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Transcript of 2015 Atchison County Extension Council Annual Reportextension.missouri.edu/atchison/documents/Annual...
2015 Atchison County
Extension Council
Annual Report
Equal opportunity is and shall be provided 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 Vietnam-era veter-
an. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or military
organizations associated with the armed forces of the United States of America.
Letter from the Vice
Provost and Director 2
MU Extension in
Atchison County 3
Providing Education
About Agriculture to the
Public
4,5
Taxpayer Assistance 5
Century Farms 6,7
Programs for
Agricultural Producers 8,9
4-H is Growing by Leaps
and Bounds
10,
11
Youth Learn About
Technology in
Agriculture
12,
13
Family Nutrition
Education Program 13
Agriculturally Based
Tourism and Product
Marketing
14
Mink (Missouri, Iowa,
Nebraska, Kansas)
Board Training and
Action Development
15
Agronomic Programs 16
A Glance Back at 2015 17
Staff, Council Members
and Budget Overview 18
Providing Education About
Agriculture to the Public
Over the past several years, agriculture has been portrayed more
negatively in the press. Often times the press reports only tell part of
the story, twist some of the facts or just outright do not report the truth.
Most people in the United States are at least two or three generations
removed from any direct contact with agriculture thus what they read
and hear on the news is the only information they have on the subject.
Even in rural Northwest Missouri where agriculture is the main
economic driver, most people have a very limited understanding of
modern agriculture.
To address this education shortfall, the faculty at the Atchison County
MU Extension Center in conjunction with the MU Graves-Chapple
Research Center started a new annual event titled What’s in Our Big
Back Yard. The event was designed to use hands-on visual displays to
provide education to the general public on a variety of agriculture
related topics. Learning stations were manned by MU Extension
regional specialists, as well as partners from Missouri Department of
Conservation, Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Soybean
Association, Buchanan County Master Gardeners and several local
experts.
Continued on Page 4
Page 2 2015 Atchison County
VICE PROVOST’S OFFICE 108 Whitten Hall
Columbia, MO 65211 PHONE: (573) 882-7477
University of Missouri, Lincoln University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Local Extension Councils Cooperating EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ADA INSTITUTIONS
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 com-
munities.
MU Extension is known as a valued and trusted resource for Missourians, touching the lives of nearly 2.3 mil-
lion 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 medi-
cal 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 Communi-
ty 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 im-
pact 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
Page 3 2015 Atchison County
Dear County Commissioners and Residents of Atchison County,
We are pleased to present you with a copy of the 2015 annual report compiled by the Atchison
County Extension Council. This report is a brief overview for some of the educational programs
conducted by extension specialists for the citizens of Atchison County. This annual report is not
intended to give the full scope of all activities in the county. It is an attempt to provide information
regarding the major programming efforts to provide educational programs to serve the needs of
Atchison County residents.
University of Missouri Extension has had a long and proud history in Atchison County. Early
records show the first Extension worker began in Atchison County in 1917 and there has been
continuous representation in the county since the spring of 1919.
The Atchison County University of Missouri Extension council and staff would like to thank the
Atchison County commissioners for their support and funding for programs during this past year. In
turn, the council and staff remain committed to improving people’s lives by helping them meet the
opportunities and challenges of the 21st century with research-based education and information.
We do this by focusing programming efforts on local issues identified in county deliberative group
sessions.
Current programming efforts statewide focus on
agricultural profitability and viability, building family
and individual strengths, building human resources,
business, community and economic development,
enhancing health and nutrition, environmental quality
and stewardship and youth development. The success
of MU Extension programming in Atchison County
would not be possible without the help and support of
individual volunteers, groups, organizations,
businesses, local and county government officials, and
the research-based information provided by the land-
grant university system.
We appreciate the continuing support that has been provided to extension as we work to enrich
people’s lives. We hope that this report provides a greater understanding about University of
Missouri Extension’s programming efforts in Atchison County.
