Annual report designed and edited by David Burton, county engagement specialist with MU Extension in Greene County.

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Greene County Extension Center Located inside the Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center 2400 S. Scenic Ave. Springfield, Mo. 65807 Tel: (417) 881-8909 http://extension.missouri.edu/greene

"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 veteran. 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."

Vision statement University of Missouri Extension is a valued and trusted educational solution to improve the quality of life in Missouri, the nation and the world.

Mission statement Our distinct land-grant mission 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.

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January 30, 2021

Dear Greene County Commissioners and Residents:

As all readers know, this past year was unprecedented in many ways. We began the year with our office fully staffed and plans for a historic year of programming. When the shelter-in-place order came, along with the university's guidelines on number restrictions in any classes or events we would host, everything changed. Not only was our physical office closed for several months, but we had some staff depart, we had to cancel all of our revenue-producing events, and student fees began to dry up. Then some amazing things started to happen thanks to the creativity of our staff.

• Our specialists adapted programs quickly to online offerings and pivoted in remarkable ways to continue educating hundreds of county residents. (See demographics on page 8)

• Financially, we charted a new course and finished in the black.

• Our programs reached new audiences in the county and beyond.

• We implemented a "mini-grant" system that funded new programs and brought a new level of engagement.

• Over 25,000 Greene County residents received direct educational assistance from MU Extension this year.

• Our surveys show that our education helped county residents improve their farms, make more money, stay in business, start a business, improve their health, deal better with family stress, and improve their quality of life, families, and neighborhoods.

• Our specialists dove into grant writing and submitted grants worth over $8.7 million in 2020. Over $7.3 million in grants were awarded from those efforts to fund future extension work.

On behalf of the Greene County Extension Council, we thank the County Commissioners for their support in 2020. We look forward to their support in 2021 as well. Submitted by

Moran Ash Greg Boehne Council Secretary Council Chairman

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Greene County Extension Council 2400 S. Scenic Ave, Springfield, Mo. 65807

Telephone: (417) 881-8909 Email: burtond@missouri.edu

http://extension.missouri.edu/greene

Greene County Extension Council

Greg Boehne

Chairman

Jason Whitesell Vice-chair

Morgan Ash Secretary

Lisa Bakerink Treasurer

Harold Bengsch County Commission

Tammy Lowrey Farm Bureau

Jordan Miller MFA

Samuel Snider City of Willard

Joseph Hoffman City of Springfield

Vacant 4-H Youth member

Members at large Tony Ahart

Missy Hayward Tyler Gunlock

Scott Smith Chad Courtney Karen Dowdy Chris Schulze Rick Stenberg

Alex Greiwe Larry Adams

Ray Meyer Eric Sutton

Mike Lofaro Tiger Ambassador

County extension council members work with extension specialists to provide the educational programs, manage finances of local operations, provide personnel to carry out activities and elect and organize the extension council.

COUNTY EXTENSION FINANCIALS

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Balance Sheet Dec. 31, 2020

ASSETS Checking $145,456.88 TOTAL ASSETS 12/31/16 $145,456.88 EQUITY Retained Earnings $115,588.76 Net Income $ 28,645.32 ________TOTAL EQUITY 12/31/16__ $144,234.08 Total Current Liabilities $ 1,222.80 TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY: $145,456.88

2020 Income & Expense Financial Report

(Unrestricted & Restricted Income and Expenses)

