Our Mission… To serve Gasconade County by extending

researched-based knowledge and top quality educational pro-grams to address high priority needs to citizens at the local

level. University of Missouri Extension faculty help individuals and or-

ganizations turn knowledge into action, thus improving the quality of life for all.

Gasconade

County

2010

Annual

Report

Gasconade County Extension Center 1106 West Highway 28

Owensville, Missouri 65066 (573)437-2165

gasconadeco@missouri.edu Office Hours: 8:00am to 4:30 pm

Closed for lunch 11:30 am to Noon

Monday through Friday

December 2010 Dear Members of the County Commission and the Community: When you invest public funds, you want to know that those funds are making a real differ-ence – that the program has value to the public. And in these tough economic times, you especially are interested in programs that create and retain jobs. Fortunately, that is ex-actly the case with your investment in University of Missouri Extension programs. Here are just a few examples:

The FastTrac NewVenture course creates new jobs by providing tools to those who want to start their own business. Entrepreneurs determine the economic feasibility of their business concept, design a business model that matches their personal vi-sion, and create a business plan to communicate the opportunity to investors.

Pasture-based Dairies, modeled on MU Extension’s rotational grazing systems, have generated 1,100 jobs and added more than $124 million to Missouri’s economy.

The Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis works with the Missouri Department of Economic Development to provide an online career exploration tool, which provides information about promising employment arenas.

Eat Well Be Well with Diabetes provides practical information and skills to self-manage the disease and promote optimum health. Employees who have better control of their blood glucose levels have reduced rates of job absenteeism.

4-H science, engineering, math and technology projects, such as robotics and computing, are preparing youth for jobs of the future. Teens are learning how to be team players, to be lifelong learners, and to approach problem-solving with confi-dence.

Leadership education for steelworkers, pipe fitters and other union workers prepares shop stewards and others to understand how global issues affect today’s workforce and how to secure jobs using practices that reflect joint employer-employee goals.

MU Extension programs are tailored to meet local needs. Visit your local extension center or go online to learn more about the MU Extension programs that create and retain jobs in your community.

Sincerely,

Michael D. Ouart Vice Provost and Director

VICE PROVOST’S OFFICE

108 Whitten Hall

Columbia, MO 65211

PHONE: (573) 882-7477

FAX: (573) 882-1955

University of Missouri, Lincoln University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Local Extension Councils Cooperating

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ADA INSTITUTIONS

Gasconade County Extension Council

University of Missouri Extension Programs are designed by an elected council of citizens, representing a broad spectrum of occupations, interests, locations within Gasconade County. Also, MFA, Farm Bureau, City of either Hermann or Owensville and the Gasconade County Commission have a representative appointed to the Council. Council meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of each month at the Extension Center in Owensville.

2010 County Council Officers Chair: Lynn Hesemann Vice Chair: Brenda Kurrelmeyer Secretary: Sharon Fennewald Treasurer: Jared Niederer 2010 Elected Council Members Larry Bock Cheryl Schlottach Lisa Grosse Lynn Hesemann Sharon Fennewald Jared Niederer Keva Limberg Chad Peanick Kelly Thompson Cody Sassmann Appointed Members Ken Zeugin III – MFA Jim Grebing – City of Hermann Matt Penning – County Commission Joann Hilkerbaumer – Farm Bureau

2010 Financial Summary County appropriations provide for clerical staff and support, office supplies, equipment and ser-vices, travel for work in the county and region, communications and facilities to house staff. Assets Liabilities & Equity Appropriations $44,500.00 Clerical $26,292.17 Course Fees 662.60 Supplies/Services 4,383.07 Investment Income 181.24 Travel 1,618.05 Resale/Educ services 1,853.50 Communication 6,734.57 Postage Income 2,357.00 Space Rent/Utilities 4,380.00 Council Events 422.00 Council Events 239.89 Certificates of Deposit 9,221.99 Working Capital 6,328.59 Investments 9,221.99 Total Revenue $ 59,198.33 Total Expenses $59,198.33

2010 Gasconade County Office Statistics Soil Tests 103 Canner Gauge Test 7 Private Pesticide Applicators License 6 Website Hits 1435 Total Pieces of Mail 7776 Office Visits/Calls Agronomy 37 Horticulture 122 Livestock 45 Ag Business 70 Soil Test 80 Human Environmental Sciences 30 Business Development 0 Youth 414 County Fair 585 Wildlife & Forestry 24 County Publications 11 Pesticide Training 24 Extension Council 151 Total Office Visits/Calls 1855

