august 2014

“Reaching Out Report” the Greene County Extension Newsletter

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

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

August 2014 * Vol. 7, Issue 8

Upcoming events …

page 2

Manure Show…

pages 3-4

Farm Family…

page 5

Century Farms …

page 6

4-H Report …

pages 7-9

Nutrition program…

page 10

David Burton …

page 11-12

Patrick Byers …

pages 13-14

Master Naturalists …

page 14

Master Gardeners …

page 15-16

Pam Duitsman…

page 17-18

2014 Friends list …

page 19

Sponsors & Partners

page 20

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.

Online Event Calendar The most up-to-date list of re-

ported upcoming MU Extension

programs in Greene County is

available online at

extension.missouri.edu/greene

Calendar is visible on right

side of page.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Kelley Added to Mo 4-H Hall of Fame

Fifty-four people joined the Missouri 4-H Hall of

Fame on Aug. 9 at the State Fair Community Col-

lege campus in Sedalia. Among those inducted in to

the 4-H Hall of Fame was Sherry Kelley of Republic

(Greene County). The 2014 inductees were from 41

counties bring with them a total of 1,566 years of volunteer ser-

vice to the hall of fame. More than 300 family members and

friends attended the eighth annual event for which citizens nomi-

nated 4-H’ers for outstanding volunteer work in local 4-H pro-

grams. Sherry is pictured above at left with Missouri 4-H Foun-

dation Executive Director Cheryl Reams.

http://extension.missouri.edu/greene

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.

Building Better Child Care Focus of

MU Extension’s “Mental Health First

Aid” Training in Springfield Sept. 6

University of Missouri Extension is offering a

“Mental Health First Aid” series of trainings for

child care providers of all types with programs on

Sept. 6, Sept. 27, Oct. 11 and Oct. 18. Once the

four sessions are completed, the child care provid-

er will become a certified mental health first aider.

All sessions will be presented by University of

Missouri Extension and will be held at the Spring-

field-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S.

Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo. The classes are

geared toward childcare providers, day care own-

ers, Head Start and foster parents as well as parents

and those interested in youth according to Dr. Jim

Wirth, human development specialist, University

of Missouri Extension. A registration fee of $15

will be charged for each workshop. To register,

contact the Greene County University of Missouri

Extension office at (417) 881-8909 or use the reg-

istration form that can be found online at http://

extension.missouri.edu/greene.

Lawn Care Professional

Workshop in Springfield Sept. 2

Join University of Missouri Extension turf and

horticulture specialists at a “Lawn Care Profes-

sional Workshop” to improve or perfect your lawn

care skills. The workshop will be held from 8 a.m.

to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 2 at the Springfield-

Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S. Scenic,

Springfield, Mo.

The workshop cost $35 per person and the

registration deadline for this program is Friday,

August 29. The registration form can be found

online at extension.missouri.edu/greene.

“The program was designed for lawn care pro-

fessionals but it would also be great for home

owners who want to improve their yard,” said Pat-

rick Byers, a University of Missouri Extension

horticulture specialist who works with commercial

lawn care managers to address turf issues.

Topics like soil testing, soil improvement,

minimizing lawn pests and insects, lawn renova-

tion, lawn diseases, lawn diagnosis and lawn

mowing, fertility, aeration and watering will be

covered.

Besides Byers, three other University of Mis-

souri Extension professionals will be instructors at

the workshop.

Dr. Lee Miller, a University of Missouri

turfgrass pathologist; Dr. Brad Fresenberg, state

turfgrass specialist with University of Missouri;

and Jill Scheidt, an agronomy specialist with Uni-

versity of Missouri Extension.

For more information about the program call

Patrick Byers at (417) 881-8909 or contact him by

email at [email protected]. Registration is

also possible in person at the Greene County Ex-

tension, 2400 S. Scenic Avenue, Springfield, MO

65807.

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 August 25, 2014

www.botanicalcenter.org

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

http://www.botanicalcenter.org

Online at http://extension.missouri.edu


Agriculture

MU Extension Hosts 2014 North American Manure

Expo; Event Draws Over 400 People to Springfield

“Valuing Ma-

nure and the Envi-

ronment” was the

theme of the 2014

North American

Manure Expo, which

came to the Ozark

Empire Fairgrounds

in Springfield on

July 8-9.

The two-day

event brought to-

gether over 70 ven-

dors from through-

out the United States

and Canada, along

with University Ex-

tension professionals

from Missouri, Ok-

lahoma, Arkansas,

Nebraska, Wiscon-

sin, Ohio and Penn-

sylvania. Those Ex-

tension professionals

educated farmers

and regulators from

Washington to Flori-

da, Vermont to Tex-

as, and the countries

of Canada, Germa-

ny, China, and Ar-

gentina.