Respectfully,
Page 4 2015 Atchison County
Providing Education About Agriculture to the Public (continued from page 1)
Some of the learning stations included:
What is MU Extension and what can it do
for you
Unmanned aerial vehicles and their use in
agriculture
Using satellite technology in agriculture -
auto steer, precision ag, and variable rate
All you ever wanted to know about the
meaning of genetically modified organisms
(GMO) and organic
Lawn and turf care, tips and tricks
Different cuts of meat, choices, and
selections
Loess Hills restoration using native plants
and grasses
Stretching your grocery dollars
Vegetable gardening
Honey production for the homeowner
Heirloom, hybrid or GMO? What’s the
difference?
Raising chickens and rabbits at home
Rainfall simulator to demonstrate how
farmers protect the soil and environment
Energy conservation for the home
Procurement technical assistance center—
how to get government contracts
The 4H - it is not what you grew up with
Golden Triangle Energy - producing
pharmaceutical quality ethanol and co-
products
A farm tour highlighting some of the
research at the center
Approximately 100 people attended the
inaugural event held on a beautiful Saturday in
October. A free lunch was sponsored by the
Missouri Farm Bureau and the Graves-Chapple
Research Center. Participants indicated that they
“learned a lot” and that “I will know the whole
story the next time I hear about that”. Feedback
was overwhelming positive, so we hope the
event in 2016 will attract more people.
Continued on Page 5
Attendees at this year’s event learn about
various varieties of tomatoes and other gar-
dening tips from the Buchanan County chapter
of Master Gardeners.
Students and advisors from the local FFA
chapters organized a “Kids Corral” to
entertain youths at the event. Tarkio FFA
advisor Dustin Lambertson takes a group of
kids on a trolley ride in this picture.
Page 5 2015 Atchison County
Nineteen income tax returns were completed and
e-filed in Atchison County during the 2015 tax
filing season by Meredith Berry, MU Extension
family financial education specialist, and VITA
volunteer Bobbi Myers.
Eleven returns filed were white couples filing as
married filing jointly. The remaining eight
returns were filed as single. Adults on the total
number of tax returns consisted of 12 white
males and 14 white females. Total refunds for
the tax returns prepared in Atchison County
were $15,297.
In Rock Port, Dr. Berry and Ms. Myers worked
with the Atchison County Extension office to
schedule appointments for low income families
and senior citizens. In addition to tax refunds,
some filers received a saver’s credit and child
tax credit. Taxpayers also received educational
materials which explained IRS programs
designed to help low income earners, parents of
young children and children of college age.
When you support the Missouri Taxpayer
Education initiative, taxpayers save an average
of $200 in tax preparation fees per year, which
leads to reduced family debt, benefitting
communities by stabilizing the county tax base.
Taxpayers served - 26
Combined adjusted gross income - $316,280
Federal refunds - $15,297
Federal taxes owed - $2,914
Missouri refunds - $3,938
Missouri taxes owed - $197
Earned income credit - $6,068
American Opportunity Credit - $496
Savers Credit - $100
Child Tax Credit - $100
Taxpayer Assistance
Providing Education About Agriculture to the Public (continued)
One of the activities at the event was selling pink pumpkins with all proceeds going to fund cancer
awareness programs. Guests were allowed to roam the plot and pick the pumpkins of their choice.
Over $350 was raised from the activity with a donation made to the American Cancer Society.
Page 6 2015 Atchison County
Missouri Century Farms
The University of Missouri Atchison County
Extension Council is pleased to honor three
Missouri Century Farms this year. The 2015
honorees are Marion and Janice Pierce of Fairfax,
Brenda Whitford Scamman of Rock Port, and
Melvin Eugene and Thelma Jean Miles of Fairfax.
Marion and Janice Pierce’s century farm which is
80 acres was originally purchased in 1908 by
Janice’s grandparents, Fredrick and Elva Fischer.
Brenda Whitford Scamman is one of the owners
of Whitford Family Farms, L.L.C. which includes
80 acres and was originally purchased in 1884 by
her great grandfather, James Thomas Whitford.
Melvin Eugene and Thelma Jean Miles’ 120 acre
century farm was originally purchased in 1915 by
Melvin’s grandfather, John Hildred Miles.