MU Faculty & Staff serving Gasconade County

during 2008

Chantae Alfred Gary Applegate Melissa Bess

Family Financial Livestock Nutrition & Health

Education (until 7-1-2010)

Virginia Buschmeyer Robin Loehner-Kliethermes Mick Gilliam

Secretary 4-H Youth Specialist Business Development

County Program Director (Part-Time, 12-1-2010)

Sarah Hultine Will McClain Debbie Raaf

Community Development Agronomy Nutrition Program Associate

Andy Read Sarah Traub Pat Snodgrass

Horticulture Human Development Housing & Environmental Design

(until 10-4-2010)

Rick Sparks Ray Walden Laura Wemhoener

Regional Director Telecommunications Resource Center Administrative Assistant

Flexible Program Access

Distance Education Classes Community Programs Community-based education Consultations Continuing education Demonstrations Media Web site Publications/guide sheets Workshop TeleCenter Networks Technical Assistance

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Programs

Master Gardener Class Helps Communities

Organized in September of 2008, Master Gardeners from Gasconade County are 13 citizens who enrolled in a twelve week course and who then volunteer their time applying what they have learned to help others in their communities to learn about gardening and environmental education. In the spring of 2010, a second course was offered which 7 people completed. Our group now has a total of 20 members. During 2010, the Master Gardener volunteers have met monthly to plan and conduct commu-nity service projects and workshops. A garden planning workshop was held on February 16th and was very well attended. A com-posting workshop was held on June 26th with approximately 18 people attending. On April 20th, the Master Gardeners along with Mary Schroepfer, Food & Nutrition Specialist from Franklin County conducted an evening workshop on “Proper Methods of Canning and using both pressure and water bath canners”. Freezing foods was also covered during the workshop. Virginia Buschmeyer from the Gasconade County Extension Center was avail-able to test pressure gauges for the participants. Thirteen attended and learned how to safely preserve food and safe cooking techniques. An island at the Owensville Middle School was reconstructed in June and daffodil and other spring bulbs were planted at the Hermann Elementary School in November. Another core course is being planned for the spring of 2011. The Master Gardener Program throughout Missouri promotes and raises public awareness of the University of Missouri Extension as a source of unbiased, research based gardening in-formation.

County Secretary Serves Citizens Virginia Buschmeyer, Gasconade County Extension Center Secretary assisted with more than 1850 requests for agricultural and natural resources information and other extension named programs during 2010. These topics included care of houseplants, grapes, goo on maple trees, jumping oak galls, snow fleas, trimming guinea pig teeth, stress management for babysitters, hay, fertilizer, lime, crop seminars, hay and nitrate testing; solar grants for fencing, fence laws; grape pro-duction and custom and cash rental rates. She also was very helpful with Missouri Century Farm applications, raising goats and dock-ing sheep tails, soil testing, water quality testing, farm record books, insect and weed/plant identification, the farmers tax guide, and absentee ballots.

Area Cattlemen’s Tour

(Above: Group picture of Cattlemen's Tour participants)

The tour consisted of the touring the Caterpillar and John Deere manufacturing plants, visit-ing a dairy, Heartland Ministries and other various farm tours. They travelled from Missouri to Illinois to Iowa and ending in Wisconsin. The tour was led by Gary Applegate who was the Livestock Specialist in Maries County. Approximately 38 people attended the tour from Gas-conade, Maries, Dent and Phelps Counties.

“Was amazed at how at Bethel, Missouri, they can milk 3,000 cows 3 times a day on a carousel. I felt that a lot of the benefit was received through the networking that took place on the bus with other pro-ducers from South Central Missouri.” - Lynn Hesemann, Gasconade County

“Enjoyed touring the John Deere and Caterpillar manufacturing plants, as well as touring the research farms for the University of Missouri and University of Wisconsin. Feels that he received very practical information that will help beef producers stay on top of business.” - Clyde Hesemann, Gasconade County

Management Intensive Grazing School

This series of workshops teach livestock producers how to improve management of their for-age resources for improved profits of their farming operation. Concepts regarding soil fertil-ity, plant health, forage species and suitability, animal requirements, water resources, fenc-ing, system design, and grazing economics are included in this course. Four Grazing Schools were held locally in 2010, at MU Wurdack Farm, Houston, Rolla, and Vienna.

