October 2014

“Reaching Out Report” the Greene County Extension Newsletter

2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo. 65807

Email: [email protected] * Tel: (417) 881-8909

October 2014 * Vol. 7, Issue 10

Upcoming events …

page 2

David Burton …

page 3-4

Century Farms …

page 6-7

Ag Report …

pages 8

Patrick Byers …

pages 9-10

Master Naturalists …

page 10

Kelly McGowan…

page 11

Master Gardeners …

page 11

Pam Duitsman…

page 12-15

4-H Report …

pages 16

Jeff Barber …

page 17

Nutrition program…

page 18

Friends & Sponsors…

page 23-24

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.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

IdeaNode in Rountree Neighborhood Drury University students Jessica Caudill, Eric Foster and Paula

Vives are using an “IdeaNode” to collect ideas for a project in

the Rountree Neighborhood. MU Extension specialist Jeff Bar-

ber is helping to guide their work. Learn more about Barber’s

work with this group on page 18.

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.

Sponsors Needed for 91st Greene

County Soils and Crops Conference Could your company be one of the sponsors of

this year’s 91st Annual Greene County Soils and

Crops Conference? The event will be held in early

March (exact date and location are not set yet).

Sponsors help cover expenses for the confer-

ence including promotions, food and travel for

speakers. Checks need to be made out to MU Ex-

tension - Greene County with "Soils and Crops" in

the memo portion of the check.

Tim Schnakenberg, agronomy specialist with

MU Extension, is coordinating the conference

again and is in the process of lining up speakers on

this year’s relevant topics.

Nutrition Classes at Farmers

Market of the Ozarks MU Extension nutrition specialists are teach-

ing classes at Farmer’s Market of the Ozarks. Lo-

cal produce is being used in these weekly classes.

Extension Recipes, Seasonal and Simple phone

Apps, nutrition education handouts, and free give-

aways were offered.

Upcoming classes:

11/15/14 Holiday Cooking Class

Healthy Holidays; Mashed Cauliflower and Pota-

toes, Light Pumpkin pie cooking demonstra-

tions, samples and recipe cards.

For regular updates and more information

visit the Springfield Food Day Celebration blog:

http://www.fooddaycelebration.org/blog/

Tomato Grafting Workshop in

Springfield Nov. 14 University of Missouri Extension will of-

fer a popular workshop on tomato grafting

from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14 at the

Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center,

2400 S. Scenic, Springfield, Mo.

Grafting vegetables to manage soilborne

disease is a simple process. Patrick Byers, horticulture specialist with

University of Missouri Extension, will teach this

class along with David Middleton, a farm out-

reach specialist with the Innovative Small Farm

Outreach Program at Lincoln University.

Attendees can practice tomato grafting techniques

during the hands-on portion of the class. The in-

structors will provide all supplies and rootstocks

and scions for the class.

Others topics covered as part of this class in-

clude selecting rootstocks, growing rootstocks

and scions, the grafting process, postoperative

healing and tomato production using grafting

plants.

The enrollment deadline is Nov. 14. The class

size is limited due to materials and costs $10 per

person. Register by contacting the Greene County

Extension Office at (417) 881-8909 or download-

ing the enrollment online at http://

extension.missouri.edu/greene.

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 October 26, 2014

www.botanicalcenter.org

http://www.ws.missouristate.edu/sbdc

http://www.fooddaycelebration.org/blog/

http://www.botanicalcenter.org

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu Page 3


Civic Communication Specialist and County Program Director

SOCIAL MEDIA

REACH (Sept. 2014):

Individuals engaged

this month on the vari-

ous MU Extension

Facebook pages:

21,342.

Added 11 videos to

YouTube this month.

Our MUExteision417

channel continues to

get over 100,000 vid-

eo views a year.

Researching various online tools for contact

management for Expert Source Program.

BY THE NUMBERS (for the month)

News Service Subscribers: 9,887 weekly

Requests for advisement: 21

Regular weekly news columns: 22

TV/Radio Interviews – 2

Total articles written this month – 42

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.

David Burton Civic communication

[email protected]

Statewide Media Relations Class Presented “Get the Word Out with Media Rela-

tions 101” at the Missouri Preservation Conference

this month. I had 55 people in attendance and pro-

gram feedback indicated 92 percent of the class

learned new and useful information. Based on pre-

and post-program surveys, 98 percent of the class

also increased their knowledge about MU Exten-

sion and the programs we offer statewide.

Comments from class participants were very

positive: “Presenter was prepared,” “I have a new

appreciation for what journalists do,” “Very helpful

program” and “I’m going to make it a point to get

to know the editor of my hometown weekly news-

paper much better.”

Participants were asked to write a letter that

will be sent back to them in three months listing

things they plan to do as a result of this class. Here

are a few of the comments made by participants:

Research and learn AP style.

Make sure I meet timelines/deadlines.

Do media release for preservation commission

Make myself available and be easy to contact.

Write at least one press release and send it to

our local newspaper about an event, etc.

Use the resources you provided.

Program to Preservationists on

Historic Schools in Missouri I presented “Saving the Historic Schools of

Missouri” at the Missouri Preservation Confer-

ence. I had 35 people in attendance and program

feedback indicated 100 percent of the class

learned new and useful information. Based on

post-program surveys, 100 percent of the class

also increased their knowledge about MU Exten-

sion and the programs we offer statewide.