Income Jan - Dec 20

0100 · Student Fees 3062.80

0210 · County Appropriations 52500.00

0300 · Misc Income 412.70

0400 · Gift/Grants/Contracts 10773.00

0900 · Resales/Educ Services Fees 19273.40

1500 · University Program Funds 0.00

Total Income 98,421.90

Expense

2700 · Persnnl Serv - Salaries & Wag 13167.56

2800 · Payroll Expenses 7517.12

2900 · Non-Payroll Expenses 2701.99

3100 · Travel 2883.00

3600 · Postage 4177.20

3700 · Telephone Serv - Local 384.01

3900 · Advertising 2597.67

4700 · Publishing/Printing 987.83

5100 · Supplies/Services 6518.69

5200 · Professional Development 1165.98

5600· Professional Services 2922.37

6400 · Other Contract Services 6830.31

6800 · Insurance 2051.00

6999 · Uncategorized Expenses 1680.00

7010 · Extension Council Exp

7100 · Soil Test Expenses 4234.00

7200 · Publications for Resale 31.45

7300 · Repairs/Maintenance 8348.20

7400 · 4-H Special Support .00

7700 · Furniture/Equipment 2744.00

7999 · Fee Generation Distribution 0.00

Total Expense 70971.28

Net Income 27450.62

Understanding Our Financial Report

By law, the Greene County MU Extension Council must annually publish its Income and Expense Financial Report for all of the re-stricted and unrestricted accounts (at right).

The report (at right) includes monies from all Greene County MU Extension grants and accounts for programs and monies for Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists.

MU Extension programs in Greene County are funded by county, state and federal appro-priations. The County Commission provides local extension funding for office expenses and local programs. The Springfield-Greene County Park Board provides office space in the Botanical Center. University of Missouri provides salaries and benefits for professional and para-professional staff members headquar-tered in Greene County. This includes training expenses, staff communications and computer equipment costs and maintenance.

Greene County Extension Council Endowment Report Funds maintained by University of Missouri. Report ending Dec. 31, 2020 Endowment Principal Account Beginning Value 6/30/19: $8,052.97 Ending Balance 12/31/20: $8,414.33 Endowment Distribution Account

Final Budget 1000, 2000 & 3000 Accounts Only

Jan. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020 INCOME Budgeted: $97,405 Actuals: $66,961.68 EXPENSES Budgeted: $98,975 Actuals: $66,368.04 YEAR-END RESULT — $593.64

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Donating to Greene County Extension is as Easy As:

1. Donate online at extension.missouri.edu/greene by mail or in person.

2. Stay connected with Greene County Extension on social media, by email and/or in service as a volunteer.

3. Enjoy making a difference in the lives of 45,000 county residents annually.

University of Missouri Extension in Greene County Located inside the Botanical Center at 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo. 65807

Tel: (417) 881-8909 | Email: greeneco@missouri.edu | Online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene

Thanks to our 2020 Extension Donors

Cyril and Geraldine Brown Stephen and Sally Taylor William Housman John and Gail Hurley David and Stacey Burton Randy and Lisa Bakerink Dan Faflak Carolyn S. Green Bobby and Ronda McCarty Tom and Sharon DeWitt Fred and LaQuita Hall

James Garton Lamont & Virginia Nelson Virginia Snyder Sally McCune Catherine Banks Greg and Tara Boehne Tony Ahart Dedra Jones Barb & Robert Kipfer

DONATIONS AND SPONSORSHIPS

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PROGRAMS AND DEMOGRAPHICS

A Zoom interview with Dave Runyon (center), author of “The Art of Neighboring.”

63,500 Residents Reached by Greene County Extension

January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 by Greene County Specialists

Direct Program Contacts in Greene County TOTALS

Indirect Program Contacts by County Specialists TOTALS

Number of Events 939 Number of events 132

Contacts in County 28166 Contact in County 10207

Contacts From Other County 16420 Contacts From Other County 460

Direct Contacts in Other Counties Direct Individual Contacts by Specialists

Number of Events 372 Named of Events 33

Contact in County 3404 Contact in County 2586

Contacts From Other County 14565 Contacts From Other County 322

Report based on the "County Contact Summary" pro-duced from our MyExtension. Total Direct Events 1476

Total Direct County Contacts 34156 Full demographic and affirmative action reports are available at the county office. Total Direct Contacts 65463

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4-H YOUTH

“4-H For All” Helps Juveniles in Greene County

“4-H for All” is a partnership between the Greene County Juvenile Office and University of Missouri Extension. The mission of 4-H for All is aligned with 4-H, which is to develop citizenship, leadership, responsibility and life skills of youth through experiential learning programs and a positive youth development approach. What makes the program unique is services are provided to youth at risk in an urban area that typically would not have the opportunity to experience 4-H programs. This program has received statewide recognition, including the Reaching Diverse Audiences Award and Vice Chancellor’s Diversity Award for team and individual. The program has also received support from the Darr Family Foundation and Community Foundation of the Ozarks. Programming was reduced during 2020 due to COVID restrictions with the resignation of the youth program associate the plans for 2021 are unknown.