Healthy Yards for Clear Streams

This program is an educational effort to help landowners and businesses become more envi-ronmentally responsible with lawn and landscape practices. The goal of this program is to promote lawn care practices that creating beautiful lawns and gardens while reducing unnec-essary use of pesticides and fertilizers that may run off and contaminate local streams. Part-ners of the Healthy Yards for Clear Streams include University of Missouri Extension, Mis-souri Department of Natural Resources, the City of Rolla, Missouri Department of Conserva-tion, and Grow Native.

Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program

The Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program improves herd reproductive efficiencies and farm profitability through increased added value for Missouri-raised heifers. In 2010 a total of 1,302 heifers in Missouri were sold through the Show-Me-Select program averaging $1,388 per head. In 2010 9 South Central Missouri beef producers enrolled heifers and mar-keted their heifers either private treaty off the farm, or through a neighboring region’s sale.

Advanced Grazing School

This program was held in June at MU Wurdack farm and was designed to further the knowl-edge base of livestock producers who had previously attended a “Basic Grazing School” or who are currently utilizing a “grazing system” on their operation. Participants learned ad-vanced techniques for forage measurement, pasture allocation, soil fertility, winter grazing, and feed supplementation.

Forage and Beef Conference

This conference, held annually in Cuba, MO in February, provides education on current man-agement practices and techniques regarding forage/grazing/livestock production for the north central Ozarks. In 2010, this event attracted over 200 participants from more than 15 coun-ties, and featured numerous speakers, as well as a trade show. The Forage and Beef Con-ference is made possible through partnerships with not only University of Missouri Extension, but also area Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Natural Resources Conservation Ser-vice, and numerous other local businesses and organizations that financially sponsor the event.

Quality Systems Assessment (QSA)

This program, developed by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, gives beef producers the opportunity to access domestic and foreign export markets that specify cattle must be source and age verified by a third party. The role of MU extension in this program is to serve as the supply evaluator, whereby, on-farm audits are conducted and producers are qualified allowing feeder cattle to be eligible to be sold as “source and age verified”.

Use of Glycerol in Backgrounding Diets

Glycerol is a by-product of the bio-diesel industry, which is manufactured from soybeans. In 2010, the Missouri Soybean Association along with cooperating producers/members of the South Ozarks Premier Beef Marketing Program, Barnitz Farms and the MU Commercial Agri-culture Program evaluated the use of glycerol as a substitute for corn in rations for growing feeder cattle in a backgrounding facility. Approximately 370 calves were utilized in this dem-onstration/research project, and results indicate that substitution of 10% glycerol provided a cost effective replacement for corn with no difference in cattle performance.

MU Wurdack Farm

Nearly 800 agriculture students from around Missouri took part in an extensive farm field day and approximately 125 producers attended the annual Fall Field day. Additionally, the farm hosted a Dung Beetle Field Day, featuring speakers on the benefits and managements strategies related to improved dung beetle populations on grazing operations. The farm also hosted several educational programs/tours including the Advanced and Basic Grazing Schools, as well as programs for local schools, organizations, clubs, and organizations, high-lighting the ongoing projects, demonstrations and programs at the farm

Soil Testing

Gasconade County had 103 soil test reports in 2010. Soil testing helps producers determine the best course of action for fertilizing pasture and crop ground. In fact, the office received approximately 80 phone calls regarding soil test questions. While soil testing is unlikely to save producers money it does enable them to determine how best to spend their money in order to get the most bang for their fertilizer dollar.

Human Environmental Sciences

Programs

Equine Education Workshop This series of workshops was implemented to address equine management and provide own-ers with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve their farm management practices for horses. The curriculum focused on pasture management for the horse and includes the follow-ing topics: Soil Fertility Management, Weed Control, Equine Nutrition Management and Train-ing and upkeep of horses.

Parents Learn Effect of Divorce and Separation on Children

"To realize what my kids are going thru really opened my eyes" and "It helped me as a parent to see how each and every aspect of my separation is affecting my daughter, from how I feel and act when not around my Ex to how I feel and act around my Ex." were comments provided by participants in the Focus on Kids program. In 2010, 44 individuals from Gasconade County participated in the 12 seminars offered in Osage and Gasconade County. The total number of participants was over one hundred forty parents. Focus on Kids is a 2-1/2 hour program empirically based, and developed by the University of Missouri-Columbia Human Development/Family Studies Department. Individuals with children 18 years of age and under who are divorcing, filing a motion to modify or custody case are mandated to participate in this parent education program. Objectives and Goals of the Session include: Convey the importance of sustained, supportive, and nurturing involvement by both parents Provide information on children’s and adolescents’ developmental needs, abilities and

common reactions to divorce Suggest specific things to do (e.g., Supporting other parent's involvement) and not to do