Three volunteers who are members of the

Missouri Historic Schools Alliance (MHSA)

helped present this program. Each one is in a var-

ious stage of renovation on a historic school. The

presentation is available on the Greene County

Extension website in the MHSA resources.

Comments from class participants: “I had

no idea there were any one-room schools left in

Missouri, much less hundreds of them,” “This is

an effort worth our statewide attention and in-

volvement,” “The presenter was prepared and I

enjoyed hearing from volunteers who have taken

on big restorations efforts themselves,” and “This

makes me want to go out and find an old school

that is being used for storage and restore it!”

David Burton’s focus of work: Community and civic engagement through communication and media relations

training and practice, leading and moderating focus groups, local revenue generation to support programs in

Greene County, non-profit education and support, social media in support of disaster recovery and response, mar-

keting extension, and heritage tourism with an emphasis on restoring historic schools as rural community centers.

As county program director David works with the elected council to operate, fund and administer the local office.

http://www.youtube.com/MUExtension417




Survival of Greene County

Extension Subject of

Presentation at Nonprofit

Communication

Conference in Springfield

At the request of

some council members,

David Burton submitted a

proposal this summer to

present about Greene

County Extension at the

2014 Nonprofit Commu-

nication Conference held

Oct. 16 at Drury Univer-

sity.

Lisa Bakerink,

George Deatz , Harold

Bender and David Burton

co-presented. As a panel

they shared how Greene

County Extension has

been able to survive after

a budget cut forced an

organization with a lean

staff and budget to get

even leaner.

This presentation in-

cluded an overview of

key elements every non-

profit can use to improve.

Panelists then discussed

key efforts that helped to

save this organization.

A copy of the power

point presentation that

was used can be found

under the “budget con-

cerns” link on the left side

of the Greene County Ex-

tension website found

online at http://

extension.missouri.edu/

greene.

Program attendees responded …

As a result of this program, I am

going to do the following: Appreciate and recognize donors & volunteers.

Not put all my eggs in one basket.

Never stop looking for a better way.

Tell the story.

Find ways to collaborate.

Evaluate our program, as a board, using the 10

reasons businesses fail.

Write a business plan.

Get our newsletter to be digital.

Develop better relationships with providers.

Cultivate a less “stale” marketing message.

Remember “hope” is not a strategy.

Determine how to keep memberships and give

members the best benefits.

Key take-away points in presentation: Hope is not a strategy.

Don’t put organization’s mission at risk by fo-

cusing only on fundraising; maintain a reserve.

Margin is necessary to meet the mission.

No organization is too big, too old or two im-

portant to fail.

Financial stress causes employees and volun-

teers to expend a great deal of emotional capital.

Do not underestimate that cost.

Never let your organization become dependent

on just one major donor or customer.

Pay attention to the 10 reasons organizations fail

and make sure you are addressing these areas:

failed leadership, run out of money, overconfi-

dence, poor strategy, disagreeing people, burn-

out, stale marketing message, overreliance on

one customer, disgruntled employees, and fail-

ure to embrace the digital revolution.

“I just wanted to say how much I

enjoyed this presentation. It was

informative and appreciated. I’ll

be rooting for you in the future.”

— Program participant

Harold Bender

Lisa Bakerink

George Deatz

http://extension.missouri.edu/greene






Springfield, Mo. 65807.

The draft publication will continue to be

updated for a year or two. The authors want-

ed to allow individual owners and organiza-

tions time to submit information and photos

for use in the final publication. Burton says

the goal is to have a final directory available

on Amazon.com by 2016.

“We want readers and organizations that

download this publication to use it as a way

to promote historical tourism in the state and

to build our network for school historians

and enthusiasts,” said Burton. “The first edi-

tion of this directory which is designed to

showcase the very best historic schools in

Missouri that are restored or otherwise acces-

sible by the public.”

The directory has the

historic schools orga-

nized by region. At this

point, the “Southwest

region” includes the

most listings

Interest in one-room

schools has been on the

rise nationally since the

late 1990s.

Saving of one-room

schools in Missouri was

a featured topic at last

week’s Missouri Preser-

vation Conference in

Excelsior Springs, Mo.

A copy of the presenta-

tion given at the confer-

ence entitled, "Saving

Historic Schools in Mis-

souri" is available

online. This presentation gives an overview

of efforts and then offers three case-studies

from around the state of one-room schools

that were restored in recent years and can be

found online at http://extension.missouri.edu/

greene/bookandvid.aspx.

First Edition of “Missouri

Directory of Historic and

One-Room Schools” Now

Available for Purchase

A publication entitled, "Missouri Directory

of Historic and One-Room Schools" has been

published online by Greene County Extension

as part of the extension community develop-

ment program known as the Missouri Historic

Schools Alliance.

The first edition -- written by David Burton

of University of Missouri Extension and Jen-

nifer Kervian of Joplin who was an MU Exten-

sion intern -- includes

details and photos on

over 50 historic schools

in Missouri. Most of the

listed schools have two

pages of information and

photos in the directory.

