MISSISSIPPI
COUNTY
University of
Missouri Extension
ANNUAL
REPORT
2015
Mississippi County Courthouse
1
Table of Contents
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Mississippi County Extension Council ........................................................................................................... 3
Extension Staff .............................................................................................................................................. 4
Letter to Mississippi County Commission ..................................................................................................... 5
Vice Provost Letter ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Human Development .................................................................................................................................... 7
Nutrition and Health ..................................................................................................................................... 8
Family Nutrition Education Program ............................................................................................................ 9
Agriculture .................................................................................................................................................. 12
Horticulture ................................................................................................................................................. 15
Media .......................................................................................................................................................... 15
Community Development ........................................................................................................................... 15
4-H and Youth ............................................................................................................................................. 16
Business Development ................................................................................................................................ 17
Housing and Energy Conservation .............................................................................................................. 17
Continuing Education .................................................................................................................................. 18
Expenses and Funding Sources ................................................................................................................... 19
The University of Missouri Benefits Mississippi County ............................................................................. 20
If You Want to Help ..................................................................................................................................... 21
The Mission of MU Extension is: to improve lives, communities and
economies by producing relevant, reliable and responsive educational
strategies that enhance access to the resources and research of the
University of Missouri
2
Our Mission...
In Mississippi County our Mission is…
To extend the educational resources and research knowledge of the University
of Missouri to the people of Mississippi County
109 N. 1st St.
Charleston, MO 63834
573-683-6129
email: Mississippico@missouri.edu
website: extension.missouri.edu/mississippi
Mississippi County Extension Council
The Mississippi County Extension Council consists of dedicated volunteers who meet seven
times a year. The Council helps determine the programs that best meet the needs of Mississippi
County citizens, approves personnel headquartered in the county, and supervises funds from
the Mississippi County Commission which pay for secretarial assistance and maintain the
Extension Center.
2015 OFFICERS
Mike McIlroy, chairman
Jason Renaud, vice-chair
Scott Vowels, treasurer
Hamil Corse, secretary
ELECTED MEMBERS
Scott Vowels Taylor Burke
Sarah Dugan Daniel White
Cade Coon
Trent Hurley
Justin Drinkwater
APPOINTED MEMBERS
Carlin Bennett, Mississippi County Commission
Bryan Feezor, Farm Bureau
Bill Feezor, Delta Growers Association
Bryan Mainord, City of East Prairie
COUNCIL EMPLOYEE
Gail Pang, Office Manager
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Extension Staff
MISSISSIPPI COUNTY BASED STAFF
Rick DeLoughery, Agronomy Specialist/CPD
Mary Engram, Human Development Specialist
Barbara Ann Cleaves, FNEP Nutrition Assistant
Paula Cates, FNEP Nutrition Assistant
Vacant, Youth Education Assistant
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Janet Kline, Regional Director
Linda Morgan, FNEP Supervisor
Janet Kline, Regional
Extension Director
AGRICULTURE/HORTICULTURE RESOURCES
Anthony Ohmes, Agronomy Specialist
Sarah Denkler, Horticulture
Sam Atwell, Agronomy – Rice
A.J. Foster, Agronomy – Rice and Precision Agriculture
(A.J. left in July 2015)
Mike Milam, Agronomy - Cotton
Erin Larimore - Livestock
David Reinbott, Farm Management
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Vacant, 4-H / Youth
Lesley Meier - 4-H Youth Specialist (interim assistance)
HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (HES)
Maude Harris, Nutrition/Health Education
Don Ray, Family Financial Education (Don left in late 2015)
Rebecca Blocker, Housing and Environmental Design
COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Van Ayers, Community Development
Richard Proffer, Business Development
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 race, color, national origin, ancestry,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability,
or protected veteran status.