(e.g., Criticizing other parent in front of children) Provide information on community resources

Family Nutrition Education Program

University of Missouri Extension (UME) Family Nutrition Education Programs (FNEP) reached 4,238 low-income participants with nutrition education in Gasconade County during 2010. 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. Back-to-school health fairs were also featured this year. During 2010, both youths and adults were served through schools, community groups and agencies. The following is a list of the locations where participants were served: Schools: Hermann Elementary, Hermann Middle, Gerald Elementary, Owensville Elementary, and Owensville Middle School. Agencies: Gasconade County Health Department, Owens-ville Food Pantry, and the Owensville Senior Center.

Business Development

Programs

As entrepreneurs and innovators, Missouri’s small businesses are becoming a more diverse group that continues to make the state’s economy productive. There are approximately 500,000 small businesses in Missouri. Nearly 98 percent of all businesses with employees are categorized as small businesses. In assisting the owners and managers of those businesses, MU Extension contributes to a county’s economic development through growth in jobs, sales, innovation, technology development and commercialization. In Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries & Phelps Counties, during 2010, business counselors served 311 people and their companies with business start-up and management counseling, training, and other assistance. In addition, entrepreneurs and business owners in those coun-ties reported the following economic impact and activity as a result of the services provided by the MU Extension Business Development Program:

New jobs: 55

Sales increases: $3,337,749

Government contracts: $2,679,733

New businesses: 9

Jobs Retained 12

Loans and investments in business: $2,590,100

Clients/companies receiving business counseling: 149 Business training attendees and conference participants: 162 Overall, the University of Missouri’s Business Development Programs (BDP) served 25,096 people and their businesses state-wide. The total impact for all businesses assisted by the BDP was:

New jobs: 12,939

Sales increases: $514,599,270

Government contracts: $467,712,268

New businesses: 265

Jobs retained: 3,234

Loans and investments in business: $204,073,294

Acquired assets: $88,254,348 Investment in commercialization:

SBIR/STTR proposals submitted $47,083,591 SBIR/STTR awards received $8,457,408

Clients/companies receiving business counseling: 3,096 Business training attendees and conference participants: 22,000

CONTACT INFORMATION Jackie Rasmussen, Business Development Specialist Camden County Extension Center P.O. Box 1405, Camdenton, MO 65020 Phone: 573-346-2644 http://extension.missouri.edu/camden OR www.missouribusiness.net

4-H Youth Development

Programs

4-H Club Work

One of every four Missourians between the ages of 5 and 18 participated in a Missouri 4-H program in 2010. In Gasconade County there were 225 4-H Club members who participated in eleven different community clubs Gasconade County 4-H clubs offer long-term educational experiences in which members learn life skills such as decision making, public speaking and working with others. Members learn by doing under the guidance of adult volunteers, who teach projects ranging from aerospace and arts to veterinary science and sport fishing. Clubs also involve children and teens in community service, camping and educational trips. Community service is integral to positive youth development programs. Missouri young people who are 4-H participants report significantly more leadership experiences and higher scores on internalizing the value of service that their non-4-H peers.

Hatching Chicks in the Classroom Gasconade County students witnessed a very exciting and wonderful miracle through the Mis-souri 4-H Science Project, Hatching Chicks in the Classroom. It has several objectives for stu-dents to learn: -Observe the development of the chick within the egg -Observe the actual hatching of a chick

1.42*^

2.45*

3.05^

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

Leadership Experiences in the Past Year

Me

an S

core

MO-Wave 7-Point In Time Analyses: Number of Leadership Experiences Reported

No 4-H

Some 4-H

Active 4-H

n = 114

*Significant difference between "No 4-H" and "Some 4-H" at p<.05^Significan difference between "No 4-H" and Active 4-H" at p<.05

Question as asked: During the last 12 months, how many times have you been a leader in a group or organization?