“The idea is to create

a ‘Who’s Who’ directory

of historic schools in the

state,” said David Bur-

ton, civic communica-

tion specialist with Uni-

versity of Missouri Ex-

tension. “The goal is for

this directory to high-

light in word and pic-

tures the very best his-

toric schools in Mis-

souri. The first edition or

two will be available for

purchase and download online to allow time to

add other schools and build interest in the final

printed directory.”

Individuals can download the publication

for $7.99 at http://bit.ly/MoHistoricSchools or

order a printed draft copy by mail for $12 from

Greene County Extension, 2400 S. Scenic,

http://extension.missouri.edu/greene/bookandvid.aspx

http://extension.missouri.edu/greene/bookandvid.aspx

http://bit.ly/MoHistoricSchools

Over 100 Attend “Salute to

Century Farms” and Help

Raise $3,500 for Greene

County Extension

About 135 people purchased tickets, and

108 attended, the “Salute to Century Farms”

event held Sept. 30 at the Round Barn Event

Center along Clear Creek between Ash Grove

and Willard.

Due to event sponsorships and the sale of

nearly $1,500 worth of locally handcrafted

items in a silent auction, the event raised

$3,500 for the continued operations of Greene

County Extension.

“It was a great night of fun with great at-

tendance. Members of the Greene County Ex-

tension Council appreciate the generosity of

our sponsors and those who donated items for

auction,” said George Deatz, chairman of the

Greene County Extension Council. “These

funds are so important for our continued oper-

ation and the fact that everyone had fun made

the event even better.”

The following family farms were honored

as Century Farms during the event: Charles

and Katherine Buckner of Fair Grove; Robert

and Mary Mays of Ash Grove; John and Doris

Breakbill of Republic; and Warren D. Hardy

Jr. of Rogersville.

Acoustic Essays provided traditional blue-

grass and classic country music during the

event.

David Baker, assistant dean of agriculture

extension at the University of Missouri, dis-

cussed the 100 year history of Cooperative Ex-

tension and the challenges facing family

farms. A copy of Baker’s presentation can be

found online at http://extension.missouri.edu/

greene.

This first annual event was made possible

by our media sponsors: News-Leader; Ozarks



Agriculture: Century Farms





Agriculture: Century Farms

Farm and Neighbor

Newspaper; KOLR/

KOZL; Our Gold

Level sponsor the

Greene County Soil

and Water Conser-

vation District; and

our silver level

sponsors Old Mis-

souri Bank and Cox

Health Systems; and

our bronze level

sponsors: Race

Brothers Farm Sup-

ply, Main Street

Feeds and Fire & Ice

Restaurant & Bar.

Top picture is four gen-

erations of the Buckner

family, the 2014 Centu-

ry Farm in Greene

County. We also recog-

nized the 2013 farms

again. From left to right

they are: Mays, Break-

bill and Hardy.

Ash Grove Farmer Satisfied

with Advice on Hay Field

from MU Extension

Q: I have been using your advice on how to man-

age a brome/clover hay field of five acres near Ash

Grove in Greene County I have had a great year of

hay production. I think I will get one more cutting

in the next few weeks, While walking the field

recently I noticed a rust like substance on the

leaves of some brome plants. This is only in small

patches in the field and makes my boots and lower

paints legs orange. What I would like to know is

should I cut for hay this last time?

Land owner

Ash Grove Mo.

A: Rust happens on fescue and orchardgrass and

brome at times. I would think twice about cutting

a last cutting in October. I’m convinced that we

should treat brome, orchardgrass, timothy like al-

falfa and target a last cutting in mid-late Sept., then

allow a rest prior to first frost, especially for a

young stand. This will strengthen the stand going

into winter. If you take a cutting, do it immediate-

ly. If there is not enough regrowth now from the

last cutting, it may not be worth it. A few years

ago I cut half my orchardgrass in October, and lost

the side I cut by next spring. The other side is still

going strong. Not having a cover for insulation

through the cold winter may have been part or

most of the reason. Rust may be a normal thing on

brome since it’s been a while since it was cut. I

doubt it will be detrimental to the stand.

Tim Schnakenberg

Agronomy specialist

MU Extension

RESPONSE: “You haven't steered me wrong yet

so I think I'll hold off on this last cutting. Neigh-

bors will be disappointed, they like the hay this

stand has produced and comment that they haven't

seen a field of brome/clover this nice in years. My

reply is talk to your extension office.”

Land owner

Ash Grove Mo.



Agriculture

84th

Performance Tested

Bull Sale and EPD program

held Oct. 27 at Springfield

Livestock Market

The 84th Performance Tested Bull Sale spon-

sored by the Southwest Missouri Beef Cattle Im-

provement Association begins at 7 p.m., Oct. 27

at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center on

I-44 just west of Springfield.

Persons who would like to learn more about

using expected progeny difference (EPD) in bull

selection can attend a 30-minute program at the

bull sale starting at 5:30 p.m. University of Mis-

souri Extension livestock specialist will use the

session to answer questions about EPDs and ex-

plain the use of EPDs in bull buying.

This actual sale will have 39 Angus and 3

Polled Herefords consigned according to Eldon

Cole, livestock specialist with MU Extension.

“The association has increased the qualifica-

tions for entry into the sale which means the bulls

should be better than in past sales,” said Cole.