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Letter to Mississippi County Commission
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VICE PROVOST’S OFFICE
108 Whitten Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
Vice Provost Letter
PHONE: (573) 882-7477
FAX: (573) 882-1955
December 2015
Dear County Commissioners and Friends of MU Extension:
Each year, University of Missouri Extension carries out the University of Missouri’s land-grant mission — bringing
the university’s knowledge and research to all Missourians. For more than a century, we have been the “front
door” to higher education in Missouri — helping to improve lives and create vibrant, resilient communities.
MU Extension is known as a valued and trusted resource for Missourians, touching the lives of nearly 2.3 million
citizens. Our presence in all 114 Missouri counties, coupled with our network of councils, enables us to listen to
the needs of communities, and respond with programming that addresses those needs. From our well-known
programs in agriculture, nutrition and health, 4-H, and small business development, to lesser known continuing
education programs for professionals such as fire and law enforcement training, nursing and medical continuing
education and labor education, MU Extension makes a difference with programs that are in demand. The following
are examples of program impact.

MU Extension’s Business Development Program helps Missouri entrepreneurs succeed in private
enterprise and promotes statewide economic growth. In the past fiscal year, this program helped
businesses increase sales by more than $157 million, secure loans and equity of nearly $100 million,
create 1,832 jobs, and retain an additional 1,436 jobs. The program also helped to launch 213 new
businesses in our state.

Alianza, a joint initiative of MU Extension and the Institute for Human Development at the University of
Missouri – Kansas City, provides intercultural training to the growing segment of Latino farmers, and pairs
them with the knowledge and services they need to help Missouri meet its agricultural needs.

4-H Youth Futures: College Within Reach, is designed to help high school youths who are not encouraged
to attend college realize the benefits of a college degree. Studies show that an individual’s lifetime
earning potential increases by an average of $2.3 million with a bachelor’s degree. This program makes a
difference for many young people.

Strengthening communities through art, innovation and creativity is the focus of MU Extension’s
Community Arts Program. The program’s 2015 St. Louis Storytelling Festival, which brought curriculum to
life for 12,000 local school children, shows how extension adds value to communities through
engagement with MU.
These examples are a small representation of the many ways MU Extension works to enrich lives, businesses and
communities to strengthen Missouri. I encourage you to read the attached annual report to view the impact made
in your county. On behalf of MU Extension, thank you for your support and partnership with us to better serve
your community.
Sincerely,
Thomas A. Henderson
Interim Vice Provost and Director
InterimUniversity
Vice Provost
and Director
of Missouri,
Lincoln University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Local Extension Councils Cooperating
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ADA INSTITUTIONS
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Human Development
Mary Engram
Human Development Specialist
Each year our goal is to offer un-biased, research-based educational programs to
families in Mississippi County with the goal of improving their quality of life in the
environments in which they live, work, learn and relax.
Focus on Kids
The “FOCUS ON KIDS” program for divorcing parents is offered every month rotating between
Mississippi and Scott counties. Parents are referred to the class by the circuit clerk and/or their
attorney. The purpose of the class is to help parents learn about the needs of their children and their
common reactions to divorce. To date, over 200 parents in Scott and Mississippi Counties have
attended the class.
The Marriage Garden
A new program that started in 2013 was continued in 2015. The Marriage Garden is an effort to provide
relationship information to newly married couples. It is a self-study packet given to each couple
requesting a marriage license in Mississippi County. The study focuses on commitment, communication
and community. Over 100 packets were distributed from January – December 2015.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Regional Conference
In October 2015, two regional conferences were held for grandparents who are raising grandchildren
and other relative caregivers. The locations were Cape Girardeau and Hayti and numerous educational
sessions were available for participants. A southeast Missouri resource guide for grandparents who are
raising grandchildren was created and distributed throughout the southeast region, including Mississippi
County. Funding for this project was provided by AARP.