“The program has been valuable and we would like to see it continue.”

- Bill Prince

8 ________________________________

Number of juvenile students in a group being run virtually for youth ages 10-13 based on the character education curriculum.

Temple Grandin Addresses Crowd Online, In-Person

On Feb. 24, over 425 people attended in person and over 600 have watched a livestream of the free presentation on autism given by Dr. Temple Grandin at the Fox Theater in Springfield. The program was organized and funded by University of Missouri Extension using funds from the diversity award given to the Greene County 4-H for All Program. During the talk, Grandin posed the question of how sculptor Michelangelo, composer Ludwig van Beethoven and inventor Thomas Edison would fare in today's public schools. These were not typical students. They were different. They were bullied and underestimated. They did not fit in. "Where would he end up today? Probably in the basement playing video games," she said. "That's the problem." MU Extension specialists Karla Deaver, David Burton and Reagan Bluel coordinated the event, media coverage, tickets and 4-H volunteers.

425 / 600 ____________________________________________

Over 425 people attended a live presentation by Temple Grandin and 600 watched online.

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AGRICULTURE: AGRONOMY

Unique Programs Train County Producers

GRAZING SCHOOLS Greene County producers attended our three-day school grazing school and learned to think differently about how they manage their pastures. PESTICIDE TRAINING MOVES ONLINE Over 40 Greene County producers did pesticide training with online this year. This process is required every five years in order to maintain a pesticide license to purchase and use Restricted-Use pesticides. WEEKLY EMERGENCY TOWN HALLS Weekly town hall meetings for forages and livestock producers have occurred online from April 8 and to mid-November. Producers from many counties across Missouri, including Greene County, participated in the sessions and were able to ask questions relevant to their current needs.

Greene County processed over 314 soil tests in 2020 for farm fields, lawns and gardens. Each soil tests receives personalized recommendations from our agronomy or horticulture specialist.

482 ________________________________

Number of farmers who attended the 36st Annual Southwest Missouri Spring Forage Conference held in Springfield.

97th Annual Agriculture Production Conference

In January, the 97th annual Greene County Agriculture Production Conference was held at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center. Over 90 farm producers were in attendance. Dr. Will McClain, agronomy professor at Missouri State University, provided a discussion on “Grazing Your Way to Profitable Beef Production.” An additional program featured U-Pick farm operators as a panel of speakers with the title, “Growing Farm Revenues with U-Pick Operations”. The producers were Andre Gradinariu, Sasha Rhea and Jan Wooten. Greene County farm producers are an economic generator for the local economy. When they suffer economically, their farm product suppliers (feed and fertilizer dealers, hardware stores, fuel suppliers, seed dealers) also suffer. Their economic situation can tie directly to food costs in grocery stores. This program addressed ways this sector in the county economy can remain viable. In the survey at the end of the meeting, 100 percent of the participants ranked the program as either meeting or exceeding their expectations.

There were over 90 who attended the Greene County Ag Production Conference in January. Here, Dr. Will McClain from Missouri State University, speaks on the importance of grazing in a livestock enterprise.