Janice Pierce and family hold their Century
Farm sign along with MU Extension Council
Vice Chair Dale Dickkut and Missouri Farm
Bureau State President Blake Hurst. (Photo
by Atchison County Mail.)
Brenda Whitford Scamman and family hold
their Century Farm sign along with MU
Extension Council Vice Chair Dale Dickkut
and Missouri Farm Bureau State President
Blake Hurst. (Photo by Atchison County
Mail.)
(Continued on Page 7)
Page 7 2015 Atchison County
Missouri Century Farms (continued)
You will see quite a number of the Missouri
Century Farm signs in Atchison County.
Guidelines used in selection include: same
family must have owned the farm for 100 years
or more as of December 31 of current year, the
family shall consist of direct descendants (if in
corporation or partnership, one of the principal
stockholders must be a direct descendant), and
the farm shall consist of no less than 40 acres
of the original land and shall make a financial
contribution to an overall farm income.
The Missouri Century Farm program’s history
dates back to 1976 as a result of the Missouri
Committee for Agriculture. The committee’s
purpose was to organize the American
Revolution bicentennial celebration in
Missouri. One activity that was initiated by the
committee was the “Centennial Farm” project
which awarded certificates to persons owning
farms that have been in the same family for 100
years or more. A total of 2,850 Missouri farm
owners in 105 counties were recognized as
Melvin Eugene and Thelma Jean Miles
and family hold their Century Farm sign
along with MU Extension Council Vice
Chair Dale Dickkut and Missouri Farm
Bureau State President Blake Hurst.
(Photo by Atchison County Mail.)
Centennial Farm owners. Since Missouri began
the program in 1976, more than 8,000 century
farms have been recognized.
In 2008, the Missouri Farm Bureau joined MU
Extension and the MU College of Agriculture,
Food and Natural Resources as a program
sponsor. “Missouri Farm Bureau is a proud
partner in the recognition of century farms,”
said Blake Hurst, president. “We applaud the
hard-working farm families that have kept us
fed and clothed for generations. They represent
an important part of our heritage and laid a
foundation for the bounty Americans enjoy
everyday.”
There are currently 120 Missouri Century
Farms recognized in Atchison County. If you
are interested in having your farm designated as
a Missouri Century Farm, contact the Atchison
County MU Extension Center in the spring of
2016 for application forms.
Page 8 2015 Atchison County
Fence law program
There’s an old saying that goes, “Good fences
make good neighbors”. This may be true, but
what constitutes a good and legal fence might
not be totally clear. A program offered by
University of Missouri Extension in Atchison
County on March 24 at the Velma Houts Fair
Building in Rock Port was offered to help
landowners understand Missouri’s complex
fence law.
The program was presented via a live webinar
with multiple sites in Missouri (including
Atchison County) by Joe Koenen, agricultural
business specialist with University of Missouri
Extension in Putnam County. Koenen is an
expert on Missouri’s fence law and has educated
landowners across Missouri on the fence law for
over 20 years. According to Koenen, “Missouri
continues to have a very complicated fence law,
in large part due to the fact that two separate
laws cover the state depending on the county
that your land is in. Another problem is that both
laws are subject to interpretation and can be a
little different, depending on the county you’re
in.
A comparison of both laws was provided at the
program. With the live format, attendees were
able to ask questions of Koenen, including some
about their specific situations.
At the meeting in Atchison County, four people
attended. Evaluation results from all of the sites
indicated that 100% would recommend the
program to others, 50% will review the actual
law and printed materials, 100% now know there
is more than one fence law in Missouri, 100%
know the law in the county where their land is
located, and 50% will maintain a portion of the
fence differently as a result of this class.
Show-Me Quality Assurance (SMQA) training
for 4-H members
4-H youths enrolled in livestock projects are
required to complete the Show-Me Quality
Assurance (SMQA) certification. The program
teaches food quality assurance and includes fun,
hands-on activities. Amie Schleicher, regional
livestock specialist, taught a session at the
Velma Houts Fair Building in Rock Port on
April 28. Six 4-H members attended along with
several parents. Food safety is a major concern
for consumers and this program teaches our
youngest livestock producers how they play an
important role in ensuring that the meat they
produce is a safe and wholesome product. A
comparison of pre- and post-tests indicated an
improvement in knowledge of the key concepts.