Multi-County Women’s Health Conference
For the 12th year a multi-county conference on women’s health was held in Sikeston with nearly 200
participants attending from the surrounding counties, including Mississippi County. The goals of the
conference are to provide health and educational information to the participants with keynote speakers,
individual breakout sessions, and vendors representing services in the area. The conference includes
breakfast and lunch and was free to the participants. The 2015 conference was held at the new Three
Rivers College campus in Sikeston.
Child Care Provider Training
In July, August, and September, 2015, six total hours of training was offered for child care providers in
Mississippi County for their yearly clock-hour requirement. Topics presented included Nutrition for
Children, Childhood Obesity, Healthy Habits for Life, Family Style Dining in Child Care and Moving and
Learning. Staff attending represented three child care centers in Mississippi County. Total contacts for
this effort was 23.
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Nutrition and Health
Cooking Matters at the Store
Maude Harris, Team Leader
Barbara Cleaves and Paula Cates, Team Members
Mary Bankhead, Community Volunteer
Program Mission
As part of the “No Kid Hungry” campaign to end childhood hunger in America,
Share Our Strength's ‘Cooking Matters at the Store’ teaches participants to shop smarter, and use
nutrition information to make healthier choices. It is a single-session, interactive, guided grocery store
tour to help families make healthy and affordable choices at the supermarket. During a ‘Cooking
Matters at the Store’ tour, participants learn and practice skills that help them understand how to
purchase fruits and vegetables on a budget, save money by comparing unit prices, and make healthier
choices by reading food labels and ingredient lists.
Description of Program Offerings
The ‘Cooking Matters at the Store’ tours provide families with hands-on education as they shop for
food, giving them skills to compare foods for cost and nutrition. Participants learn how to plan and
budget for healthy, affordable, and delicious meals for their families.
Program Impact
 During program year 2015, Cooking Matters at the Store tours were delivered to 183
participants in Charleston and East Prairie located in Mississippi County.
Evaluation
After attending a Cooking Matters at the Store tour,
 90% reported improved knowledge, skills, or
understanding of maintaining a healthier
dietary intake;
 90% reported using skills and knowledge to
shop healthier and reduce food costs.
Customer Quotes
 “This is great.”
 “I learned a lot more about whole grain.”
 “I am going to look at the unit pricing when I
am not sure which is cheaper.”
Lessons Learned
Participants were able to calculate unit pricing,
identify whole grain products by reading food labels,
and select low fat dairy products
Demographics
Black Male: 19
White Male: 3
Age 19 – 64: 50
Black Female: 56
White Female: 8
Age 65 and over: 36
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A local resident signs up for Cooking Matters at the
Store and participated in a brief tour of Town and
Country in East Prairie to gain a better understanding
of making healthier food choices as well as to save
money. Those representing the University Extension
include: (left to right) Barbara Cleaves, Dr. Maude
Harris, and Paula Cates. Photo by Daphne Thomas,
Mississippi County Times
Family Nutrition Education Program
Barbara Ann Cleaves
Nutrition Program Associate
Paula Cates
Nutrition Program Associate
Linda Morgan, EdD
Family Nutrition Education
Program Coordinator
SE region Nutrition Specialist
University of Missouri Extension’s Family Nutrition Program (FNP) provided SNAP-Ed nutrition education
to 11,294 low-income participants in Mississippi County during FY 2015 (October 1, 2014 to September
30, 2015). FNP is one of MU Extension’s Family Nutrition Education Programs (FNEP), and teaches
information on nutrition, food safety, and physical activity for lifelong health and fitness.
Nutrition education for youth provides information in kid-friendly terms and lessons with hands-on
activities. Activities include opportunities for taste-testing healthy foods and practicing skills that lead to
good health. Education for adults includes nutrition, food safety, physical activity, and food resource
management.