The purpose of

the expo, which had

over 400 partici-

pants each day, was

to show how to ap-

ply manure more

efficiently as a fertilizer, while reducing negative effects on the environment. (See next page)

Tour participants get up close to a remote-controlled lagoon agitation

machine that can be driven into a manure storage lagoon, agitate it to

blend nutrients, and then be driven back out.

Several equipment manufacturers demonstrate their manure agitation

boats at the Chapman Dairy near Pierce City on July 8.



Agriculture

Hundreds of participants view side-by-side manure spreading

equipment demonstrations July 9 near the Springfield airport.

Above, an employee of the Springfield Wastewater Treat-

ment Plant explains the bacterial processes used to clean

the city wastewater and recover the nutrients to apply as

fertilizer back on agricultural fields.

On July 8, over 180 at-

tendees boarded buses to

tour Chapman Dairy near

Pierce City, Mo., and see

manure storage agitation

equipment in action. That

was followed by a walking

tour of the Southwest

Wastewater Treatment Plant

in Springfield to see how

city wastewater is cleaned up

and biosolids returned to the

land as valuable fertilizer

using precision field map-

ping.

On July 9, the focus

shifted to a wheat stubble

field near the Springfield air-

port to watch side-by-side

demonstrations of liquid and

solid manure injectors and

spreaders. It was then back

to the fairgrounds to see state

-of-the-art manure equip-

ment displays and hear ex-

perts on manure management

during an afternoon of edu-

cational seminars.

The event concluded

with talks and demonstra-

tions on manure gas safety

and manure spill prevention

and cleanup.

For more information,

see http://

www.agannex.com/manure-

manager/manure-expo, or

contact Bob Schultheis at

417-859-2044 or by email at

[email protected].

http://www.agannex.com/manure-manager/manure-expo



mailto:[email protected]



Agriculture

Millsap Family Represents Greene County at State Fair

The 56th Annual

Farm Family Day

was celebrated Mon-

day, Aug. 11 at the

Missouri State

Fair. Farm families

from nearly every

county in Missouri

were represented on

this special day

which culminated

with a dinner for the

families at the Direc-

tor’s Tent.

Local Farm Bu-

reau Boards and

County Extension

Councils selected a

family to receive the

honors prior to the

State Fair.

“These families

are involved in agri-

cultural activities in

their community, and

are active participants in local outreach and ex-

tension educational programs such as 4-H and

FFA,” said Missouri State Fair Director Mark

Wolfe. “As the showcase for Missouri agricul-

ture, the State Fair is most certainly the appro-

priate place to celebrate these families.”

Greene County: Adam and Mel Millsap

were selected as the 2014 Greene County Mis-

souri State Fair Farm Family by the Greene

County Extension Council and local Farm Bu-

reau. The Millsaps own Urban Roots Farm in

Springfield and they have two children: Béla

and Owen.

Farm Family Day is sponsored and support-

ed by Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Depart-

ment of Agriculture, Missouri State Fair, Uni-

versity of Missouri Extension and the Uni-

versity of Missouri College of Agriculture,

Food and Natural Resources.

These farm families are also being rec-

ognized this year in a new exhibit, Thank a

Farmer for the Harvest, which is on display

through Aug. 17 in front of the Fair's His-

toric Administration Building. The exhibit

includes several photographs of the 2014

farm families engaged in agricultural activi-

ties on their farms, and identifies production

areas on a large map of Missouri. The ex-

hibit was sponsored by University of Mis-

souri Extension, which is celebrating 100

years.

Greene County State Fair Farm Family 2014 Front row: Adam and Melissa Millsap, owners of Urban Roots Farm in

Springfield, Mo., and their children Béla and Owen. Back row: Michael

Ouart, Director, MU Extension; Mark Wolf, Director, Missouri State Fair;

Hanna Keene, 2014 Missouri State Fair Queen; Sherry Jones, Missouri State

Fair Commission; Lowell Mohler, Missouri State Fair Commission.



Agriculture

“Salute to Century Farms” Event and Auction Sept. 30

Local businesses and artisans have donated

Missouri products and services for a silent auc-

tion at the “Salute to Century Farms” being

held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept.

30 at the Round Barn Event Center along Clear

Creek, 10731 W. US Hwy 160, Walnut Grove.

All of the proceeds from the silent auction

will go to Greene County Extension. Individu-

als must be present to bid so

buy a ticket for the event today.

So far, council members have

gathered over $1,500 worth of

merchandise for the auction.