Those who couldn’t attend the
face-to-face training had the option of
completing the training online. A total of 18 4-H
members were trained in SMQA in the
2014-15 4-H year.
(Continued on Page 9)
Programs for Agricultural Producers
MU Extension Regional Livestock
Specialist Amie Schleicher teaching the
SMQA certification class.
Page 9 2015 Atchison County
Regional MU Extension programs attended
by Atchison County livestock producers
Three-State Beef Conference—January 14,
Albany—at the 30th annual conference,
producers heard the latest on reevaluating
supplementation strategies, rethinking our
forage systems, and the financial impacts of
fertility and infertility in the current cattle
market
Winter Ag Marketing Outlook meeting—
January 21, Rock Port and other locations across
the state—market and weather outlook from
MU Extension crop, livestock, and weather
experts
Atchison County Ag Update—January 23, Rock
Port—presentations by all regional ag specialists
covering the county, including a discussion on
“Conversion of Pasture to Novel (Beneficial)
Endophyte Tall Fescue”, which is an area of
recent emphasis by MU Extension
Small Acreage and Land Entrepreneur (S.A.L.E.
conference)—March 7, St. Joseph—a wide
variety of topics of importance to acreage
owners, including backyard poultry
Focus on Forages meeting—August 6,
Albany—forage production is a popular topic
with producers and the 7th annual meeting was
no exception; the program included a tour of the
cover crop plots (20 different varieties), tour of
cool-season grass plots (comparison of novel-
endophyte varieties, and comparison of
Kentucky-31, orchardgrass and smooth
bromegrass), economics of novel-endophyte
fescue varieties, basics of forage establishment,
tour of “forage system” plots, summer annual
and cool-season plot yield results.
Beef Producers Seminar—November 12,
Stanberry—this program has been offered for
several decades and its focus in 2015 was on the
production of quality beef (considered by many
experts to be the competitive advantage of U.S.
beef), with nationally-recognized speakers
covering topics like the Missouri beef industry’s
place in the production of quality beef in the
US, and achieving quality beef production
through management and genetics.
Opportunities for engaging with the public
about agriculture
Fairfax Elementary Ag Day—April 29,
Fairfax—the Fairfax FFA chapter invited local
experts to speak on a variety of topics related to
ag safety for all of the Fairfax elementary
students; this included a station on animal
safety, and students got to learn about a number
of different animals including a miniature
donkey, a pig, a goat and her kids, bottle lambs,
and baby chicks
What’s in Our Big Back Yard—October 3,
Corning—at this first annual event at the MU
Graves-Chapple Research Center, youth and
adults got to learn more about poultry and
rabbits with live animals, discussion,
educational materials, and fun, hands-on
activities, part of an overall effort to educate and
interact with the public about agriculture.
Programs for Agricultural Producers (continued)
MU Extension
Regional Live-
stock Specialist
Amie Schleicher
discusses how
to properly
raise rabbits
with an attendee
at the What’s In
Our Big Back
Yard field day.
Page 10 2015 Atchison County
Upon arrival in 2014, 4-H Youth Program
Associate (YPA) Sam O’Riley had the goal to
grow the 4-H program in number of
memberships. In 2014 there were 40 youth
members and 16 adult members. In 2015 youth
membership was up to 55 and adult
membership went down a bit to 12.
These youths participated in four 4-H clubs:
Atchison County Robotics 4-H Club, club
leader Dale Dickkut; Farmer City 4-H Club,
club leader Julie Joesting; Lucky Clovers 4-H
Club, club leader Shannon Tharp; and
Wolverines 4-H Club, club leaders Sarah
Osburn and Holly Barnes. 4-H club and county
involvement offer long-term educational
experiences in which members learn life skills
such as decision making, public speaking, and
working with others.
In March Atchison County 4-H gathered
together for a pot luck and presentation of the
Monsanto grant for $2,500 from winners Reed
and Paula Smith of Fairfax. The Smiths
participated in 4-H growing up and have
grandchildren currently in the program. When
they were told they were awarded the grant to
an organization of their choice that helped the
community, they chose Atchison County 4-H in
hope of helping the program to grow and be
more active in the county’s schools.