During FY 2015, there were 2,264 direct youth contacts and 30 indirect youth contacts. There were also
1,877 direct adult contacts and 7,123 indirect adult contacts served through schools, community groups
and agencies. The following is a list of the locations where participants were served:
Schools:
A.J. Martin Elementary
Charleston Middle School
East Prairie High School
East Prairie Junior High
R.A. Doyle Elementary
St. Henry School
Warren E. Hearnes Elementary
Agencies:
East Prairie WIC
Mississippi County Health Dept.
Flame of Hope Food Bank
Charleston Head Start
Busy Bee Day Care
East Prairie Head Start
Kinder Steps Day Care
Caring Communities MERS/Goodwill
East Prairie Nutrition Center
Bowden Center
East Prairie City Pool
Prairie Groves Apartments
Mitchell Memorial Branch Library
Classic Day Care
Charleston Senior Center
Charleston Ministerial Alliance
Little Farmer Day Care
Shining Light Food pantry
Charleston Library
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We sincerely appreciate all these agencies for partnering with MU Extension to bring nutrition and
health education to Mississippi County citizens of all ages.
Nutrition Education Program Impact:
Evaluation data summarized for the state revealed the following positive youth impacts:
 Ninety percent of teachers reported students talked about being more aware of nutrition.
 Eighty percent of the teachers heard students talk about making healthier meal or snack choices
 68% of the teachers observed students making healthier choices.
 More than 60% of the teachers saw or heard improvements in hand washing, physical activity, and
willingness to try new foods.
 A high percentage of the teachers reported being an example of these behaviors to their students.
Among the adult participants:
 56% reported improvement when they think about healthy food choices when deciding what to
feed their family
 67% reported improvement in their use the “Nutrition Facts” label to make food choices.
Success Stories:
Success Story by Barbara Ann Cleaves:
‘Eating From The Garden’ has proved to be a
successful program. This year some of the
parents worked in the garden with their children.
The biggest thing was the parents and children
spending time together planting vegetables,
pulling weeds and working in the garden. The
biggest success was when students were able to
pick green tomatoes, squash, and peppers and
take them home. The parents were very surprised
when the children ate the vegetables that they
had grown.
Barbara Ann Cleaves Nutrition Program
Associate (above) at Warren E. Hearnes
School, and (left) children she taught in
the garden.
Published by the Mississippi County Times, June 30, 2015
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Paula Cates Nutrition Program
Associate at Charleston Head Start
Success Story by Paula Cates:
I teach a nutrition class at a local Early Head
Start program for the parents and they love
to make our ‘Show Me Simple and Healthy
Recipes’. The parents and I meet in the
Head Start Kitchen and cook utilizing these
recipes. I have had many of the parents tell
me they never knew much about healthy
recipes, cooking, measuring, or food safety
until starting these classes. They are always
excited for the next class.
Family Nutrition Program (FNP) Summary and Impacts:
The Family Nutrition Program (FNP) brought $9,379,977 in Federal funds to the state of Missouri. These
funds were used to provide nutrition education to 1,110,063 food stamp recipients and food stamp
eligible citizens of Missouri. 11,294 of these program participants reside in Mississippi
County. Statewide, FNP also funds 22 full-time jobs with quality benefits plus expenses for making the
programming available to qualified schools and agencies in SE Missouri, including two full time Nutrition
Program Associates in Mississippi County.
Participants in FNP become more aware of nutrition, make healthier meal and snack choices, eat
breakfast more often, are more willing to try new foods, increase their physical activity, and in general
make healthier food choices. Those who practice healthy eating and activity behaviors are more likely to
enjoy a high quality of life as an adult and into old age. A healthy labor force is critical to attracting and
keeping jobs in Missouri. In addition, this important programming effort serves to reduce healthcare
costs over the participant’s lifetime, saving taxpayers money in reduced public healthcare benefits and
insurance premiums
It has been a successful year in Mississippi County for FNP.