At the end of the “Salute to

Century Farms” the top bidder

could be taking home a great

Missouri item like a charcoal

drawing, a hand-crafted stained

glass work, a gift certificate at Five Pound Ap-

parel, local artisan jewelry, apple pies from

Sunshine Valley Farm or tickets for an on farm

dinner at From Table to Farm.

The Greene County Extension website

(http://extension.missouri.edu/

greene) has a full list of items

up for auction.

EVENT DETAILS

The event location is histor-

ically known as the Octagonal

Barn and is located 3.5 miles

east of Ash Grove on Hwy. 160

(northwest of Springfield). The

barn was built in 1880 and is

probably the earliest polygonal or round barn in

Missouri.

Farms in Greene County being recognized

as Century Farms at this event include Charles

and Katherine Buckner of Fair Grove (2014)

and the 2013 farms: Robert and Mary Mays of

Ash Grove; John and Doris Breakbill of Re-

public; and Warren D. Hardy Jr. of Rogers-

ville.

An hour of musical entertainment will

be provided by Acoustic Essays, a tradition-

al bluegrass and classic country band. A full

meal will be provided by Maggie Mae’s Ca-

tering from Miller. David Baker, assistant

dean of agriculture extension at the Univer-

sity of Missouri, will discuss

the 100 year history of Coop-

erative Extension and the

challenges facing family

farms in the coming 15-20

years.

SPONSORS & TIXS

This event is made possible

by our media sponsors: News

-Leader; Ozarks Farm and Neighbor News-

paper; KOLR/KOZL; Our Gold Level spon-

sor the Greene County Soil and Water Con-

servation District; and our silver level spon-

sors Old Missouri Bank and Cox Health

Systems; and our bronze

level sponsors: Race Broth-

ers Farm Supply, Main

Street Feeds and Fire & Ice

Restaurant & Bar.

Advance tickets are re-

quired and cost $25 per per-

son. Tickets can be pur-

chased at the Greene County

Extension office or with a

check or credit card using

various ticket options online at http://


Acoustic Essays

Round Barn Event Center



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].

4-H Families Have Day at the

Fair for Southwest Regional

4-H Achievement Day

One hundred 4-H members from eight south-

west Missouri counties competed at Southwest Re-

gional 4-H Achievement Day, held at Ozark Em-

pire Fair on July 28.

For the first time, the event was held at the

Ozark Empire Fair, and organizers say it was a

positive move according to Karla Deaver, 4-H

youth development specialist with University of

Missouri Extension.

“Our 4-H families were able to come to the

event, compete, and then spend some time taking

in all that Ozark Empire Fair has to offer,” said

Deaver. “We were fortunate to have great spon-

sors to assist with the event, which made the day

very affordable for our 4-H families. There were

about 250 4-H members and their families in at-

tendance.”

The only one of

its kind in the state,

Southwest Regional

Achievement Day

provides an oppor-

tunity for 4-H members from the area to compete

in events like public speaking, demonstrations,

fashion revue, member judging and personal devel-

opment. Members qualify for these events at the

county level and 4-H members also exhibit project

items at the county level.

Project exhibits that receive a blue ribbon at the

county level are judged and displayed throughout

Ozark Empire Fair in the 4-H building.

Sponsors for 2014 Southwest Regional

Achievement Day were Matthew Davidson, State

Farm Agent, Lamar, Ozark Empire Fair and Mis-

souri 4-H.

Southwest Regional

Achievement Day is the

only one of its kind in

the state.

Enrollment for 4-H in

Greene County Oct. 1

Open enrollment for 4-H clubs in

Greene County runs from Oct. 1 to Dec. 1,

2013. For the first time, enrollment is going

to be done online this year.

It is important to get enrolled this fall

since membership rates increase on Jan. 1,

2015. It is the first increase in 4-H member-

ship dues in 14 years.

As the largest out-of-school youth or-

ganization in the world, 4-H is open to all

boys and girls, ages 5 to18. Children who

are five to seven years old (by Dec. 2014)

are eligible for 4-H Clover Kids, an intro-

ductory program.

Youth who are 8 to 18 years of age (by

Dec. 31, 2014) can select from a variety of 4

-H projects and activities. Most of the op-

tions stress social and life skills in areas like

decision making, communication, social in-

teraction, civic responsibility and physical

skills.

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



4-H Report for Greene County

4-H Event Sept. 21 will

Honor “Best of the Best”

from Southwest Missouri

and Feature Cake Wars

Sponsored by the Greene County 4-H Founda-

tion, the Annual 4-H Cake

and Pie Auction and Awards

Program includes a pie sup-

per where pies, cakes and

cookies are auctioned off to

the crowd. All clubs and 4-H

supporters are invited to the

event and encouraged to

bring pies or other auction

items.