Gasconade County 4-H Members Learn at County Achievement Day Approximately 20 4-H members and adults participated in the 2010 Gasconade County 4-H Achievement Day. It was held at the Youth Building at Memorial Park in Owensville. The events included Conference Judging of 4-H exhibits, Demonstrations, Public Speaking and Fashion Review Contest. Participation in judging, demonstrations, public speaking and fashion review helps to learn leadership, citizenship and life skills for the future. Demonstrating is one of the best 4-H teaching techniques for teaching one’s self and others. It involves visual, oral and practical step-by-step presentation of information or procedures. Decision making skills and the ability to logically and clearly express one’s self are prized at-tributes in many careers today. One 4-H teaching technique --- judging --- can help youth learn these skills. Judging is making a decision and telling why you made it. Judging also teaches youth to ap-preciate and understand standards, to observe closely and develop reasoning ability.

Back-to-School Fairs Robin Kliethermes, 4-H Youth Specialist and Debbie Raaf, Nutrition Program Assistant for Gasconade County participated in the MOCA "Back-to-School" Fair on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 held at the Lions Hall in Owensville. Fifteen human service providers and organizations worked together to provide information and supplies to youth of Gasconade county which would help them prepare for the upcoming school year. More than 120 individuals were as-sisted in this process.

-Experience the birth and possible death of a chick -Observe social behavior of baby chicks

-Experience a chick’s need for and response to care given by people -Have the opportunity to relate the development of the chick to the development of other living creatures. The “Hatching Chicks in the Classroom” Project was conducted with students in kindergarten thru fifth grades reaching 300 young people with the experiential learning. Teachers and students spent about 10 hours working with the 1 dozen pre-incubated eggs delivered to each classroom. Responsibilities included turning the eggs; control and proper maintenance of the temperature, water, and air flow in the incubator; and the care of live chicks after hatching by feeding, watering and providing correct temperature settings. This is one more approach to reaching new audiences and delivering positive youth develop-ment programs to the citizens of Gasconade County.

4-H Camp at the Lake of the Ozarks 4-H Residential Camp is a four-day residential camp for 8 to 13 years old youth. Gasconade County had eight 4-H members and one 4-H counselor attend this residential camp along with one-hundred and seventy other 4-Hers from Maries, Miller, Morgan, Osage, Cole and Moniteau counties. The University Extension faculty and staff worked together to develop edu-cational curriculum for campers, train permanent staff on duties and responsibilities, teach camp counselors how to work with younger children, secure special resource people for spe-cial events and marketed the camping program, collected registrations and ordered necessary supplies. 4-H Camp curriculum included the following topic: Swimming, Canoeing, Campfires, Flag Ceremonies, Campfire Programs, Crafts, Dancing, Environmental Programs, Group Games, Theme Nights, Character Education Discussions, Skits, Storytelling, Singing, Archery, Electric-ity Education, Confidence Course, Volleyball, and Trust Building Activities. 4-H Camp is also a chance for young people to experience a camp setting where they will have the opportunity to make new friends, be a part of a group and share in memorable mo-ments with other 4-Hers. There are sixteen campers in each cabin. Two 4-H counselors (youth 14 -18) are assigned with each cabin group. There is a special two-day counselor camp prior to residential 4-H camp that focuses on training youth to be camp counselors. Children are grouped by age and gender and counselors work hard to make all children have a special time at camp. The 4-Hers practice life skills by learning cooperation through shared work and fun. Everyone gets a chance to help wash dishes, clean cabins and pick-up the campgrounds. The themes for the 3 days were Favorite Sports team (Monday), Disco Night (Tuesday) and Hillbilly Night (Wednesday). Evening recreation programs included a variety of games and re-lay races planned by the 4-H Camp Counselors. This is a great leadership opportunity that is both fun and rewarding for the teenage counselors. Residential 4-H Camp was conducted for 170 campers with 150 surveys being received. In the first part of the survey, the campers were asked how they felt about the food, their cab-ins, their counselor, camp staff and camp as a whole.

*96% thought the food they ate at camp was good or great. *92% thought the cabin they stayed in was fair *83% thought their camp counselor was good or great *96% thought their overall week at camp was good or great.

Next, campers were asked to respond to statements using a scale of None of the Time=1, Some of the Time=2, Most of the Time=3, and All of the Time=4 regarding how 4-H camp helped them. The responses of “Most of the Time” combined with “All of the Time” revealed:

*74.6% responded that 4-H Camp helped me learn that other’s ideas were as important as mine. *89.3% responded that 4-H Camp helped me work with others as a team. *74.6% responded that 4-H Camp helped me learn to settle disagreements in ways that were not hurtful (to others or to myself). *78% responded that 4-H Camp helped me talk to other people more easily. *80.6% responded that 4-H Camp helped me accept people who thought or acted dif-ferently than me *88.6% responded that 4-H Camp helped me try new things. *90% responded that 4-H Camp helped me respect the property of others

*90% responded that 4-H Camp helped me make new friends. *86% responded that 4-H Camp helped me feel safe. *88% responded that 4-H Camp helped me be responsible for my own actions. *86.6% responded that 4-H Camp helped me practice cleaning up after myself. *79.3% responded that 4-H Camp helped me ask for help when I needed it. *94% responded that 4-H Camp helped me take care of my personal belongings. *88.6% responded that 4-H Camp helped me be where I was supposed to be.