Qualifying bulls must be above the breed av-

erage for three of five expected progeny differ-

ence (EPD) traits. The traits include calving ease

direct, weaning weight, yearling weight, milk and

intramuscular fat. In past sales, bulls only had to

be above the 50th percentile or average EPD for

two of those five traits.

See the Southwest Region News Service on

Oct. 31 for details on the outcome of this sale.



Horticulture Specialist

Master Gardeners of

Greene County Hot-

line Development

meeting, Springfield

(coordinated by

Kelly McGowan)

(10/20/14)

Springfield Plateau

Master Naturalist

chapter meeting,

Springfield

(10/20/14)

Horticulture soil test

reports - recommen-

dations and distribution for SW region – 52

reports during reporting period

Participated in:

Dedication of high tunnel, Texas County

Jail, Houston (9.29.14)

Looking Back, Going Forward; Celebrating

30 years of the Master Gardeners of Greene

County, Springfield (10/3/14)

Master Gardeners of Greene County board

meeting, Springfield (10/6/14)

Springfield Plateau Master Naturalists board


Master Gardeners of Greene County chapter


Greene County Soil and Water Conservation

District board meeting, Springfield

(10/14/14)

MSU Food Hub Feasibility Study planning

group meeting, Mountain Grove (10.14.14)

2014 Borlaug Dialogue and Global Youth

Institute, Des Moines, IA (10/15-10/19/14)

Master Gardeners of Greene County Hotline

Development meeting, Springfield

(10/20/14)

Springfield Plateau Master Naturalist chapter


Annual Extension Conference, Columbia

(10/21-10/23/14)

Community Contact:

TV and Radio

4 live interviews with KOLR10’s Lindsey Day

(1 delivered by Kelly McGowan, 1 delivered

by volunteer Terry Newport)

4 radio interviews with Morris Westfall’s

“Farm Page of the Air”

1 live interview with Art Corum of radio sta-

tion KKOZ in Ava, MO (10/14/14)

Print media

Contributed to several articles and interviews

Requests for information

Telephone contacts – 24 for advisement

Email contacts – 9 contacts

Office visits, professional contacts – 1 for con-

sultation and advisement

Farm site visits – 11 for consultation and ad-

visement

Programs Presented:

“Bulbs for Fall Planting,” Master Gardeners of

the Ozarks Fall Gardening Seminar, Kimber-

ling City (9/27/14)

“Fireblight,” MSU Plant Pathology guest lec-

ture, Springfield (9/30/14)

“Urban Water Use,” Organic Gardening Acad-

emy, Springfield (9/30/14)

“Saving Seeds,” Newton County Master Gar-

deners, Neosho (10/7/14)

“Horticulture Programming Opportunities,”

Douglas County Commission, Ava (10/9/14)

“Pollination Issues for Beekeepers,” Wright

County Beekeepers Association, Hartville

(10/9/14)

“Plant Propagation,” Master Gardener core

trainings, MG of the Ozarks and Christian

County MG, Hollister and Ozark (10/20/14)

“How to Effectively Participate in eXtension”

panel, MU Extension Annual Conference, Co-

lumbia (10.23.14)

Coordinated:

Master Gardeners of Greene County board


Springfield Plateau Master Naturalists board


Master Gardeners of Greene County chapter


Patrick Byers Horticulture

[email protected]



Master Gardeners / Master Naturalists

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/

Upcoming programming and events

2014 NCCC-212 Small Fruit and Grape Research

Meeting, Corvallis, OR (10/28-10/30/14)

2014 SW Regional Envirothon (oral judge), Spring-

field, MO (11/5/14)

“Home Fruit Production,” Garden Adventures Nursery

(11/8/14)

Midwest Winter Vegetable Production Conference,

Joplin (11/10-11/11/14)

Tomato Grafting Workshop, Springfield (11/14/14)

Metropolitan Food Systems team meeting, Columbia

(11/17/14)

MU Extension thematic teams quarterly meeting, Han-

nibal (11/19-11/21/14)

“Home Fruit Production,” Master Gardener core train-

ings, MG of the Ozarks and Christian County MG,

Hollister and Ozark (11/24/14)

Elliott and Byers Honored at Extension Annual Conference

Dr. Anson Elliott, head of the Missouri State

University School of Agriculture, was honored

recently with the Agriculture Leadership Award,

an annual honor presented by MAEP, the profes-

sional organization for University of Missouri

Extension agriculture specialists, to those who

have made significant contributions to Missouri

agriculture and University of Missouri Extension

programming. The award was presented at the

2014 annual MAEP meeting in Columbia, dur-

ing the Annual Extension Conference.

Also honored at the MAEP meeting was Pat-

rick Byers, who was excited to receive the

Achievement Award, which recognizes out-

standing programming for faculty with less than

10 years of service to University of Missouri

Extension.

A comment on a Facebook post for the Loving Lavender Class taught as part of the

“Learn to Grow in the Garden" series taught by Master Gardeners of Greene County.