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AGRICULTURE: LIVESTOCK

Adapting to Weather’s Impact on Agriculture

“Adapting to Weather’s Impact on Agriculture” was held March 12 at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center. The program featured a presentation on climate trends in the Midwest by Dennis Todey, Director of USDA Mid-west Climate Hub. Other program speakers included Dr. Patrick Guinan, Dr. Sean Terry, Megan Terry, Gene Hatch, and an agriculture producer panel. This day-long event featured panels and weather experts from around the nation to help Missouri's agriculture community adapt weather changes in Missouri. Program sponsors included the National Weather Service (NWS), University of Mis-souri Extension, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other agencies. MU Extension members of the team included Reagan Bluel, David Burton, Andrew McCorkill, Kelly McGowan, Thomas Pritchard, Rachel Rothweil, Jill Scheidt, Gene Schmitz, Raysha Tate, Willa Williams, and Barbara Wills.

“This was a valuable joint program with unique topics and something I hope can be done annually. It would not have been possible without specialists with MU Extension.”

- Gene Hatch

52 ________________________________

A variety of people representing different agriculture businesses and interests were in attendance at this first-time event.

Special Sales Provide Education and Top Dollar

The Southwest Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Association partners with University of Missouri Extension specialists on twice yearly bull and special cattle sales at the Springfield Marketing Center. Bidding is done both in-person and online. MU Extension specialists provide educational programs before the sales. In March, despite temperatures huddling around freezing and a cold rain falling all day, the 96th All-Breed Performance Tested Bull Sale was a hot one. The 30 bulls averaged $3,787 which was the best since March 2016. The prices ranged from $2,400 to $5,800. The top price was a Blue Mound Angus sold by Sheldon Swartzentruber of Eldorado Springs. The Angus bull was a son of SydGen Enhance and the buyer was Edward Kropf, Eldorado Springs. The bull had an impressive set of EPDs (Expected Progeny Difference) with percentile ranks in the single digits for weaning weight, yearling weight & $Wean and $Beef plus he is eligible as a Show-Me-Select sire for calving ease.

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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Foxhole Tech Gets Government Contract With PTAC Help

After serving in the army for 27 years, Wes Hester wasn’t ready to stop serving his community. In 2017, Hester decided to start his own IT Technology engineering firm, Foxhole Technology. By 2018, he was ready to open his doors and provide cybersecurity to the US Department of Defense. But before he could get started he knew he needed help. He had the technology aspect covered, but knew nothing about business development and networking. A mentor recommended the Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) in Springfield. He worked with Allen Waldo, who provided counseling and information on taking advantage of veteran-owned business opportunities. Hester worked to receive his Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business certification and got started attending networking events. PTAC helped him understand accounting and made seminar and training suggestions.

“During the stay-at-home period, the confusion about government programs designed to help added more confusion to business operations. The folks at the SBDC helped us make sense of it all and make the best choices for our business.”

- Dr. Steve Rice

SBDC Help Keeps Vision Clinic Viable Amid COVID

Dr. Steve Rice is CEO of Vision Clinic, an optometry practice in Springfield since 1967. Across its five locations, Vision Clinic has 85 employees, 79 of whom had to be furloughed for six weeks during Missouri’s stay-at-home order. Rice looked at the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. He also contacted Chrystal Irons at the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Springfield. Irons discussed EIDL and the Payroll Protection Program legislation that had just passed. Irons explained the ways the funds could be used but admitted that her office was still awaiting the guidelines. Between working with lenders and vendors to manage cash flow and working with the Missouri SBDC to attain EIDL and PPP funds to bridge the gap, Vision Clinic was able to survive its six-week closure — and to bring back all of its 79 furloughed employees. Rice feels good about how Vision Clinic handled the closure and that the business was able to get through it.

79 _______________________________

The number of employees that were furloughed for six weeks.