If you need further information about the Family Nutrition Education program please contact:
Linda Morgan
Dexter FNEP office
1723 West Bus. Hwy 60, Su. 3
Dexter, MO 63841
(573)-614-7110 / (573)-624-4889 fax
morganlj@missouri.edu
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Agriculture
Rick DeLoughery
Agronomy Specialist
Most farmers in the county are reached by MU Extension programs, whether
by newspaper articles, direct mail and email, pesticide certification training,
soil testing, meetings or one-on-one consultation. Extension also reaches
many home gardeners as well as commercial horticulture producers.
Regional Commodity Meetings
In 2015 University of Missouri Extension provided
educational events that reached a diverse audience
of farmers and farm workers, consultants, industry
representatives, legislators, federal and state agency
personnel and other stakeholders in Mississippi
County. These educational efforts include regional
conferences specific to commodities produced in
southeast Missouri, including: soybean, corn,
forages, rice and cotton.
Soybean Management Conference
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reports that approximately 50
million bushels of soybeans are produced in southeast Missouri out of which 7.5
million bushels are produced on about 154,500 acres in Mississippi County. In
January, University of Missouri Regional Extension Specialists held the Soybean
Management Conference. The program provided research-based information to
producers, Certified Crop Advisors, industry representatives, state and federal
agencies. This regional meeting provides an opportunity for citizens from every
county in southeast Missouri to hear University State Specialists from both
Anthony Ohmes
Missouri and neighboring state land-grant institutions such as the University of
Regional
Tennessee and the University of Arkansas. About 30 of 185 people attending
Agronomy
the January 2015 soybean production meeting in Miner were from Mississippi
Specialist, Cape
County. Weed control, seed treatments, use of drones, and new MU varieties
Girardeau Co.
were some of the topics. This program was co-sponsored by the Missouri
Soybean Association and local businesses.
Pesticide Applicator Training
Many of the pesticides used by Mississippi County farmers are classified as Restricted Use by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. Receiving a Private Pesticide Applicators license enables farmers and
home-owners to use these pesticides. In February twenty six producers attended one of three classes
for re-certification. Another ten watched a video instead. Four Mississippi County commercial
applicators recertified for a Commercial Pesticide Applicators license at a training in Cape Girardeau.
Afterward one of the participants said “it’s good to brush up on all the info to be sure we are handling
products safely.” Another said he would make “handling protection” changes.
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FFA Agriculture Tour
In May three teachers and 13 students from
southwest Missouri toured a potato sorting
plant, and potato, cotton and rice fields in
Mississippi, New Madrid and Stoddard Counties.
The afternoon tour was organized by
DeLoughery and included lessons by Sam
Atwell, New Madrid County Agronomy
Specialist, a local cotton farmer, and employees
of Black Gold Farms.
Irrigation Soil Moisture Sensor Conference
FFA students on a Black Gold sweet potato transplanter
Of 1.18 million acres of irrigated cropland in Missouri, seven
percent of these, or 86,460 acres, are in Mississippi County (NASS).
These irrigated acres represent 35% of the 245,000 acres of
Mississippi County land in farms. Most farmers in the Bootheel are
not using irrigation scheduling tools that are available. Dr. Joe
Henggeler, State Extension Irrigation Specialist (retired in 09/2015)
and DeLoughery conducted an educational program to teach
farmers about soil moisture sensors
and the technology that enables them
to see the soil moisture status on
their smart phones or computers. This
included a demonstration site at
cooperator Randy Arington’s farm
Joe Henggeler (left) and Brett
where five companies installed their
Norman of AgSmarts at the
equipment. A conference and
demonstration site
tradeshow dedicated to wireless soil
moisture sensors was held in August
at the Miner Convention Center. More than 65 farmers, Ag professionals
and college students participated in the conference. In addition, 18
landlords attended a dinner meeting on the same topic and visited the
field demonstration. Twelve participants were from Mississippi County.