"I love the Master Gardener Courses as they have useful information. I like how

we are able to use resources beyond what we can get any other place. -- Rita Meyer, July 18, 2014

Dr. Anson Elliott of Missouri State University re-

ceives the Agriculture Leadership Award from

Tim Schnakenberg and Patrick Byers of MAEP.

http://www.springfieldmasternaturalist.com/

http://springfieldmn.blogspot.com/



Master Gardeners of Greene County

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 commu-

nity gardens, conducting workshops, participating

in a Master Gardener speakers’ bureau and staffing

the Master Gardener “Hotline.” The Master Gar-

deners of Greene County can boast of over 300

members. For more information visit the chapters

website at http://www.mggreene.org.

Upcoming

Events:

October 11:

Monthly Chapter

meeting 6-8 pm

New Master Gar-

dener Training:

If you or anyone you

know would like to

become a Master

Gardener, our new

training class will begin in mid-February.

Contact the Greene County Extension office

at 417-881-8909 or email mcgow-

[email protected] for more information.

Kelly McGowan Horticulture Educator

University of Missouri

Extension

[email protected]

Emeritus Brunch On Oct. 15, Master Gardeners of Greene

County held it’s first Emeritus Brunch.

This was an event to honor members who

had 10 or more years of service. Mem-

bers brought in old photos, stories from

the past,

and caught

up with old

friends. A

good time

was had by

all who

attended

and plans

are being

made to

make this

an annual

event.

30 Year Anniversary and

Celebration

The Oct. 3 event celebrating the 30th An-

niversary of Master Gardeners of Greene

County was a success. It was an evening

of great food, great music, great fellow-

ship, and a great speaker. Thanks to all

who planned and attended this event.

http://www.mggreene.org



Nutrition and Health Specialist

proved the emotional

distress (i.e., depres-

sion, etc.) caused by

their chronic condition.

Food Day 2014 Please

see the Food Day info-

graph in this publica-

tion for more infor-

mation on activities

that were a part of this

effort. The celebration

of Food Day 2014 was

Oct. 24 with events

held around Springfield.

Ozark Regional Food Policy Council:

Greene County MU Extension continues to

assist in planning and implementation of work

from the 20-county community food assess-

ment that was recently completed. This forum

includes over 50 Greene County organizations

working to address and provide solutions for

building our local food system. The picture

below is a presentation in October on research

being conducted into the feasibility of Food

Hubs for the

SW Region of

Missouri. More

information on

this topic can be

found in the

article (in this

publication)

entitled: MU

Extension Helping Build Local Infrastructure

to Support Local Food

Additional work and outcomes for Greene

County in October:

Local Food Access Webinars — 2

Food Hub planning meetings — 3

Local food cooking classes — 1

Individual consultation — 14

Voices for Food Project

This project is focused on

improving Food Insecuri-

ty in counties in South-

west Missouri. Work this

month included meeting

face-to-face with food

pantry workers, and conducting face-to-face

surveys with Food Pantry Participants. Over

250 surveys have been conducted of SW

Missouri food pantry participants through

this project. This data will be very valuable

in understanding the food insecurity issues

that SW Missouri is facing. Pam is the Co-

ordinator for Missouri for this six-state, fed-

erally funded research project.

Chronic Disease Self-Management: Six

classes of this six-week series were held dur-

ing October, with 84 total participants. Par-

ticipant surveys for the classes this month

included the following quotes: This class

was amazing. It has helped me so much. I

intend to use tools learned daily. Thank

you!; The material and charts and info you

provided were easy to understand and en-

couraging to want to follow. Great Job!;

This class has made me feel better. Things

are going to be better in my old age. 100%

of those who participated in this course indi-

cated that the course: made them more confi-

dent in their ability to take care of their

chronic condition; led them to change some-

thing (action or knowledge) based on what

they learned or experienced. 92% indicated

that participation in the class has: improved

their ability to deal with problems caused by

their chronic condition; and increased their

independence and ability to carry-out routine

daily activities. 83% of participants reported

participation in the course: improved the

physical symptoms (i.e., pain, stiffness, etc.)

caused by their chronic condition; and im-

Pam Duitsman Nutrition specialist

[email protected]






logistics are overwhelming,” said Duitsman.

According to Duitsman, these large com-

mercial markets must require non-negotiable

standards. These standards ensure things like:

proof of Food Safety and Good Agricultural

practices (GAP) training; liability insurance;

source verification; appropriate aggregation;

processing (trimming, cutting, freezing) and

reliable distribution.

These are business practices that ensure a

safe and reliable source for their end users.

Consequently, many establishments would

prefer to conduct business with an inclusive

food service wholesaler of sorts.

Through recent Community Food System

Assessment work, we recognized that produc-

ers face recurring logistical, marketing and

business challenges. These challenges hinder

them from taking greater

advantage of the demand

for locally grown food in

larger volume markets.

This gap between pro-

ducers and large markets

can be daunting for a

community food system

to overcome,” said

Duitsman.

Duitsman says the

solutions need to be de-

veloped locally through dialogue, education,

and engagement of key stakeholders.

University of Missouri Extension conduct-

ed informal surveys in southwest Missouri to

identify the top hindrances that larger markets

listed as obstacles to their purchase of local

healthy food. The top five were: lack of availa-

bility of partially processed local foods to con-

trol labor costs; consistent delivery and distri-

bution; grower certification and food handling

knowledge; consistent and stackable packag-

ing; and liability insurance requirements.