Youth were also asked to tell us at least one thing they learned NEW this year at 4-H Camp. 4-Hers reported that they learned the value of team work, how to tie-die a t-shirt, make electrical cords, how to canoe, how to make new friends, how to respect other people and their belong-ings, how to be responsible for their own actions and help others out and the importance of the buddy system when swimming and playing. Youth also reported learning that everyone is dif-ferent and some people are really shy but there are ways to make them feel included so they are no longer shy.

4-H Shooting Sports Program in Gasconade County The focus of the Missouri 4-H Shooting Sports program is the total development of the young person. The shooting sports and related natural resource activities are utilized as a vehicle for human growth and development. The Shooting Sports program attracts new audiences as well as enhances the traditional 4-H club program. The Shooting Sports Program in Gasconade County has been going strong for many years. In 2010, the program was led by Andy Lawton, Phil Anderson and John Leinberger. The pro-gram recently trained and recruited four more certified shooting sports leaders; Amy Estes, Kerry Williams, John Stewart and Mike Rothemeyer. The program offers three disciplines Air Rifle, .22 Rifle and Air Pistol. In 2010, the program experienced a large increase in the num-ber of youth participating in the project, therefore, the leaders offer three nights a week for youth to practice. Several 4-H Youth Competed at the State 4-H Shooting Sports competition. In the Junior Di-vision, the Gasconade County team took 1st place in Air Rifle and .22 Rifle. Team members included Sarah Estes, Ashleigh Suttles, Megan Roethemeyer and Treyden Williams with Sarah and Ashleigh placing second and third high individuals in the Air Rifle competition re-spectfully. This same team was also the .22 Rifle Team. In the intermediate division Andrew Lawton had a third place high individual. Also participating in the intermediate division were Drake and Rex Bradley and Lance Thomas.

Volunteers are Essential to 4-H Youth Development In 2010, Gasconade County recruited, trained, supported and rewarded 106 adult volunteer leaders to work with the 4-H members. Volunteers create, support and are part of the 4-H community. Missouri 4-H volunteers re-sponding to a survey report they contribute on average 100 hours per year. Valuing their time at $18.70 per hour, based on average Missouri incomes, the contribution of Gasconade County 4-H volunteers was worth more than $198,220 in 2010! More importantly, these adults serve as mentors for our youth, priceless.

1st YEAR

Stephen Aberle, Jr., Sherri Durbin Christine Eldringhoff Angie Faerber Jennifer Gillespie Allison Grzeskowiak Jared Nowack Sarah Powers Heather Reed Michael Reed LeRoy Ruediger Erin Sassmann Edwin Schoenfeld Shelly Stutzman

5 YEARS

Darlene Aubuchon Sandra Krimmel Marie Shoemaker

20 YEARS

Michael Sloan

Livestock Judging Rewards Youth of Gasconade County Livestock Judging is a great opportunity for young people to learn decision making along with learning how to communicate or defend those decisions with oral reasons. There were sev-eral judging events held statewide this summer, however, two of those competitions were held in Maries and Gasconade County. The 2010 Belle Fair Livestock Judging Contest was held on Thursday, July 15 with twenty youth from Maries and Gasconade counties participating. They judged six classes of beef, swine, sheep and goats and gave oral reasons on two of the classes. In the Junior Division, Dakota Gerloff was received awards for High Score and Top Oral Reasons. He received a one hundred dollar savings bond from Mid America Bank. Dakota is a member of Woollam 4-H and son of Lance and Becky Gerloff. The first ever Gasconade County Fair livestock judging contest was held Saturday, July 31st. The competition was held to determine which 4-Hers would represent Gasconade County at the State 4-H Livestock Judging Competition. The top four individuals were Dakota Gerloff, Emily Hendrix, Adriene Aubuchon and Lance Thomas. Dakota placed in the top fifteen at State Competition. Robin Kliethermes, 4-H Youth Specialist in Gasconade County, Karen Branstetter, 4-H Youth Specialist in Crawford County, Crystal Rademacher, Woollam 4-H Club Leader and Jared Nowack, Bourboise 4-H Club Leader all helped with the event.