The annual fundraiser, the Atchison County
4-H Carnival, was held on March 20 at the
Velma Houts Fair Building in Rock Port. The
Wolverine 4-H Club was in charge of
organizing the carnival this year. The theme
was “Just do it…come to the Atchison County
4-H fair.” The event is open to the public and
attendees were encouraged to wear their
favorite sports attire. There were sports themed
games and prizes as well as a sports themed
concession stand. During the evening the public
was able to vote for candidates from each 4-H
club for a king and queen which would be in the
Atchison County Fair parade and hand out
ribbons and trophies at the livestock show. The
proceeds from the fundraiser help support the
4-H activities throughout the year.
(Continued on page 11)
4-H is Growing by Leaps and Bounds
4-H king and
queen, Cody
Davis and
Jasey Smith.
Reed and Paula Smith with their grand-
children who are members of the Wolver-
ine 4-H Club and YPA Sam O’Riley.
Page 11 2015 Atchison County
4-H is Growing by Leaps and Bounds (continued)
Atchison County 4-H Achievement Day was
held July 27 in conjunction with the Atchison
County Fair. This event followed the same
format as in past years, offering project exhibits,
conference judging, general demonstrations,
working demonstrations, public speaking,
fashion revue, and talent. Twenty six youth
members exhibited a total of 100 projects.
Seventy blue ribbons, nine red ribbons, and 19
Clover Kid ribbons were awarded. Out of the 70
blue ribbons, 30 were awarded state fair ribbons
and the opportunity to represent Atchison
County in the 4-H building at the Missouri State
Fair in Sedalia, Missouri. Atchison County is
very proud of the hard work that the 4-H youth
have done this year!
For 2015 the 4-H Council had a goal of reaching
out to more youths by making more of a
presence at the county schools. During National
4-H Week from October 19-23, the schools had
flyers, tattoos, stickers, book marks, bags, and
wristbands handed out to them. The feedback
from this was amazing and this enrollment year
we are seeing an increase in numbers from
people who heard about 4-H through the school.
Sam O’Riley, youth program associate, is also
programming at two out of the three schools in
the county with anti-bullying curriculum to help
youth learn conflict resolution and bullying,
communication, etiquette, teamwork, and
cultural awareness.
Other successful activities for Atchison County
4-H included livestock project weigh days,
Show-Me Quality Assurance (SMQA)
certification, desserts at fair board fish fry,
county and regional livestock shows, regional
4-H summer youth camps at Crowder State Park
in Trenton and at Mozingo Lake in Maryville,
and an end-of-the year celebration which
included family bowling and a pizza party with
recognition for the number of years in 4-H.
Students at Fairfax R-3 participating in
the anti-bullying curriculum.
Lucky Clover Club members selling their
desserts at the fair board fish fry.
Page 12 2015 Atchison County
Three hundred sixty five high school students
and 46 teachers/chaperones from ten area
schools attended the annual student field day at
the Graves-Chapple Research Center on
September 18. The goal for the event is to show
some of the various aspects of agriculture to
demonstrate to our youths that there are many
career opportunities in agriculture and that
agriculture is more than just raising crops and
livestock.
Each learning station was designed to provide
hands on learning opportunities for the students
on some of the cutting-edge technology and
practices used in today’s agriculture and how it
affects their everyday lives.
The learning stations were:
The many uses of corn in today’s world
Restoration of the Loess Hills with native
plants
Chainsaw safety
Utilizing crop sensors in agriculture
Safety around harvested grain
Legumes as cover crops for nitrogen
fixation
Demonstrating the digestive tract of cattle
using a cannulated cow
Trees of Missouri
Pork quality assurance program for pork
production
Representative from MU with opportunities
in agriculture at MU
A lunch of hotdogs and hamburgers was
provided by the research center and local area
businesses, and prepared by the Rock Port
Rotary Club. Volunteers from the Atchison
County MU Extension Council helped serve
the meal.