Greene County Impact Small Business Development Center

Area of measurement Value

Sales Increase $675,284.00

PTAC Awards $42,393,968.99

Number of Awards 689

New Businesses Started 14

Jobs Created 102

Jobs Retained 6,094

Total Capitalization $1,719,653.31

Acquired Assets $3,000.00

Clients/Companies Receiving Business Counseling 377

Training Event Attendees 2,043

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

21 Qualities Class Launches Online, First in State

Just a few days after the shelter-in-place effort was announced, David Burton contacted other community development specialists across Missouri about doing a program online. A series based on John Maxwell’s book, “21 indispensable qualities of a leader” was created and had strong enrollment. Team members taught three different sessions every week for seven weeks. After each session, those enrolled in the class received a follow-up email with documents and links to class recordings so they could catch up on any classes missed. The class was popular enough that Burton has created a class in Canvas and is offering it to the public a few times during 2021. • We had an average session attendance of 64. • Most sessions videos have 60 views. • Average attendance of 64 over 21 sessions is 1,344

contacts plus online views and the email readership. • About 38% of participants said this was the FIRST

extension program they had every attended.

“I have never attended any type of MU Extension class. I made this a priority because it was so good and the instructors did a great job with their sessions. I am a better leader as a result.” - CS

178 ________________________________

That is the number of people who enrolled in this first-ever community development class offered via Zoom in Missouri.

Leadership Training Moves Online, Statewide

Greene County’s successful local leadership development program known as EXCEL was canceled this year due to COVID. Sessions had been planned for Ash Grove, Republic and Willard. But when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade! Community development specialists from across the state joined together to offer the Neighborhood Leadership Academy online with local “cohorts” that had additional communication and help with local projects. There were 78 participants in Missouri’s Neighborhood Leadership Academy. Projects from students in the program ranged from a new Adventure Backpack program for the Republic Library to neighborhood projects, a community resource list for senior adults, and fundraisers for other groups. The Neighborhood Leadership Academy was created in 2002. NLA provides hands-on leadership training that emphasizes community building principles and strategies, project planning, organizational leadership and management practices, and personal leadership skills. Drury University has formed a partnership with Extension to offer students in NLA college credit.

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There were 14 participants in the Ozarks Cohort, and all of them were from Greene County.

“Neighborhood Leadership Academy motivated me to step out of my comfort zone, build new relationships and ultimately do something new for my community. I would recommend to program to anyone that wants to lead better.”

- TS

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ENGAGED NEIGHBOR PROGRAM

Neighboring 101 Class Draws National Audience

County Engagement Specialist David Burton launched a series of free programs known as "Neighboring 101" during the fall. These free classes are taught live via zoom once a month during the noon hour. In these classes, Burton teaches on various aspects of the neighboring issue by highlighting examples across the nation of where neighboring is being done well. The first six sessions of the class have examine the topic of neighboring by looking at examples in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Midland, Michigan, and Edmonton, Canada, along with presentations from other MU Extension specialists and a review of available research. Developing relationships with our neighbors may provide a solution to our national epidemic of loneliness and feelings of isolation and depression. Active neighboring also helps people, organizations, and communities expand the participation and breadth of voices while respecting differences and embracing the diversity that makes communities vibrant places to live, work, and play.

“What great conversation in the chat of your Neighboring 101 class. And holy smokes – how did the word get around to so many states about this program? The content is great with a great range of places represented. - SM

353 ________________________________

The number of people registered for the new “Neighboring 101” online class during 2020.

Engaged Neighbor Program Begins Pilot Projects

The “Engaged Neighbor” program was conceived, researched, and written by David Burton in 2020. The program launched in late summer with a variety of approaches to growing a neighboring movement. 1. The start of a neighborhood pilot project in eight

diverse Greene County neighborhoods that will allow the testing of new approaches to neighboring while measuring impacts when more neighboring occurs.

2. New online “Becoming an Engaged Neighbor” class to grow a network of neighborhood connectors.

3. A 50-page publication that explains the idea of neighboring, provides a resource list, and includes ideas on how to easily get to know and engage with your neighbors for a better neighborhood.

Already planned in 2021 are neighboring pilot events scheduled with area churches and a series of programs with the library district featuring authors of neighboring books that coincides with Mister Rogers birthday.

655 _______________________________

The number of homes represented in the pilot project neighborhoods.

"Your presentation at the business association meeting in Springfield on neighboring was powerful and the whole idea has deeply impacted me and my wife." - JD

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