63nd Annual Gasconade County Fair

Thanks to many volunteers that helped to make the 63nd Annual Gasconade County Fair a success for the youth of the county and surrounding communities. Without this support, many young people would not have the opportunities to grow and expand their world. Results of the exhibits are: Beef Breeds 92 head

4-H Bucket Calf 15 Dairy Cattle 26 Goats 27 Market Barrows & Gilts 151 Market Goats 0 Market Lambs 7 Market Steers 36 Pee Wee Bucket Calf 14 Poultry 58 Rabbits 25 Sheep 48 Swine 15

Total 514 head Note: 578 head in 2009 555 head in 2008 612 head in 2007 560 head in 2006 666 head in 2005

Approximately 400 items were entered in the 4-H Department in the Youth Building during the 2010

Gasconade County Fair. Several of these were selected to go to the State Fair.

Top Carcass from County Steer Show is Selected

For Gasconade County 4-H and FFA members involved in the market steer project, the fair is not over at the end of the sale. After the sale several steers are sent to slaughter. On the Friday follow-ing the fair a judge, chosen by the Livestock Committee, will go around to the slaughterhouses and judge the carcasses. The purpose of the beef carcass evaluation is to assist beef producers in: pro-ducing high-quality beef carcasses; producing high-yielding beef carcasses; identifying superior lines of breeding stock; and promoting a desirable, marketable product. This year’s top carcass from the Gasconade County Fair Steer Show was owned by Sara Fahren-holtz of Hermann, MO. Dennis Engemann of Tri-County Trucking & Excavating Inc. sponsored the award. Complete lists of the 16 steers and their placing and scores are available at the Gasconade County Extension Center in Owensville. The Extension Service also has a UMC Guide Sheet, G2220, Beef Carcass Grading and Evaluation. This guide provides information about standard U.S. Depart-ment of Agriculture beef carcass yield and quality grading systems.

Extension Fall Picnic/4-H Alumni Day The Extension Fall Picnic was held in conjunction with 4-H Alumni Day to celebrate 75 years of 4-H in Gasconade County. It was held on October 10th at the Youth Building in Owensville. There was a display in the Youth Building of historical 4-H projects and club information. Jo-hannah and Lance Thomas also did a demonstration for everyone. Missouri Century Farm recipients from Gasconade County were also honored at the picnic. The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and Missouri Farm Bureau jointly sponsors the Missouri Century Farm program with University Extension. Guidelines for the program are: the same family must have owned the farm for 100 years or more as of Dec. 31, 2009, the family shall consist of direct descendants, and the present farm shall consist of no less than 40 acres. Farms honored were: Anna Belle & Robert Hackmann for the John Henry Schaefferkoetter farm acquired in 1864, Charles & Rachel Kempen for the H. W. Moore farm acquired in 1904, Therese and Milton Leimkuehler for the Frederick Klossner farm acquired in 1867, Ronald Ragland for the Edward E. Graves farm acquired in 1910, and Chester and Michael Thiedke for the Edward Thiedke farm acquired in1910.

The Gasconade County Extension Leaders Honor Roll award was presented to Lynn Hese-mann for her commitment and support of the University of Missouri Extension Program. Julie Steinbeck of the Little Berger 4-H Club received the Gasconade County 4-H Club Scrap-book Award for 2010.

Gasconade County 4-H Celebrates 75 Years 4-H Clubs first formed in Gasconade County in 1935. On January, 4