(Continued on Page 13)
Youth Learn About Technology
in Agriculture
Bob Kelly, MU Extension regional
agribusiness specialist, demonstrates how to
be safe around harvested grain.
MU Extension Regional Agronomy
Specialists Wayne Flanary and Kurt Nagel
use plants to teach participants about
various diseases and insects that can affect
local crops.
University of Missouri
Extension Family
Nutrition Education
Programs (FNEP)
reached 689 low-
income participants
with nutrition
education in Atchison
County during 2015.
FNEP provides information on nutrition, food
safety, and physical activity for lifelong health
and fitness.
Nutrition education for youths 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 2015, 437 youths through direct contact
and 292 adults and youths through indirect
contact were served through schools,
community groups and agencies. The following
is a list of the locations where participants were
served:
Community Services Inc.
Fairfax RIII Elementary
Tarkio Elementary
Rock Port Elementary
Family Nutrition Education Program
All the participants were asked to complete a
questionnaire after the event to gauge their
understanding of the topics both before and after
the event using the following scale: 1 - no
knowledge, 2 - some knowledge, 3 - average
knowledge, 4 - above average knowledge, 5 -
excellent knowledge.
The average score before the field day was a 2.6
and after was a 4.0, which is a 54.5% increase in
knowledge of the topics after the event. This
indicates a good transfer of knowledge occurred
as a result of the workshop.
Youth Learn About Technology
in Agriculture (continued)
Using sensors and monitors, MU Extension
Regional Natural Resource Engineer Kent
Shannon is able to demonstrate how farmers
use technology to reduce input costs, protect
the environment and increase their yields.
Page 13 2015 Atchison County
Page 14 2015 Atchison County
Learners
Marketing
Rural
NW Mis-
souri
What Did They
Learn?
How Did
Participants
Benefit?
How Does This Make
NW Missouri
Counties Better?
Approxi-
mately 200
adults inter-
ested in an
agricultural-
ly based
business
opportunity
and in prod-
uct market-
ing attended
the MU
Graves-
Chapple
Research
Center Field
Day session.
The partici-
pants includ-
ed farm
operators
and farm
service or-
ganization
staff who
engaged in
conversa-
tions about
emerging
business
trends and
how digital
media is
changing
business
operational
processes.
Developing an
agricultural
business activ-
ity and explor-
ing ways to
best market
the products
were the focal
points used in
the individual
and group
presentations.
In addition,
access to
digital media
resources such
as the land
plat maps
available
through the
University of
Missouri’s
digital library
was provided
to the partici-
pants.
Visual
presentations
about strate-
gies used to
market agri-
cultural
related
products were
showcased.
Participants were
encouraged to
develop a simple
business plan to
market their
agritourism
projects and to
refine how they
will market their
products to their
changing
communities.
The access to the
digital media
library at MU was
frequently noted
by the participants
as a “welcomed
resource.”
As participants
learned how the
need for
marketing
agricultural
products in a
variety of ways is
Increasing,
participants would
often return and
ask for more de-
tails relating to the
procedures used to
showcase and
display certain
types of products.
Tourism promotion and
development is an
emerging program in the
northwest rural Missouri
areas. As a result,
participants were
provided information on
how to develop and
implement safety
strategies in their
agritourism marketing
plans and operations.
All participants were
provided examples of
emerging agribusiness
products that are being
marketed in current
marketplaces in unique
displays. The examples
were noted by many
participants as “...that is
interesting how a change
in display methods can
create a new look in the
marketing process.”
Internet and social media
agritourism marketing
was noted by many
participants as an
increasing opportunity
for their consideration.
Several attendees indi-
cated their purchasing
behaviors are changing
based on their use of the
internet as a shopping
resource. As a result,
they realized that their
marketing strategies
needed to be updated.
The attendees from the
northwest Missouri areas
reported they were
“catching up” on both
their marketing strategies
and purchasing venues.
Therefore, learning new
ways to showcase salable
products through the
internet and social media
venues was increasing
both their interest in
gaining new marketing
skills and their purchasing
online.
