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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


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,


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.


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.


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)


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.


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.


Programs for Agricultural Producers

MU Extension Regional Livestock

Specialist Amie Schleicher teaching the

SMQA certification class.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.



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


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.


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


A Glance Back at 2015

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/

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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


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

Documents

2015 Atchison County Extension Council Annual Reportextension.missouri.edu/atchison/documents/Annual reports/2015... · 2015 Atchison County Extension Council Annual Report ... We