“Respondents overwhelmingly said com-

pliance with these needed standards is essen-

Greene County and MU

Extension Helping Build

Local Infrastructure to

Support Local Food

The demand for locally grown food con-

tinues to increase and that is creating signifi-

cant new market opportunities for farmers

and ranchers.

“There are an abundance of farmers mar-

kets and retailers carrying local products.

That is a healthy indicator of consumer de-

mand and the promise of market sustainabil-

ity for producers,” said Dr. Pam Duitsman, a

nutrition and health specialist with Universi-

ty of Missouri Exten-

sion.

However, much of

the consumer-direct mar-

ket remains relatively

small. Producers are of-

ten less certain about

how to supply larger in-

stitutional and retail

markets which are also

demanding more local

food to fulfill customer

demands.

“Many diners expect restaurants to in-

clude a selection of dishes based on locally

grown products. Consumer preference for

locally sourced foods has been a top domi-

nant menu trend impacting the restaurant in-

dustry for several years,” said Duitsman.

Restaurants, grocery stores and other in-

stitutions like hotels, hospitals, schools, and

corporate cafeterias, have a great interest in

sourcing their food products locally.

“Most commercial establishments do not

have the capacity or time to deal with a mul-

titude of local farmers and suppliers. The

University of Missouri

Extension conducted informal

surveys in southwest Missouri

to identify the top hindrances

that larger markets listed as

obstacles to their purchase of

local healthy food.




packaging and processing, and expertise to

comply with State and Federal food safety and

handling regulations.

“Successful local food networks or food

hubs rely on relationships, knowledge, innova-

tion and connections that are needed to grow

and meet the needs of the community-based

food system. By maintaining a relationship

with multiple producers, a food hub can

lengthen the season for fresh, locally grown

food products,” said Duitsman.

Research shows food hubs can expand the

reach of small, local farmers and drive eco-

nomic growth in the process.

The USDA has significant

evidence showing food hubs

build a stronger infrastruc-

ture for small and mid-size

producers, and help create

strong community food sys-

tems.

Work is underway in

Greene and surround-

ing counties to estab-

lish the necessary net-

works. “The network sets the stage for a sustaina-

ble and highly functioning food network, and

to assist in increasing the stability and sustain-

ability of locally-sourced food production,”

said Duitsman.

For more information, contact Dr. Pam

Duitsman, in Greene County at (417) 881-

8909 or by email at [email protected]..

tial. Yet they struggle to find producers who

can match these standards in a consistent

manner with sufficient volume,” said

Duitsman.

The challenges in southwest Missouri are

not unique. Communities across the U.S. are

seeing a greater demand for local and fresh

food. Those communities are in need of in-

novative programs to help farmers success-

fully bring their products to larger markets

and supply demand on the institutional side.

“One promising solution is the creation

of food hubs. These can be a link to connect

food from the farm or

ranch to buyers such as

retail, restaurant, and in-

stitutional customers; as

well as individual con-

sumers,” said Duitsman.

Food hubs can make

economic sense as farm-

ers, distributors, retailers,

and food processors coor-

dinate their actions for

mutual economic benefit,

which then benefits the

consumer. The burden of marketing is re-

duced by connecting sustainable consumers

with producers. This connection can help to

stabilize prices and support sustainable in-

come for farmers through purchasing ar-

rangements.

Additionally, producers are connected to

all sorts of business-related and logistical

services like aggregation, distribution, food

“One promising solution is

the creation of food hubs.

These can be a link to con-

nect food from the farm or

ranch to buyers such as re-

tail, restaurant, and institu-

tional customers; as well as

individual consumers.”

— Dr. Pam Duitsman.



4-H Report for Greene County

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 mak-

ing, communication, social interaction, civic

responsibility and physical skills. Children do

not have to live on a farm to join 4-H. Pro-

ject opportunities include computers, robotics,

foods and nutrition, horticulture, large and

small animals and more. Missouri 4-H is Uni-

versity of Missouri Extension's youth develop-

ment program. Learn more online.

Contact 4-H Youth Development Specialist Karla Deaver at the Lawrence County Extension office

by telephone at 417/466-3102 or by email at [email protected].

Open Enrollment for 4-H in

Missouri Underway and Can be

Done Online for the First Time

Open enrollment for 4-H clubs in Missouri is un-

derway now and runs from Oct. 15

to Dec. 31, 2014. For the first time

in Missouri, enrollment is being

done online at http://

extension.missouri.edu/4h/.

As the largest out-of-school

youth organization in the world, 4-

H is open to all boys and girls, ag-

es 5 to18. Children who are five to

seven years old (by Dec. 2014) are

eligible for 4-H Clover Kids, an

introductory program.

Youth who are 8 to 18 years of age (by Dec. 31,

2014) can select from a variety of 4-H projects and ac-

tivities. Most of the options stress social and life skills

in areas like decision making, communication, social

interaction, civic responsibility and physical skills.

“You do not have to live on a farm to join 4-H,”

said Monica Spittler, a 4-H youth development special-

ist in Taney County with University of Missouri Exten-

sion.

Project opportunities include computers, robotics,

foods and nutrition, horticulture, large and small ani-

mals and much more.