As product sales increase,
a participant said, “You
shared with me last year
about a way to consider
marketing my product. I
went home and did what
was suggested and I have
done well in selling that
product.”
Another presenter at the
event shared “I never
knew the University of
Missouri digital library
existed until you shared
that resource. I use it all
the time now.”
The increase in marketing
both product and
agritourism experiences in
northwest Missouri
increases opportunities for
additional revenue
generation of existing and
entrepreneurial start-up
businesses.
Agriculturally Based Tourism and Product Marketing
Page 15 2015 Atchison County
MINK (Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas)
Board Training and Action Development
Learners
Collaborative
Programming
What Did They
Learn?
How Did
Participants Bene-
fit?
How Does This
Make NW Missouri
Counties Better?
Members of the
MINK Missouri
River Corridor,
Inc. board
participated in a
training
facilitated by
extension staff
within the
four-state region.
During the
training and
follow-up
sessions, the
board explored
ways to ensure
their public
values were
being
incorporated into
all current
action plans.
Extension staff
members were
the planners and
facilitators of the
board training
program.
Keeping in mind
the 1,115,015
four-state MINK
population
represents rural
America’s
diversity, the
board’s training
plan stressed the
necessity to
emphasize not
only the board’s
volunteer
corporate
structure but to
also continue the
emphasis on the
rural life values
and assets
throughout the
MINK region.
To ensure each
state’s
representation,
the board will
also continue to
rotate quarterly
membership
meetings in each
of the four states.
The facilitators
reviewed Robert’s
Rules of Order
and added a
discussion about
how each of the
four states
emphasize key
communication
points.
Because the
MINK region
includes such
diverse audiences
within the four
states, the board
reaffirmed its
commitment to
use its web site as
the primary “go
to” resource for
all MINK
audiences to
review meeting
minutes and all
current and future
event
announcements.
The board training
emphasized not only
following the
standardized public
meeting protocols, but
to also continue
emphasizing
opportunities and
assets within the
MINK region.
Board members were
provided opportuni-
ties to question and
share comments
voiced by the mem-
bership. This assess-
ment activity
affirmed the current
committees were
addressing the
relevant issues.
The board was
encouraged by the
committee reports and
noted areas where
future action would
have a positive im-
pact.
The public value
statement on the
website states the
MINK board and
membership’s
message: “The
Missouri River
Corridor, Inc. works
as a multi-state
collaboration to
leverage Resources and
spark new investments
to support growth and
opportunity for rural
communities in the
areas of housing,
entrepreneurship,
transportation and
tourism to reverse the
downward economic
and demographic
trends.” These four
areas now have active,
working committees
within the organization.
The MINK board
training participants
reaffirmed its public
value statement.
Page 16 2015 Atchison County
Programs
Topic
What Did They
Learn
What Action Did
Participants Take or
How Did They
Benefit?
How Does This Make
Atchison County and
Missouri Better?
The value of all
crops including
row crops,
forages and
commercial
horticulture are
$406 million in
Holt, Atchison,
Andrew,
Nodaway,
Clinton,
Buchanan, and
DeKalb
Counties. To
maintain a
competitive,
viable agricul-
ture requires the
latest research,
education and
resources to
continue its
growth.
Programs
include:
Management of
genetically
improved crops
Missouri crop
management
systems
Plant protection
Nutrient
management
planning
Forage
production and
management
Crop
management
Forage
management
Fertilizer
management
Pest
management
The agro-
nomic pro-
gramming
focused on
timely
delivery of
crop man-
agement
information
and research
to the seven
counties in
the NW
region.
The pro-
gramming
effort is ac-
complished
through
media such
as radio,
newspaper,
newsletters,
meetings
and
answering
growers’
questions.
New precision ag
technology and
biotechnology
and how
technology fits
into a grower’s
operation
New hybrids and
varieties through
our testing
program
Improved weed
control research
and teaching
New weed,
insect, and
disease pests that
potentially can
attack crops and
utilizing our pest
monitoring
program
Product evalua-
tion to determine
if the product is
effective and how
to adopt and uti-
lize this in a
grower’s opera-
tion
Pesticide safety
Product costs and
determining their
cost-effectiveness
Choosing and
Applying
fertilizers
Formal surveys of
growers’ attitudes to
teaching in formal
meetings as follows:
Over the past eight
years, the value of the
agronomic meetings
rated a 4.25 on a scale
of 1 to 5 with 5 being
excellent and 1 being
poor.
