MU Extension offers a wide variety of programs to everyone

In previous columns I’ve mentioned how University of Missouri Extension can help individuals during tough economic times like we are experiencing now.

Rough economic times can affect MU Extension as well, but in Missouri, we have been fortunate to receive good support from the State of Missouri, where our value is recognized for the services that we offer. Education is seen as part of the solution. And education is what MU Extension is all about.

Local counties also support MU Extension by funding the operations of our county offices. Federal dollars from the USDA also enter into the equation. MU Extension is truly a joint effort from federal to state to county level, which is why we are also known as the Cooperative Extension Service.

The people that we serve have been some of our strongest supporters. While there is an amazing diversity of programs that MU Extension offers, people naturally are more familiar with the programs that they use. But some people have a wider view of MU Extension, especially extension council members.

Don Altes, of the Grundy County Extension Council says, "What I like most of all about MU Extension is the ability to draw upon the resources that the University of Missouri has through the different types of specialists who can come in and give programs to help these individuals with their problems or just plain knowledge that they would like to know about a certain area."

Jayla Smith, from the Daviess County Extension Council says, "Every county has MU Extension programs which help serve the community to provide information, resources, to help gain knowledge. In our world today, we have a lot of people who do not use Internet and computers, and we can always get more information and more help when we have someone we can go to and talk face-to-face, or have them actually come to our homes, yards and farms to give us help with problems that we might have."

Bud Motsinger, of the Caldwell County Extension Council, says, "MU Extension serves a much bigger area than just that one little area that we may be involved in. It may involve helping to get energy like the wind farms, or it may help with budgeting programs and estate planning… things that we may not think of MU Extension being involved in, but that’s part of the big picture of all the different programs that are available."

So get involved with MU Extension. Take advantage of the educational opportunities and help available to individuals.

Consider becoming an Extension Council member. Council members serve two year terms. Nominations are made in early December and elections are held in January.

Give us a call at any MU Extension Center, and we’ll be glad to tell you about all the exciting things that MU Extension is doing. To find your local center, visit http:/extension.missouri.edu and click on locations and select your county from the drop down menu.