“Agriculture continues to be a strong project area

for 4-H members in some communities with many of

the top 4-H projects being in the livestock areas, like

beef, market goats and poultry,” said Jeremy Elliott-

Engel, a 4-H youth development specialist with MU

Extension headquartered in Newton County.

Research shows the positive impact that involve-

ment in 4-H can have on a youth.

“We know that active youth enrolled in 4-H are

more likely to go to and successfully complete college

education, and, are more likely to return and contribute

positively to their home communities,” said Karla

Deaver, a 4-H youth development specialist with MU

Extension in Lawrence and Greene counties.

Missouri 4-H is University of Missouri Extension's

youth development program. The 4-H pro-

gram helps to create opportunities for young

people to be valued, contributing members

of their community. To learn how to get in-

volved locally go to http://

mo4h.missouri.edu.

Residents of southwest Missouri can

contact any of these 4-H youth development

specialists: Karla Deaver in Lawrence Coun-

ty at (417) 466-3102; Bob McNary in Jasper

County at (417) 358-2158; Jeremy Elliott-

Engel in Newton County at (417) 455-9500;

Taylor Bryant in Howell County at (417)

256-2391; or Janice Emery in Texas County

at (417) 967-4545.

Karla Deaver

http://www.extension.missouri.edu/greene/4h.aspx

http://extension.missouri.edu/4h/

http://extension.missouri.edu/4h/

http://mo4h.missouri.edu/

http://mo4h.missouri.edu/



Housing and Environmental Design Specialist

one-mile radius of the

square. The hope be-

hind the project is to

identify how the neigh-

borhood can host stu-

dent housing, duplexes

and single-family hous-

ing all in one urban set-

ting.

Barber said there

are three other groups

working with additional

city center neighbor-

hoods.

“If we can use the “Idea-Nodes” to get

some attention and draw some ideas ... then

we can lure people into participating more

fully into our meetings,” Barber said.

The “IdeaNodes” will be up through-

out the week and the group’s next meeting

is from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 13 at Hammons

School of Architecture.

Jeff Barber Housing and design

[email protected]

Students Create Unique

Way to Get Feedback

By Christine Temple

Springfield News-Leader 10/22/14

No one could resist writing ideas on an

eight-foot chalkboard, right?

At least that’s the hope of a group of

fourth-year architecture students from Drury

University.

Students Jessica Caudill, Eric Foster and

Paula Vives are creating a 25-year visioning

tool kit to produce and promote new housing

types in Springfield’s city center this semester

for a class at Drury. Caudill, Foster and Vives

are focusing on the Rountree Neighborhood

near Missouri State University.

They were not getting good feedback

from community meetings, so they created

“IdeaNodes.” These are structures made of

three, four-by-eight-foot chalkboard panels

that say, “Over the next 20 years, this

space should...” Two “IdeaNodes” were

put up Monday night, one on National

Avenue near The Potter’s House and the

other on McCann Avenue south of Har-

rison Street.

Many answers were given to the

question posed on the board, including:

“Get a cafe/ coffee shop,” “Have more

green space,” “Remain spacey,” “Have a

park,” “Be more pedestrian friendly,”

“Be safer for those who ride bikes,”

“Have porch swings” and “Have a com-

munity garden.”

Jeff Barber, MU Extension housing

specialist, is working with the students

on the project. He said “IdeaNodes” are

only a tool to get feedback for the larger

goal, which is to promote diversity in

housing development in Springfield’s

city center, the neighborhoods within a

The Rountree Community Studio Group at Drury

University created an “IdeaNode” to gather input

from neighbors.

Becky Roark Completed one session with

Sherwood, Holland and Bingham

3rd and 4th graders and then begin a

one with Willard North and Fair

Grove 3rd and 4th graders. These

lessons deal with learning about nu-

trients, reading nutrition facts labels

and making healthy choices.

Here are some statements that students wrote

me in thank you notes at the end of our lessons:

“Since you’ve been … teaching us ... I want

to eat more healthy foods!”

“I feel good now that I am eating more

healthy foods.”

“I am now a lover of healthy foods not some-

one who says YUK!”

I taught 700 students in Greene County this

month and had 350 families at the Well of Life

Food Pantry and Central Assembly Food Pantry.

Sherri Hull Horace Mann Elementary – completed series

for 2nd, 3rd & 5th grades - 185 Students

Sequiota Elementary – completed series for

5th grade – 60 Students

Westport Elementary – began lessons for

3rd, 4th, and 5th grades – 217 Students

Bois D’ Arc Elementary – began series of

lessons for 4th & 5th grades – 101 Students

Sequiota Elementary – began series of les-

sons for 4th grade – 52 Students

Victory Mission Family Ministries Food

Pantry – Display and Discus-

sion about “Breakfast” with

181 Families

Marty Wood Willard WIC, “Eating Smart,

Being Active,” 23 adults

Willard Food Pantry display,

46 families

Pregnancy Care Center,

“Eating Smart, Being Active,”

18 adults

Crosslines Food Pantry, dis-

play, 1503 families



Wood

Family Nutrition Education Program

Roark

Edmondson DeFord Williams

Family Nutrition Education Program 2160 W. Chesterfield Blvd. Suite F200

Chesterfield Village, Springfield, Mo.