The Cake Wars Contest

is a 30-minute timed cake

decorating contest

(limited to 12 two-

person teams of 4-H

members and volun-

teer leaders from

Greene County). Par-

ticipants will be told

the cake decorating

theme 30 minutes

before the event.

Cakes will be auc-

tioned off, and the

team whose cake

brings the most will

win bragging rights

and a trophy.

Cakes made as

part of the 4-H Mem-

ber Cake Decorating

Contest will be auc-

tioned off as part of

the fundraiser.

There will be

three age groups in

this contest: 8-10, 11-

13 and 14 and older.

There are no teams in

this contest. There will be a prize for each age

group winner as chosen by a local chef. The

“People’s Choice Award” will also be given

based on the number of purchased tickets cakes

receive as votes.

“Best of the Best” awards will be presented to

members of 4-H clubs (ages 8 to 18) from south-

west Missouri. Two members from each county

are eligible for this honor.

There will also be an auction of

food cakes and pies with proceeds

benefitting Greene County 4-H.

This event is sponsored by The

Greene County 4-H Foundation. To

enter a team in the competition, con-

tact Gregg Johnson, chairman of the

Greene County 4-H Foundation, at

[email protected].

The contests will be

held, Sunday, Sept.

21, 2:30 pm, in the

Center Hall at the

Ozark Empire Fair

E-Plex. Event doors

will open by 2 pm.

45th Anniversary of Bois D’Arc Braves 4-H Club held Aug. 3, 2014 at the

United Methodist Church in Bois D’Arc.

45th 4-H Anniversary in Bois D’Arc



4-H Report for Greene County/ Master Gardeners

Back to School Blast

Horse Show Takes “Ice

Bucket Challenge” to a

Whole New Level Aug. 23

Close to 100 horse show exhibitors and

sponsors were participated in the “Ice Bucket

Challenge” on Aug. 23 at the “Back to

School Blast Horse Show.” Organizers

matched all donations making it possible to

give the ALS Association a check for $1,015.

The challenge was issued by Julie Wil-

liams, Battalion Chief of the Springfield Fire

Department and 4-H volunteer.

The children who are participated in the

challenge did so as a thank you to the co-

founder of the show.

“Debi Woodward, co-founder of this

horse show, is currently living with ALS. The

other co-founder of the show, Julie Williams,

issued the challenge. Our committee mem-

bers wanted to do something to show our

support of Debi,” said Lynn Neidigh, coordi-

nator of the horse show committee. “Ozark

MFA was nice enough to donate a 20 gallon

water bucket commemorating the 100th anni-

versary of MFA for every exhibitor to use in

this challenge.”

The challenge involves people getting

doused with buckets of ice water on video,

posting that video to social media and then

nominating others to do the same, all in an

effort to raise ALS awareness. Those who

refuse to take the challenge make a donation

to the ALS charity of their choice.

This viral sensation, which has used the

hash tag #IceBucketChallenge, has attracted

thousands of followers nationwide.

The sixth annual “Back to School Blast”

horse show is a major fundraiser for Greene

County 4-H. Proceeds from the show will

help fund the Greene County 4-H fair,

Greene County 4-H scholarships, contest

fees, trips and many other 4-H activities in

the community.

Horse show participants and sponsors emptied their buckets for the “Ice Bucket Challenge” in

unison. This Ice Bucket Challenge made $1,015 for the ALS Association.

Becky Roark Republic WIC Clinic—21

clients

Well of Life Food Pantry—

310 families

Greater Springfield Farmers’

Mkt (2 weeks) - 80 people

Fair Grove Farmers’ Market

(2 weeks) — 213 people

Victory Mission Back to School

Fair (with Sherri) — 1,100 people

Missouri State Fair—HES Extension

Booth, August 16th

FNEP Annual Conference, August 26-28

Sherri Hull Victory Mission Back to School –

“MyPlate” Display & Game; 1100

Adults

Victory Mission Family Ministries Food

Pantry – Display & Discussion about

“Healthy Eating on a Budget”; 118 Fami-

lies

Republic WIC Clinic, lessons on

“Breakfast/Milk” 24 clients

Stewart Head Start, PreK – 45 students

Grant Head Start, PreK – 30 students

Greater Springfield Farmer’s Market –

Tuesday mornings, 80 people

Missouri State Fair –

HES Extension Booth

FNEP Conference



Wood

Family Nutrition Education Program

Edmondson DeFord Williams

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

Chesterfield Village, Springfield, Mo.

Tel: 417-886-2059 Call the office to inquire about nutrition education.

