) LUC Tree Pruning Workshop, Lampe (3/20/14) “Starting a Vegetable Farm,” Missouri Minority and Limited Resource Farmers Conference, Jefferson City (3/22/14) “Easy Care Turf and Groundcovers,” Potting Shed University, Springfield (3/24/14) Fruit Grafting Workshop, Springfield (3/26/24) “Seed Saving,” Springfield Herb Society seed swap, Springfield (3/29/14)

More About 4-H As the largest out-of-school youth organization in the world, 4-H is open to all boys and girls, ages 5 to18. Children who are five to seven years old are eligible for 4-H Clover Kids, an introductory program. Youths who are 8 to 18 years of age can select from a variety of 4-H projects and activities that stress social and life skills in areas like decision making, communication, social interaction, civic responsibility and physical skills. Children do not have to live on a farm to join 4-H. Project opportunities include computers, robotics, foods and nutrition, horticulture, large and small animals and more. Missouri 4-H is University of Missouri Extension's youth development program. Learn more online.

The 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 and branded” 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/

Human Interest: Greene County – The 2014 Master Gardeners of Greene County core training began on Tuesday, February 19. The class includes 56 enthusiastic horticulturists who have undertaken the 13 class core training.

The Master Gardeners of Greene County celebrate 30 years of volunteer service to the citizens of Greene County in 2014. www.botanicalcenter.org

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated February 23, 2014

Master Gardeners of Greene County

Master Gardener Spotlight:

Pat Swackhammer Q: When did you join Master Gardeners and why?

A: I joined in 2010. I had retired and had a cousin that was a master gardener in Fort Worth. He made it sound like a good idea so I went for it and never looked back.

Q: What kind of gardening background do you have?

A: My early gardening experience was my mother attaching me to a hoe in the garden with a long row of some kind of vegetable in front of me. I hated it, but I also had a profound love of eating. After I was grown with children of my own, I tried it with my kids with very limited success. I would find an abandoned hoe and lots of weeds!

Q: What is your favorite thing about Master Gardeners of Greene County?

A: I have taken a great deal of pleasure from my association with the Master Gardeners. What a fun, knowledgeable, and dedicated group! They also love to eat!! I have been associated with this group long enough to have seen the birth of the Botanical Center. This wonderful addition to our community has facilitated the association of so many related groups that it is hard to tell where one ends and another begins. FOG, Springfield Water Garden Society, Hosta Society, Herbs, Lilies, Orchids, etc., etc. There is something exciting to do every day.

Q: What is one of your favorite growing tips that you would like to share?

A: Never plant more than you are willing to take care of. Too bad I don’t take my own advice! Also be sure to move your tomatoes every year.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

The Master Gardener Program is a popular and successful statewide volunteer community-service organization administered through University of Missouri Extension. The organization’s goal is to train gardeners who are willing to share their knowledge with others. Master Gardeners become volunteers of University of Missouri Extension and donate hours for community educational projects in horticulture. Volunteer activities include working with non-profit organizations, maintaining community gardens, conducting workshops, participating in a Master Gardener speakers’ bureau and staffing the Master Gardener “Hotline.” The Master Gardeners of Greene County can boast of over 300 members. For more information visit the chapters website at http://www.mggreene.org.

Upcoming Events 16th Annual Master Gardener Plant Sale: 7:30 a.m. rain or shine on April 26 at the Botanical Center 2014 Potting Shed University: Monday evenings from 6-8 p.m. @ Botanical Center Workshop Feb. 24-April 28

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

Visit www.mggreene.org for a class list and prices. For registration information call 417881-8909.

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated February 23, 2014

Nutrition Specialist Chronic Disease Self-Management

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This six-week series was held in Springfield, and covered subjects including: techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation; appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance; appropriate use of medications; communicating effectively with health professionals; nutrition; and how to evaluate new treatments. Outcomes of this class include:  Improvement of health outcomes and reduction of health care utilization  Decreased activity limitations and depression symptoms  Improved communication with health care provider  Improvements in quality of life, fatigue and sleep problems  Improvements in pain and shortness of breath  A significant improvement in ER visits and hospitalization

Greene County Healthy Food Pantry Collaborative

Unbiased pre-enrollment education for informed health insurance decision-making  Education on how to use the plan purchased  Connect Missourians with resources Pam is working with the SW MO Duitsman community marketplace partnership to provide coordinated programing to reach audiences in Greene and surrounding counties.