Tel: 417-886-2059 * http://missourifamilies.org

Fossett

Hull Nevatt

Southwest Mo. Indian Center, 18 families

Harter House-Strafford, display, 60 adults

People Helping People Food Pantry display --

25 families

Life House Crisis Maternity House, “Eating

Smart, Being Active,” six adults

Little Sunshine Preschool, “Let’s Read About

Healthy Eating,” 40 Children

I assisted with Food Power at Niangua Elemen-

tary School and Fordland Elementary School in

Webster County.

Jenni Nevatt

Nutrition classes at Carver Middle School in

Springfield, Mo.

http://missourifamilies.org

Total Contributed:

Cash = $32,918

2014 Contributors to “Friends of Greene County Extension”

Corporate Level Master Gardeners of

Greene County

Sanford, Lea &

Associates

Benefactor Level Richard & Janice

Bemarkt George Deatz

Patron Level Harold & Lee Ann

Bender William & Virginia Darr

Sharon De Rubis

Friends of the Garden Greene Co. Soil & Water

Conservation District

Ann Hall

Joe Jenkins James Mauldin

Michael & Jan Wooten

Sponsor Level Carl Allison Greater Ozarks Hosta

Society

Old Missouri Bank RDW Family &

Community Fund

Jim & Nancy Tucker

Contributor Level Harold Bengsch

Frank & Shirley

Bridges

Joyce Brown

David & Stacey Burton

Ramona Burton

Marla Calico

Cox Health

Galen & Pam

Duitsman

Dr. Greenthumb/Greg

Donation period runs from October 1, 2013 to Oct. 31, 2014

Peterson Family

Rusty Hathcock

Gaylen & Dedra Jones

Jack Kaiser

Darrell & Danette

Proctor

Ryan Lawn & Tree Jody & Barbara Norman

Randall & Linda Sheridan

Springfield Watergarden

Society

Gene Wallace

Friends Level Bank of Ash Grove

John & Lisa Bakerink

Glenn & Beverly Blake

Shelby Bradley

Campus, Inc.

Alice Counts

Bob Cirtin

Gale & Becky Edwards

Billie Sue Fuller

Mary Gallagher

James Garton

Paul & Della Goodwin

Ruth Grant

David & Linda Hall

Avis Holloway Richard & Yvonne Jarvis

Jeff Jones

Mary Sue Joplin

Main Street Feeds

MFA Agri Services

Pauline Marsh Steve & Marlu McElhany

Dellene Nelson

Race Brothers Farm &

Supply

Mike Sidebottom

Steve & Pam Squibb

Kathryn Steinhoff

Tina Stillwell

Ronald & Sue Carroll

Terry

Lee & Julie Viorel

David & Glenda Welde

Chris & Colette Wilbers

Nancy Williams

Associate Level Jodie Adams

Tony & Carolyn Ahart

Ted Anderson

Cindy Arrowood

Mr./Mrs. David Bailey

Robert & Jana Belk

Mardell Bontrager

Keith & Malia Bucher

Carr Stock Farms, LLC

Kim Chaffin

Steven Counts

Joseph Crim

Barbi Dickensheet

Don & Cassandra

Garoutte

Kathleen Goff

Douglas Green Fred & Elaine Hamburg

Harrison Farm

Dulcinea Fisher-Smith

Rob & Brenda

Funkhouser

Join Friends of Greene County

Extension Since 1914, Greene County residents have sought

help in agriculture, gardening, 4-H youth, nutri-

tion, families, business and community develop-

ment from Extension. Members of “Friends of

Greene County Extension” contribute financial-

ly 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.

William Hosman

Rita Johnson

Bob & Barbara Kipfer

John & Sharron Kluck

Karen McDonald

Dorothy Miller

Frieda Morris

Edie Nelson

Albert Niewald

Gladys O’Dell

Minuen Odom

Cathy & Alex Primm

Crystal Quade

H. James Roper

Frank Ruzicka

Rebecca Saylor

Carolyn Schirmer Second Wind Companies

Matthew Simpson

Patsy Spindler

Carol & Edgar Stephen-

son

Stewart Farm Elizabeth & Paul Taylor

Randy Underwood

Leslie Wilde



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.

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

Each “Reaching Out Report” is used by Greene

County Extension specialists to concisely communi-

cate 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 Bur-

ton, at (417) 881-8909.

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.

Corporate Sponsors Sanford, Lea and Associates, CPA, Spring-

field, 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/

American Business Systems, Springfield,

Mo.: (417) 866-5083, www.ambussys.com

Sunshine Valley Farm, 8125 E State High-

way 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 custom-

ers with material needs, soil

tests or program registrations.

Contact her at the Greene

County Extension Center,

(417) 881-8909 or email her at

[email protected]. Lorri

Winters joined Greene County

Extension in 2005.

Lorri Winters Office Manager

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 con-

firm location of meeting.

4-H Leader’s Council Meetings: 3rd Thurs-

day 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 Bat-

tlefield (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.

https://www.adifferentcpa.com/

http://www.mggreene.org/

http://www.radiospringfield.com/

http://www.ambussys.com

http://www.sunshinevalleyfarm.com/

http://www.parkboard.org

Documents

October 2014