Roark

Fossett

Hull Nevatt

Marty Wood Willard WIC, “Eating Smart, Being

Active” - Adults 25 families

Willard Food Pantry - 23 families

Pregnancy Care Center, “Eating Smart,

Being Active” - Adults 29 adults

Hand Extended Food Pantry Display -

Adults 40 families

Crosslines Food Pantry Display --

Adults 1694 families

Southwest Mo. Indian Center Display --

Adults 20 families

Harter House-Strafford -- 70 adults

Southwest Mo Office on Aging-

Strafford, “Eating Smart, Being Active”

-- Adults 25 adults

People Helping People Display -- 32

families



Civic Communication Specialist and County Program Director

MARKETING

Created a media re-

lease and postcard

mailing to promote

upcoming child care

classes.

Produced a similar

mailing to promote

our “Salute to Century

Farms” event.

Submitted a proposal

to lead a panel discus-

sion at the non-profit

conference held at Drury University this fall.

HISTORIC SCHOOLS

Asked to present at Missouri Preservation

conference in October as part of our efforts

to develop a closer statewide program part-

nership with Missouri Preservation.

Will also present a session on media relations

at the Missouri Preservation annual confer-

ence in Excelsior Springs.

Sent out August newsletter and made it avail-

able online for purchase by non-members.

Work continues on the printed directory of

historic schools in Missouri.

MEDIA WORK

Updating our Expert (Media) Guide and get-

ting it placed online.

Gave a presentation on selling publications

online during the Integrated Teams meeting

hosted in Greene County

this month.

I am developing forms

and content for a new

“Expert Source Program”

that I hope to introduce

this fall or early winter.

ESP will be designed to

get our clients and sup-

porters in the news more

often as story sources who

can detail how Extension

has helped them.

BY THE NUMBERS (for the month)

News Service Subscribers: 9,664 weekly

Requests for advisement: 24

Regular weekly news columns: 16

TV/Radio Interviews – 2

Total articles written this month – 48

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

Marketing of Extension programs to local busi-

nesses for local specialists.

Hosted statewide meetings of the Integrated

Teams effort from MU in Greene County.

Coordinated all agriculture related programs

from MU Extension in the county.

SOCIAL MEDIA REACH (July 2014):

Individuals engaged this month on the various

MU Extension Facebook pages: 12,989.

A change in how Facebook shares information

(for free) has greatly reduced our reach and the

number of people engaged with our various

Greene County Extension groups on Facebook.

Working on numbers for a report regarding the

impact and reach of this news service.

Added 12 videos to YouTube this month. Our

MUExteision417 channel continues to get over

100,000 video views a year. Jill Scheidt’s re-

cent video on scouting for ear corn has become

a favorite this month.

GRANTS & PROPOSALS

Working on four grant

proposals to fund new and

existing programs in 2015.

EMPLOYEE TRAINING

PROGRAMS

Promoted trainings from

MU Extension to area

businesses. Our programs

are local, affordable and

research based.

David Burton Civic communication

[email protected]

“History of Me” Publication

“I'm very interested in purchasing

a copy of "A History of Me" for a

friend whose wife is in hospice

with brain cancer. My husband

and I each used the interview

questions to record oral histories

of our own parents before they

died, and I'd love to be able to

give him the same opportunity.”

Amy Reinink

http://www.youtube.com/MUExtension417



Civic Communication Specialist and County Program Director

New August 2014 Issue of

“Historic Schools Quarterly”

For Sale Online to Public

Every three months, members of the Mis-

souri Historic Schools Alliance receive a high

quality newsletter full of information related to

one-room and historic schools in Missouri.

The “Historic Schools Quarterly” is also avail-

able for purchase by non-members online at as

a digital download.

Highlights of our 18-page August 2014

issue included the following articles: “Profile

of Pony School in St. Joe, Mo.,” “Getting

Tourists to Slow Down for Small Town Herit-

age,” “Amish One-Room Schools in Mis-

souri,” “Iowa Law Establishes Grant for One-

Room Schools,” “Case Study: Cave Springs

School in Jasper County” and “Kings Prairie

School Profile.”

Every quarter this newsletter includes pro-

files on existing historic schools in Missouri,

information on restoration and renovation,

memories of schools written by former stu-

dents and details about upcoming events.

Members of the Missouri Historic Schools

Alliance receive the newsletter as part of their

annual membership fee. Information about

membership is also available on the Greene

County Extension website.

Missouri Historic Schools Alliance has a

mission to research, restore and maintain one-

room schools in Missouri. Participants in this

MU Extension program work with individuals

and other state and national partnering organi-

zations interested in preserving the state's one-

room schools as a means of community and

economic development.