Pam is a member of this group, working to support Food Pantries in Greene County. Meetings for Pantry Directors are held to offer a forum for problem sharing, brainstorming of solutions, and sharing of resources.

Nutrition education and appropriate recipes are offered to pantry clients. Pantry volunteers and staff members are undergoing training in “Nutrition Ambassadors”, which will allow ongoing support for Pantry clients. Food drives are initiated throughout the year, and a website with resources has been developed. Pantry Directors met with committee members from Cox, MSU and MU Extension in February.

Health Insurance Education Initiative Pam offers workshops to assist participants in making informed health insurance decisions, increase their knowledge and skills about health insurance, improve health-literacy, and increase their confidence in complying with the new health-care law (Affordable Care Act). Six workshops have been held in Greene County since last October. A few details of what participants gain from the program:  Awareness – who is eligible for what, how to obtain insurance, etc.  General health insurance literacy

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

Ozarks Regional Food Policy Council The ORFPC is a forum for representatives of the local food system, and provides a framework for addressing and providing solutions to issues such as food production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste disposal. The group operates through a group of committees: Healthy People; Strong Communities; Sustainable Ecosystems; Thriving Local Economies; and Vibrant Farms.

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated February 23, 2014

Nutrition Specialist Economic Development through Local Food Local Food as a Driver for Economic Development is the focus for a committee Pam is working with to bring a series of educational events to Greene County.

Regional Food Solutions; Food CORE; and the Ozark Regional Food Policy Council.

Partners include: Healthy Living Alliance; CoxHealth; ANPAC; Regional Food Solutions; Food CORE; and the Ozark Regional Food Policy Council.

USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Grant: Pam works 75% on this grant, and is developing materials to assist rural communities with developing Food Policy Councils; and to assist rural communities with reducing Food Insecurity. This work is being done in collaboration with five other states in the North Central Region of Cooperative Extension. These materials will be utilized in SW Missouri beginning in 2014.

MU Extension Program Integration: Pam is a member of the Health Systems team, working to: integrate our health-related programs with research; maximize the impact of our programs by exceeding participant expectations; develop sustainable resource generation; and elevate MU Extension’s value. The work takes an interdisciplinary approach to increase the flexibility of the organization, and the ability to move resources quickly, based upon program needs. This team met three times during the month of February.

Healthy Lifestyle Initiative Pam works with communities to form partnerships and coalitions to help develop healthy communities with policies and environments that support

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activities. In February, an Iron-Chef event was held with children K-12, to increase awareness of where food comes from; how to handle food safely; and how to prepare healthy tasty food.

Pam also worked with communities in Lawrence county this month on building a healthy community web-site, and partnering with local schools to develop sustainable community wellness programs.

Growing Health Communities: Impact of Food Policy and Regional Food System Management on Health: was a track at the February Missouri Organic Association conference. Pam spoke on the Health Implications of an Industrialized Food System. Sixty individuals participated in the day-long workshop to earn CEUs and learn more about their Food System.

Seminars and workshops:  State Laws for School Foods  Engaging Youth for Creating Healthier Futures for their Communities  Missouri Organic Association Conference  Local Food: Selling to Large Systems  Collaborative Leadership Workshop Other Programming/grant work in January:  MU Extension Program Integration Health Systems core team work to provide Mental Health programming to county constituents.  Healthy Lifestyle Initiative, Christian County  Healthy Lifestyle Initiative, Lawrence County  MU Extension team to develop on-line courses for senior citizens

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Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated February 23, 2014

Agriculture Chain Saw Safety Training for Springfield Public Works Department Employees On Jan. 30, 24 employees and supervisors with the Springfield Public Works Department received training on chain saw safety and tree pruning tips. The training was taught by Bob Schultheis, natural resource engineering specialist based in Marshfield.

The training was requested by the safety coordinator of the Springfield-Greene County Parks and Recreation Department, with the goal to keep workers safe both on and off the job, and thus minimize worker compensation insurance claims and lost work days.

The workers learned about where and how most chain saw injuries occur; reaction

times; choos- Bob Schultheis ing and using Natural Resources appropriate Engineering Spec. safety gear; In Webster County noise levels Tel: (417) 859-2044 and hearing loss prevention; preparing, starting, and using a chain saw; causes and prevention of saw kickback, tree felling and limbing procedures, and pruning techniques for standing trees.