Randy Arington (left), demonstration site cooperator, and
Rick DeLoughery
Certified Crop Advisor Class
About 35 crop consultants and advisors from around the Bootheel, including seven people from
Mississippi County, participated in a regional, two-day Certified Crop Advisors class at the Fisher Delta
Research Center in November providing 16 hours of CEUs. This research-based information helps these
consultants make informed decisions and recommendations on row crops in southeast Missouri.
Topics included: Insect Pollinators and Insecticide Labeling, Weed Resistance and Herbicide Technology,
Corn and Soybean Disease Management, Drainage Water Issues, the MU Irrigation App for
Smartphones. DeLoughery presented a lesson on soil Moisture Sensor use in irrigation.
 88% of survey respondents indicated a gain in knowledge after the morning session in soil and
water management.
 Respondents also indicated they would use the information learned and found the information
relevant and contained quality content.
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2015 Regional Corn Meeting
NASS data show that approximately 340,000 acres of corn are grown in
southeast Missouri. About 49,400 acres of corn are grown in Mississippi
County, producing 9.6 million bushels at an average of 194.8 bushels per acre,
the highest county average in Missouri in 2015. In December, University of
Missouri Regional Extension Specialists organized, facilitated and provided
information at a morning conference on corn production. It was held in Miner
for 140 producers, certified crop advisors, industry representatives, and
representatives from federal agencies such as United States Department of
Agriculture/Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA/NRCS), legislator
offices and agriculture publications. Fifteen of the participants were from
Mississippi County. Research-based information was provided by state
university specialists from Missouri, Tennessee, Indiana, and Kentucky on
nitrogen, weed management, high yield corn management, and marketing.
Those in attendance produce or provide a service to the production of corn in
all corn producing counties in southeast Missouri including Mississippi County.
This meeting was co-sponsored by Corn Growers Association and about 10
agricultural businesses.
David Reinbott,
presenter and coorganizer of the
regional corn and
soybean meetings
Other Agricultural Extension Programs available to Mississippi County farmers:
Fisher Delta Research Center and Rice Research Farm Field Days, the Cotton Production and Outlook
Conference, the Missouri Rice Conference, the Ag Lenders Meeting, and the Regional Insect Scouting
School at the Delta Center.
Crop updates by Anthony Ohmes are sent by email every week or two during the growing season. David
Reinbott writes farm business or market updates every couple months. These are forwarded to
Mississippi and Scott County Ag businesses and farmers.
Individual Consultation
Information was provided to 400 people via one on one, walk-ins, field visits, phone calls, mail and
email. Topics included weed ID and control, Irrigation scheduling, soil fertility, etc. Clients included
elders, women, vegetable producers and farmers, home owners, and Ag business.
Soil Testing
In Missouri soil tests are encouraged for all major agronomic crops, gardens and turf before
application of fertilizer or lime. These are the basis of making the best recommendations for both
healthy plants and farm profits. In 2015, 135 soil samples were processed though the Mississippi County
Extension office. Most were for field crops. The recommendations were reviewed and comments
added on soil pH and nutrient management in agronomic crops. Consultation is also provided
to producers specific to their soil test results.
A Statewide Soybean Cyst Nematode Survey was conducted, and two soil samples were collected and
submitted from Mississippi County.
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Horticulture
Regional Horticultural Specialists
Serving Mississippi County
Donna Aufdenberg
Sarah Denkler
In January Sarah Denkler spoke to 20 members of the Molly French Garden Club about planting and
caring for Crepe Myrtles and left a publication on this in the library for the public to access.
Lawn and Landscape Workshops
In the fall two local workshops on lawn establishment and landscape management were conducted in
Charleston with 20 participants. Anthony Ohmes taught the class on turf, while Donna Aufdenberg,
Regional Specialist in Horticulture, taught the class about mulching, shrubs, and tree care. Eight area
lawn and tree care businesses co-sponsored these workshops.
A survey of participants showed:
 Four of the participants had been through the Master Gardener series of classes.
 All felt the programs was above average or one of the best they have attended.