For more information about MHSA or to

learn how to become a member and receive the

quarterly newsletter, go online to http://






Horticulture Specialist

Master Gardeners

of Greene County

board meeting,

Springfield (8/4/14)

First Thursday info

display, Farmers

Market of the

Ozarks, Springfield

(8/7/14)

Burmese garden

project informa-

tional meeting, No-

el (8/11/14)

Master Gardeners of Greene County

chapter meeting, Springfield (8/12/14)

Springfield Plateau Master Naturalist

Board meeting, Springfield (8/13/14)


Hotline Development meeting, Spring-

field (8/18/14)

Springfield Plateau Master Naturalist

chapter meeting, Springfield (8/18/14)

Horticulture soil test reports - recom-

mendations for SW region – 20 reports

during reporting period

Participated in:

Global Food Systems Thematic Team

meeting, Columbia (7/28-7/29/14)

Metropolitan Food Systems Team Meet-

ing, Columbia (8/12/14)

Horticulture IPM teleconference

(8/13/14, 8/20/14)

Advanced Master Gardener Training –

Drought and the Urban Landscape, Har-

rison, AR (8/16/14)

Planning meeting, North American

Raspberry and Blackberry Association

annual conference (8/18/14)

Master Gardener Leadership Team tele-

conference (8/18/14)

FMO Board meeting, Springfield

(8/19/14)

Community Contact:

TV and Radio and print

5 live interviews with KOLR10’s Chris

Smith (2 delivered by Kelly McGowan)

4 radio interviews with Morris Westfall’s

“Farm Page of the Air”

Contributed to several articles and inter-

views

Requests for information

Telephone contacts – 32 for advisement

Email contacts – 30 contacts

Office visits, professional contacts – 4 for

consultation and advisement

Farm site visits – 7 for consultation and

advisement

Programs Presented:

“Organic Weed Control” (Kelly McGow-

an), Organic Gardening Academy,


“Organic Fruit Production,” EarthDance

monthly seminar series, St. Louis (8/5/14)

Horticulture Exhibits Judging, Missouri

State Fair, Sedalia (8/6/14)

“Gardening for Pollinators and Benefi-

cials” (guest speaker Nadia Navarette-

Tindall, LU), Organic Gardening Acade-

my, Springfield (8/21/14)

“The Xeriscape Garden – 20 Years of

Sustainable Landscape Education,” Ad-

vanced Master Gardener Training –

Drought and the Urban Landscape, Harri-

son, AR (8/16/14)

“Crape Myrtle Bark Scale and Other Sea-

sonal Insect Issues,” Master Gardeners of

Greene County Hotline Development

meeting, Springfield (8/18/14)

“Four Season Gardening” (guest speaker

Shon Bishop, LU), Organic Gardening

Academy, Springfield (8/21/14)

Coordinated:

First Friday informational display, Webb

City Farmers Market, Webb City (8/1/14)

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/

Continued from Patrick Byers

UMEA quarterly board meeting (8/20/14)

Upcoming programming and events

Extension Thematic Team meetings, Spring-

field (8/27-8/29/14)

Lawncare Professional Workshop, Springfield

(9/2/14)

Growing Garlic Master Gardener workshop,


First Thursday informational display, Farmers

Market of the Ozarks, Springfield (9/4/14)

First Friday informational display, Webb City

Farmers Market, Webb City (9/5/14)

“Direct Marketing for Horticultural Crops,”

SWREC Agriculture Education Day, Mount

Vernon (9/11/14)

“Landscaping for Master Gardeners,” Barton

County Master Gardeners chapter meeting,

Lamar (9/11/14)

“All About Tomatoes,” SWREC Fall Field

Day, Mount Vernon (9/12/14)

Missouri Master Gardener State Conference,

St. Louis (9/12-9/14/14)

Commercial Garlic Production Workshop,


“Composting for Organic Gardeners,” Organ-

ic Gardening Academy, Springfield (9/18/14)

“Growing Fruit for Home Use,” Pulaski

County Master Gardeners chapter tour,


MELD VI, Session 4, Neosho (9/23-9/26/14)

“Bulbs for Fall Planting,” Master Gardeners

of the Ozarks Fall Gardening Seminar, Kim-

berling City (9/27/14)

“Fireblight,” MSU Plant Pathology guest lec-

ture, Springfield (9/30/14)

“Urban Water Use,” Organic Gardening

Academy, Springfield (9/30/14)

MU Scientists Call for

Increased Conservation

Efforts to Save Black Bears

Between 1880 and 1920, the Central In-

terior Highlands (Missouri, Oklahoma and

Arkansas), saw the height of deforestation.