Written evaluations showed knowledge levels increased by 21 percent from the 1.5hour session, and 100 percent of participants indicated they would recommend this training to others. Fifteen people cited specific things they will do differently as of result of the safety training they received, including wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and taking more safety precautions.

Council and Community

Invitation to Serve on Council Committees The Greene County Extension Council is opening its committees up to members of the public and inviting county residents to volunteer for serve on these committees. Council committees can organize their own meeting times and places, select their own committee chairs, appoint non-council members and give updates at council meetings. Those wanting to serve should telephone or email the Greene County Extension office with their contact information and the committees on which they wish to serve.

Email can be sent to greeneco@missouri.edu. The available committees include: ELECTION: Work on logistics of council election. Recruit potential candidates.

BUDGET & AUDITS: Review past budgets, prepare budget for new year and conduct council audits.

PERSONNEL: Review policies for Greene County Extension and conduct review of council staff.

4-H ACTION: This committee works closely with 4-H volunteers in the county.

MEDIA & MARKETING: This committee works to evaluate and improve local media and marketing efforts by helping to produce content and materials.

ACTION COMMITTEE: Assist in coordinating and implementing action steps with the Commission and others to improve county funding.

AGRICULTURE: This committee will make decisions regarding agriculture programs in the county and funding for farm visits in the county. Programs for this committee include soils and crops, Annie’s Project and Salute to Century Farms.

HISTORIC SCHOOLS: This committee is responsible for developing the Missouri Historic Schools Alliance program for Greene County Extension. Including in this is a local tour of historic schools and a statewide “Century Schools” recognition program that has the potential to generate funds for our office.

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu

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Donation period runs from October 1 to Sept. 30

2014 Contributors to “Friends of Greene County Extension” Corporate Level Master Gardeners of Greene County Sanford & Associates

Benefactor Level Patron Level William & Virginia Darr George Deatz Friends of the Garden Ann Hall Joe Jenkins

Sponsor Level Greater Ozarks Hosta Society Greene Co. Soil & Water Conservation District RDW Family & Community Fund Jim & Nancy Tucker Contributor Level Carl Allison David & Stacey Burton Ramona Burton Marla Calico Dr. Greenthumb/Greg Peterson Family Gaylen & Dedra Jones Jack Kaiser Ryan Lawn & Tree Jody & Barbara Norman Randall & Linda Sheridan Springfield Watergarden Society

Friends Level Glenn & Beverly Blake Shelby Bradley Alice Counts Bob Cirtin Billie Sue Fuller Mary Gallagher James Garton Paul & Della Goodwin David & Linda Hall Avis Holloway Richard & Yvonne Jarvis Jeff Jones Mary Sue Joplin Pauline Marsh Steve & Marlu McElhany Dellene Nelson Steve & Pam Squibb Ronald & Sue Carroll Terry Lee & Julie Viorel Chris & Colette Wilbers

Associate Level Jodie Adams Cindy Arrowood Mr./Mrs. David Bailey Robert & Jana Belk Mardell Bontrager Keith & Malia Bucher Carr Stock Farms, LLC Kim Chaffin Steven Counts Kathleen Goff Douglas Green Fred & Elaine Hamburg Harrison Farm Dulcinea Fisher-Smith William Hosman Rita Johnson Bob & Barbara Kipfer Dorothy Miller

Frieda Morris Edie Nelson Albert Niewald Gladys O’Dell Minuen Odom Cathy & Alex Primm Crystal Quade H. James Roper Second Wind Companies Stewart Farm Elizabeth & Paul Taylor Randy Underwood Leslie Wilde

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

To learn how you can help by contributing go to extension.missouri.edu/ greene or call (417) 881-8909.

Total Cash Contributed: $19,539.65

Donation period for our “annual fund” year runs from October 1 to Sept. 30.