 One third of the participants earn money from lawn care.
 All reported the workshop improved their lawn and landscape knowledge.
 Three people planned to take soil samples and two planned to seed cool-season grasses.
Media
The University of Missouri Extension Mississippi County website was improved and updated during the
year.
Twenty two news releases were sent to local newspapers from our office. A number of these were sent
to the “Mid America Farmer Grower.”
Free Regional Electronic Newsletters: “The Garden Spade” newsletter reaches 150 readers a month,
and The “Missouri Ag News” goes out monthly to dozens of farmers and ag professionals.
Community Development
Van H. Ayers
Community Development Specialist


Efforts were made to work with the River Heritage Tourism group, to
develop tourism programs for the region. Ms. Sylvia Barker, East Prairie has
been the contact with this effort.
Supported the Community Arts program
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4-H and Youth
4-H equips youth with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and health for the 21st
century workforce. 4-H is communities of members building life skills,
engaging in Science and connecting to their community. Missouri 4-H
members spend almost nine times more of their leisure time than peers engaged in projects
anchored in science. As a result, 4-H members are three times more likely to go into science
related careers than similar peers (Lerner and Lerner, 2008).
Mississippi County Extension is currently without a Youth Specialist or Program Assistant
serving Mississippi County. Leslie Meier, 4-H Youth Specialist in Cape Girardeau County, assists
us as needed.
SOLAR Day: The 2015, 29th annual Solar Day program, hosted by Wayne and Debbie Corse, and
Hamil and Sarah Corse, teaches Kindergarden, 3rd, and 5th grade students from the Charleston
Public School and St. Henry School about the environment, wildlife, and related topics. This
year six MU Extension Specialists and Associates provided 25-minute, hands-on lessons on local
grain crops, soil and water pollution prevention, insect identification, solar energy, and the
Lewis and Clark visit to our area. Between 50 and 100 students were taught each topic in small
groups.
Family Fun Night: The Susanna Wesley
Learning Center utilizes the Bowden
Community Center in Charleston for
tutoring, meal supplementation, and sports
training for local youths. At a Family Fun
Night for their participants, 55 children and
teens participated in a hands-on lesson on
local grain crops and making ‘grain art’ to
take home.
Time Machine Family Night: The Hearnes
Elementary School hosted a ‘Time Machine
Family Night’ event for their students. At a
learning station 65 children examined
materials in a series of bowls to learn how
soil develops by traveling through time.
Students examining the next
stage of soil development
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Business Development
Richard Proffer
Business Development Specialist
As entrepreneurs and innovators, Missouri’s small businesses are becoming a
more diverse group that continues to make the state’s economy productive.
There are approximately 500,000 small businesses in Missouri. Nearly 98
percent of all businesses with employees are categorized as small businesses. In
assisting the owners and managers of those businesses, MU Extension
contributes to a county’s economic development through growth in jobs, sales, innovation, technology
development and commercialization.
Number of 2015
Mississippi
County Learners
Program
What Action Did The
Specialist Take in
Mississippi County?
How Does This Work Make Mississippi County and
Missouri Better?
4 clients in
Mississippi County
2 male/female owned
1 male owned
2 Minority owned
26 hours of
counseling
with
Mississippi
County
residents
Assisted clients obtaining
overall $7,100 sales
increase.
Small businesses who work with Missouri Small
Business and Technology Development Centers return
$1.85 to the Federal Government for every federal
dollar appropriated, and return $2.72 to the state.
(America’s SBDC)
4 businesses in
Mississippi County
received counseling
services
Assisted in the starting of 1
new business.
Assisted our clients
obtaining $13,000 in new
assets for their business.
Businesses that work with a Small Business
Development Center (SBDC) have an average 4x
higher sales than businesses that do not work with
SBDCs. (America’s SBDC)
The clients purchased new assets for their business
which produced growth for the local economy.