That decreased the habitat for black bears

and other forest species. To combat the de-

cline of black bears and repopulate the moun-

tainous region, more than 250 bears from

Minnesota and Manitoba were relocated to

Arkansas in the 1950s and 1960s.

Researchers at the University of Missouri

have analyzed genetic diversity in black

bears in the CIH and have determined that

coordinated conservation management is still

needed to maintain healthy populations of

black bears in the region.

Study results suggested black bears were

present throughout the CIH in the 1920s,

contrary to previous beliefs. Current research

indicates that the bears had a remnant lineage

in the northern Ozarks of Missouri

The team says conservation efforts to

promote forest connectivity will help protect

bears throughout the region, so subpopula-

tions are not isolated.

http://www.springfieldmasternaturalist.com/

http://springfieldmn.blogspot.com/




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

Sept. 2: MG Garlic

Class (Bot. Center)

Sept. 6-7: MG booth at

Bass Pro Shops Out-

door Days

Sept. 9: Monthly

Chapter Meeting 6 pm

(Bot. Center)

Sept. 12-14: State

Master Gardener Con-

ference in St. Louis

Sept. 12-14: MG booth

at Japanese Fall Festi-

val at Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden

Sept. 20: Fall Garden Tour

Sept. 20-21: MG booth at Gray Campbell

Farmstead Lifestyle Expo

Oct. 3: 30th Anniversary Celebration

For information call 417-881-8909

Kelly McGowan Horticulture Educator

University of Missouri

Extension

[email protected]

Organic Gardening Academy Topics will help you balance your garden with

naturally occurring products and practices. All

classes are at 6 p.m. Call MU Extension 881-

8909

Sep 18 -- Composting

Sep 30 -- Sustainable Gardening

New Class Series offered by Master

Gardeners of Greene County:

‘Learn to Grow in the Garden’

On Aug. 7, the new series “Learn to

Grow in the Garden” kicked off with a

“Loving Lavender” class. It was a fun and

informal time with 46 in attendance.

Participants learned all about growing

lavender, cooking with lavender, making lav-

ender wands, and enjoyed lavender snacks

and drinks.

The series continues on Sept. 2 with a

“Growing Garlic” class. This class will be

taught by Missouri Master Naturalist Bob

Kipfer. Mr. Kipfer taught a Master Gardener

garlic class in 2010 that was thoroughly en-

joyed by everyone who attended, so much so,

we asked him to come back for an encore

presentation.

The class will be from 6-7 p.m. in the

Master Gardener Demonstration Garden at

the Botanical Center. It is free and open to

both Master Gardeners and the public. Cool

drinks and seating will be provided. For

more information call 417-881-8909 or visit

www.mggreene.org.

The “Learn to Grow in the Garden” class

series was developed by Cathy Statts, class of

2008. She wanted the classes to support the

Master Gardener mission of “Helping Others

Learn to Grow”. A third class on using cold

frames, will be coming in the fall.

http://www.mggreene.org



Nutrition and Health Specialist

Voices for Food Project

Pam is the State Co-

ordinator for a six-state,

federally funded research

project called “Voices for

Food” which has

launched in August. The

project is aimed to ad-

dress food security in

isolated communities

known as “food deserts”.

In Missouri, four south-

west communities have

been selected to take part.

Food deserts are de-

fined as communities located more than 10 miles

from a supermarket or other source of fresh,

healthy and affordable food. The Voices for Food

project will seek community-based strategies to

increase the availability of and access to nutritious

food in rural communities with high poverty rates.

The project and funding in-

cludes university researchers from

University of Missouri Extension

and South Dakota, Michigan, In-

diana, Nebraska and Ohio. Re-

searchers will be working with

communities in their respective states.

The grant project and its approach are unique

because it will be applied across multiple states

and draws on the expertise of multiple disciplines

– including nutrition, community development,

agriculture and youth. The focus of the grant is to

develop and implement sustainable solutions that

will increase availability and access to healthy

food choices in these rural communities.

Development of food councils will be cultivat-

ed and maintained in each of the targeted commu-

nities with stakeholder representatives.

Pam will play a key role in providing guidance

to the food councils. Extension coaching and nu-

trition education resources for food pantries in

each community will be shared and discussed as

development of community food-insecurity solu-

tions are identified.

The majority of Pam’s position is focused on

this work, which will last through 2017.

MU Extension Program Integration: Pam works on a state-wide team to integrate our

health-related programs with research; maximize

the impact of our programs by exceeding partici-

pant expectations; develop sustainable resource

generation; and elevate MU Extension’s value.