Also, data summarized
over the past eight
years indicated that
growers would
recommend this
meeting to other
growers rated a 4.38
average on the same
scale.
Speaker being
knowledgeable was
4.58 on the same
scale.
Agronomic programs
vary with methods of
delivery. The result is
an action or a decision
and knowledge is
gained by growers.
Also, growers request
what the research
indicates, what the
advantages and
disadvantages are of
using a product, a
strategy, or sometimes
how to address a
situation or problem.
Winter Ag Update
meetings focus on critical
topics for row crop and
livestock producers
enabling them to be
competitive.
Private pesticide applicator
training provides growers
with the knowledge to
apply pesticides safely
while protecting the
environment.
Cooperation with
commodity groups helps
growers expand markets
and produce food not only
locally but globally.
Certified crop advisor
meetings provide technical
information to crop
advisors when they work
with area growers.
Graves-Chapple Research
Center and Hundley-
Whaley Research Center
provide the latest research
to help growers remain
competitive and provide an
economic driver for
northwest Missouri.
As world population
continues to increase, the
need for food production
continues to grow. It is
critical to continue to
increase crop yields while
maintaining competitive-
ness to increase food pro-
duction in an environmen-
tally responsible manner.
Agronomic Programs
Federal and state funds provide salaries and benefits for professional staff assigned to the county, expenses for
professional development, official mail, and cost-sharing on computer technology. The University also
provides educational materials and faculty support for extension programs. For the past year, 2015, University
of Missouri Extension investment for direct support of three professional staff and one half-time youth
program associate amounted to over $276,900 in Atchison County.
Atchison County MU Extension
Council Members
Officers:
Tim Turnbull, chairman
Dale Dickkut, vice chairman
Carol Herron, secretary
Shelby Hurst, treasurer
District 1 - Tarkio School District
Shelby Hurst Tim Turnbull
Dennis Martin Roger Uptergrove
District 2 - Rock Port School District
Dale Dickkut Tom Knierim
Carol Herron Richard Stephens
Buddy Husing
District 3 - Fairfax School District
Doug Garrison Bob Sefrit
Josh Oswald
Appointed Members County Court David Chapin
4-H Advisory Julie Joesting, Shannon Tharp
Farm Bureau Ryan Harms
Atchison County MU Extension Center
201 East Hwy 136
Rock Port MO 64482
Phone: 660-744-6231
Email: [email protected]
http://extension.missouri.edu/atchison/
Facebook - University of Missouri
Extension Atchison County
Office faculty and staff:
Jim Crawford, natural resource engineer and
county program director
Amie Schleicher, livestock specialist
Jerry Baker, community development specialist
Samantha O’Riley, 4-H youth program associate
Janet Linville, secretary/office manager
Specialists and staff assigned to serve
Atchison County:
Karma Metzgar, regional director
Wayne Flanary, agronomy
Randa Doty, agriculture business
Penny Crawford, regional coordinator, FNEP
Connie Neal, housing and environmental design
Constance Mowrer, FNEP program manager
Tom Fowler, horticulture
Annette Deering, 4-H youth
Regina Ripley, nutrition program associate
Meredith Berry, family financial education
Clint Dougherty, procurement technical assistance
Page 18 2015 Atchison County
INCOME 2015
BUDGET
County commissioners $44,660
Rent 1,900
Resale items/soil tests 600
Postage allocation 2,520
Fundraising 2,000
Miscellaneous 220
TOTAL $51,900
EXPENSES 2015
BUDGET
Secretary/bookkeeper $21,470
3-wk temp. sec. and janitor 2,133
Benefits 3,104
Travel 4,890
Supplies/materials 7,155
Equip. new/maintenance 1,000
Ins., bond, adv. 1,040
Utilities/rent 6,458
½ time youth program
associate support 4,650
TOTAL $51,900