Housing and Energy Conservation
Frank Wideman
Natural Resource Engineer
Weatherization Workshop: Energy conservation is important for both our
environment and for our family and business economy. Eight local people
attended a home and business weatherization workshop in Charleston. The
learning was focused on low-cost home energy savings tips and tools.
Solar Energy Workshop: Four people from Mississippi County participated in
a Stoddard County workshop on how to utilize solar energy at their homes and businesses.
17
Continuing Education
Fire and Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI)
(Twenty four participants were from Mississippi County)
MU FRTI is charged with providing comprehensive continuing professional education and
training to Missouri’s fire service and emergency response personnel. The institute has a direct
impact on the well-being and protection of Missouri’s 29,000 firefighters and the 6 million
people they serve. Courses prepare firefighters for medical emergencies, hazardous materials
response and disaster preparedness and mitigation, as well as fires. In FY 2015, MU FRTI trained
firefighters representing all 114 Missouri counties for a total enrollment of 13,005 fire and
emergency responders — 152,585 hours of training. In FY 2015, MU FRTI served 1,090 fire
departments, organizations and agencies. For more information, visit mufrti.org.
MU Conference Office
(Twenty two participants were from Mississippi County)
The MU Conference Office provides high-quality, professional, full-service meeting
management for a variety of noncredit educational programs, such as conferences, workshops,
seminars and symposia. Whether a meeting is hosted on campus, in out-state Missouri or
anywhere in the world, the office’s professional staff provides assistance to create the best
learning environment for participants. In FY 2015, the MU Conference Office registered 14,219
people for conferences on teacher education in math, science and writing; pesticide applicator
training; youth leadership programs for students with disabilities; and many other topics. For
more information, visit muconf.missouri.edu.
Missouri Training Institute (MTI)
(one participant was from Mississippi County)
The MTI provides continuing education programs in business, custom-designed training
programs, and consulting services for business and industry, public and nonprofit organizations,
and educational institutions. Training programs cover human resource management,
supervision, management, leadership, team building, effective decision-making, dealing with
generational differences and business writing. The institute’s consulting services cover human
resources, strategic planning, board development and board retreats. In FY 2015, 10,249
people enrolled in the institute’s 427 programs. For more information, visit mti.missouri.edu.
Other Continuing Education Programs:
Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI)
Continuing Medical Education and Physician Lifelong Learning (CME/PLL)
Visit medicine.missouri.edu/cme/about.html for more information.
MU Nursing Outreach
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
For more information, visit extension.missouri.edu/learnforlife.
Veterinary Medical Extension and Continuing Education (VMECE)
Labor Education
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Expenses and Funding Sources
Mississippi County Extension
Actual Expenses in 2015
Breakdown by Category
$36,467
CATEGORY
$ AMOUNT
PERCENTAGE
Office Support Staff
19,665
54
Benefits and Taxes
3490
10
Travel
2370
6
Communications
1000
3
Office Supplies
3100
9
Equipment and Repairs
2990
8
Miscellaneous
3850
10
Sources of All Funds in 2015
Extension Programs in Mississippi County
Univ. of Missouri
Mississippi County
Donations
Fees
Total:
$217,000
$37,000
$670
$1040
$255,710
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The University of Missouri Benefits Mississippi County
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If You Want to Help
If you like the service MU Extension provides…
 Tell your friends and relatives!
 Remember Extension when you…
–
Vote – Extension is funded by county, state and federal taxes
–
Want to contribute funds to a good cause
 Donate to Extension to support local programing
 Mississippi County endowment / bequests / 4-H Foundation
- https://donatetomu.missouri.edu/Extension/
–
Want to help
 The Extension Council is a volunteer, elected body
 4-H / Youth programs need volunteer leaders
-
Youth need wise role models to look up to and learn from
Mississippi County Extension Center – Phone: 573-683-6129
Email: Mississippico@missouri.edu
Website: http://outreach.missouri.edu/mississippi/
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