2013 Contributors to “Friends of Greene County Extension” Corporate Level Sanford & Assoc. CPA

Friends Level

Carl Allison Clydette Alsup Egbers Master Gardeners of Judy Averett Greene County Lisa & John Bakerink The Beauty Shop Meyer Mark & Renae Communications— Bernskoetter KWTO and KTXR Judith Bradley American Business Ramona Burton Systems Donna Carney Carr Stock Farms, LLC Sunshine Valley Farm Bob Childress — Jan and Robert & Brenda Cirtin Michael Wooten Debbie & Stephen Benefactor Level Collins Greene County Soil & Charles Edmonson Water ConservaBillie Sue Fuller tion District Board James Garton Dr. Greenthumb of Patron Level Springfield LLC Harold Bender David Hall Major and Marthe Marjorie Harris Close Debi Hunget Jack Crabb Richard Jarvis George Deatz Joe Jenkins Sharon DeRubis Jeffrey Jones Gaylen and Deborah Sponsor Level Jones Anonymous Dr. Douglas Jones David & Stacey Burton Mary Joplin David & Nancy Ann Kynion Chambers Peter Longley Home Pride Inc. Darlene Nave Jack Kaiser Dellene Nelson Old Missouri Bank / Larry Nelson Billy Claiborn Nosegay Garden Club — Yvette Platz Contributor Level Larry & Nancy O'Reilly Harold Bengsch Barbara Parker Joyce Brown Ryan & Kelly Patterson Marla Calico Carolyn Schirmer Linda Deatz Howard Schwartz Dalen & Pam Duitsman Sheryl Shaefer Ann Hall Jim Shelledy Main Street Feeds Mike Sidebottom Darrell & Danette Paula Vinson Proctor David & Glenda Welde Race Brothers Farm Leslie Wilde Supply Gail Wright

Partner Level Anonymous Dan Cardwell Robert Crankshaw Mr. and Mrs. Rex Conway Fraley Dayle Enderson Rae Ann Feemster Barbara Kipfer James Mauldin Frieda Morris Albert & Nancy Niewald Betty Shook Patsy Spindler Mr. & Mrs. Randy Underwood Paula Vinson Rebecca Willis Wannagetta Pizza

Associate Level Doris Adams Marilyn Anderson Ted Anderson Cynthia Arrowood Jennifer Baldwin Diann Barth Julia Boyce Malia Bucher Pat Buton Wanda Bumgarner Sherry Clifton Steven Counts/DPI Printing Oscar Cross Barbara Dickensheet George Freeman Patsy Fry Rob & Brenda Funkhouser Cindy Garner James Garton Don & Sandy Garoutte Dorothy Hilton Avis Holloway

Roberta Jones Kenny Knauer Sandra Letson Dewayne Long Karen McDonald Fred & Dorothy Miller Lisa Munkatchy Edie Nelson Ruth PenaherreraNorton Stephen & Tana Pulles Crystal Ramos Kathryn Redman Reva Roberson Wanda Simpkins Mike & Dianne Six Jeanie Skibiski Kathryn Steinhoff Carol Stephenson Paul Taylor Gene Thomas Patricia Tursi Charles Wallace Alan & Pat Ware John & Lorri Winters A. Lee Worman Circle B Ranch Echigo Farm Fassnight Creek Farm Farm Road 168 Happy Mouth Foods Katiemade Breads Landers Meats Mockingbird Gardens Ozark Natural Foods Quickley Produce Farm Sunny Lane Farms Sassie Sharons Terrell Creek Farm Urban Roots Farm Yang Family Farm Williams Creek Winery Mother's Brewery

An equal opportunity/ADA institution

Total Cash Raised: $27,662 * Total In-Kind Raised: $11,576

Greene County “Reaching Out” Report

Last Updated February 23, 2014

Extension/Partner Meetings st

rd

County Commission meetings: 1 and 3 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.

Master Gardeners of Greene County— board meeting: First Monday of each month at 4:00 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.

Corporate Sponsors      

Sanford and Associates, CPA, Springfield, Mo.: (417) 886-2220, Master Gardeners of Greene County: http://www.mggreene.org Meyer Communications, KWTO 560 AM / KTXR 101.3 FM: (417) 862-3751, American Business Systems, Springfield, Mo.: (417) 866-5083, www.ambussys.com Sunshine Valley Farm, 8125 E State Highway AD, Rogersville, ph (417) 753-2698 Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Ph 417-864-1049, www.parkboard.org

Can I Help?

Lorri can help customers with material needs, soil tests or program registrations. Contact her at the Greene County Extension Center, (417) 881-8909.

Lorri Winters joined Extension in 2005.

Lorri Winters Office Manager

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.

Videos on YouTube Learn more about MU Extension programs by watching the videos posted to our channel at www.youtube.com/MUExtension417.

On Facebook Become a fan of MUExtension417 and 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 and Greene County Commission. For more about this report contact the editor, David Burton, at (417) 881-8909.

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