Pam worked on several projects during the

month of August, and helped host a 3-day state-

wide meeting for all MU Extension Program In-

tegration teams, held at the Botanical Center.

Additional work and outcomes in August: 17 individual contacts/consultations

Springfield Local food collaborations: Seeds

of Prosperity; Springfield Community Gar-

dens; conference planning for Missouri Or-

ganic Association; Food Day 2014 campaign

and development

Healthy Lifestyle Initiative

Pam works with communities to improve com-

munity environments and policies, and to provide

programming for enhanced healthy lifestyles.

During August Pam met with collaborators and

City leaders to coordinate programming.

Local Food, Nutrition, and Health Programs

offered During August, Pam helped coordinate

and/or taught seven Nutrition and Health courses

including: Food Preservation; Chronic Disease

Self Management Classes; and Cooking demon-

stration classes.

Pam Duitsman Nutrition specialist

[email protected]



Nutrition and Health Specialist

“Most stressful situations that we face each

day are not this severe. It would be great if we

could avoid every situation that creates stress –

but, that’s probably not going to happen,” said

Duitsman. “Instead, what we can do is learn to

control our response. Healthy responses to stress

can be learned, and can help protect us from the

most damaging impacts of stress.”

Several techniques have been shown to help

people manage their response to stress.

The first is to determine what, specifically, is

the cause of your stress, anxiety or fear. “If you

don’t know why you are stressed, begin by keep-

ing a diary to record your physical symptoms or

emotions, and the events, situations or people that

trigger them,” said Duitsman.

Second, develop a support system that includes

people you can trust. Studies show that those who

manage stress well have strong support networks.

“Cultivate friendships with those who have similar

values and goals. Sign up for a class, or reach out

to those you may work or worship with,” said

Duitsman.

It is also a good idea to check your medica-

tions. A side effect may be anxiety.

Duitsman says it is also important to learn

what your limits are and set boundaries for in-

volvement. “When you

are overwhelmed, don’t

be afraid to say no. Re-

structuring priorities can

simplify your life. Eval-

uate what is most im-

portant, and focus on

those things,” said

Duitsman.

Getting some type of

physical activity daily is

another way to manage stress. According to

Duitsman, breathing exercises, prayer and medita-

tion, gratitude journals, and volunteering have also

been shown to be beneficial in reducing stress.

“Realize that quick fixes, like eating, drug use

or alcohol may make us feel better for a time, but

rarely reduce any stress long term,” said Duitsman.

For more information, contact Dr. Pam

Duitsman, in Greene County at (417) 881-8909 or

by email at [email protected].

Duitsman: “Manage Stress,

Don’t let it Manage You”

Stress comes in all shapes and sizes but no

matter how it is packaged, stress can test our lim-

its psychologically, emotionally and physically.

“It is hard to believe but almost 90 percent of

all visits to primary care providers are due to

stress-related problems,” said Dr. Pam Duitsman,

a nutrition and health education specialist with

University of Missouri Extension.

Science has linked stress to all sorts of health

issues: cardiovascular disease, cancer, accidents

and suicide. More subtle, but impactful, is how

stress can decrease our immune system, cause

weight and body-fat changes, prevent us from

sleeping, trigger migraines, and cause fatigue.

Stress is also linked to negative quality of

life measures: stealing our joy, peace, and sense

of well-being; causing fear, mood swings, and

intense and overwhelming emotions. Research

shows stress can profoundly affect our brain and

decrease our ability to remember and learn.

Chronic stress, which results in a daily over-

stimulation of our sympathetic nervous system, is

often a simple and natural reaction to our daily

challenges. This sort of

low-level, constant

stress can overload our

brain with hormones

that are meant for fight

or flight. Long term,

the effect is diminished

brain capacity and sus-

ceptibility to mental

illness.

“Stress is not only

affecting us, it is affecting those around us.

Workplace and road-way violence, and other

violent crimes are linked to increased stress,”

said Duitsman.

Some significant stressors rate high on the

stress scale, such as death of a loved one, loss of

job, or a bad diagnosis. These situations are

overwhelming, and may require a person seek

the counsel of a trained professional to cope.

“It is hard to believe but almost 90

percent of all visits to primary care

providers are due to stress-related

problems.” Dr. Pam Duitsman

nutrition and health education specialist

University of Missouri Extension

Total Cash Contributed:

$31,020

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 to Sept. 30

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 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

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

William Hosman

Rita Johnson

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.

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

Stephenson

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. Lorri Winters

joined 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

august 2014

Documents

upcoming events page

upcoming extension events

friends list page

master gardeners page

master naturalists page

farm family page

h hall of fame

nutrition program page