th of 1935 a planning committee

which consisted of three agricultural teachers, one home economics teacher, and six farm leaders met to discuss plans for organizing 4-H clubs in the county, with the Agent (C. E. Klingner) and Mr. T. T. Martin, State Club Agent to brainstorm ideas to get clubs started. This group held several meetings in the communities of Pershing, Owensville, Cleavesville and Weller. From these meetings, A Market Pig club with five members and a Clothing I Club with eight members were organized in the Pershing community. Clothing I clubs were organized in the Cleavesville and Weller communities with nine and seven members respectively, enrolled. Members of the Market Pig club gave reports on what they had learned. All of the members made a profit of approximately $12.00 per head on the pigs fed. Pigs were purchased on May 16 and fed until September 16. The pig fed by George Heemeier showed the largest gain – 249 pounds during the 120 days. Members of the Sewing club had their dresses and other garments made during the year on display and gave a demonstration on cutting out a dress. The program was concluded with a play illustrating typical farm conditions. The cast included members of both clubs In 1936, there was a substantial increase in 4-H club activities. Thirteen clubs with a total of 133 mem-bers were organized. The clubs were organized in four different communities with seven of them being in the Hermann community. Some eighty club members attended the County Achievement program which was held in Owensville. Seven demonstration teams competed for county honors. The three outstanding teams were taken to the State 4-H Club Round-up held in Columbia during the week of August 17. Ten of the thirteen clubs with seventy-nine of the 108 different members completed their projects. The clubs that were formed during this time focused on only one project. It wasn’t until 1940 that community clubs were formed and carried more than one project. Since 1935, the 4-H program has been going strong. In 1948, the first Gasconade County 4-H Council was formed by the 4-H Club Leaders and 4-H Club Presidents. The officers were Vida Gleize, Presi-dent; Donald Posey, Vice-President; Janet Rae Cunningham, Secretary and Treasurer; Cleo Pohlmann, Song and Game Leader. This council met two times during the year and made plans for the County Achievement Day, and other organization work that would help the quality of 4-H work in the county.

Katelyn Hoener of the Town and Country 4-H Club received the Best Secretary’s Book while Sable Huebner of the Bem 4-H Club received the Best Treasurer’s Book. Amber Aubuchon of the Little Berger 4-H Club took home the honor of Outstanding 4-H Member for 2010. Colton Radamacher of the Woollam 4-H Club received an award for completing his Level II Missouri Report Form and Brooke Nowack of the Bourboise 4-H Club received an award for completing her Level I Missouri Report Forms. Also receiving an award was Raegan West of the Bem 4-H Club for completing her Project Records. Awards were also handed out to the State Livestock Judging and State Shooting Sports teams recognizing them for their achievements. Both teams competed very well and plan to return to the contests in the future. There was a NEW award this year called the 4-H Volunteer of the Year award, which was awarded to Crystal Rademacher of the Woollam 4-H Club. The program ended with the Service to Communities Awards. Drake 4-H, Woollam 4-H, Little Berger 4-H and Bem 4-H Clubs were awarded a certificate recognizing their efforts in a variety of community service projects for 2010. This award was awarded by the Missouri State 4-H Office. This event was sponsored by FCS Financial - Carol Meyer and Stacy Ward, Harvey’s Body Shop, Inc., First State Community Bank - Doug Dunlap, Gasconade County Extension Council, Gasconade County Farm Bureau and Gasconade County 4-H Council.

State Fair Farm Family for Gasconade County

The 2010 Missouri State Fair Farm Family for Gasconade County went to Curtis and Lori Koel-ling family of Hermann was recognized. They were selected as the Gasconade County Mis-souri State Fair Farm Family by the Gasconade County Extension Council. The family includes a daughter Gretchen and son Chantz. Each year the fair sets aside a day to recognize farm families who are active in their commu-nity, involved in agricultural activities and who participate in local outreach and extension edu-cational programs such as 4-H and FFA. The annual event was sponsored by Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Missouri State Fair, University of Missouri Extension and the University of Mis-souri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.

2010 Gasconade County Century Farms

Michael and Chester Thiedke Representing the Edward Thiedke farm which was acquired in 1910.

Rachel and Charles Kempen representing the H. W. Moore farm acquired in 1904.

2010 Extension Leaders Honor Roll

Lynn Hesemann being presented Leaders Honor Roll certificate by Robin Loehner-Kliethermes, 4-H Youth Spe-cialist/CPD

AN INVITATION

FOR YOU

TO PARTICIPATE

A Unique Opportunity

We extend this invitation to you to become a nominee for the University of Missouri Extension

Council of Gasconade County because we feel you are in tune with your community, have your

community’s best interests at heart and are willing to open the doors of opportunity for

Gasconade County residents through University of Missouri Extension.

As a member of the Gasconade County Extension Council, you can put any issue, interest or

concern on the county’s educational agenda. State laws confer this right to extension councils.

County extension council members and MU Extension faculty act as educational brokers,

putting the interests and concerns of local people together with the resources of our land-grant

university so people can obtain their goals. Throughout Missouri, extension councils and MU

Extension professionals have identified an array of issues and have found ways University

facilities and people can help.

Because extension councils, through federal and state laws, have a legal foundation for

operation and a working partnership with MU Extension, the variety and scope of educational

programs are nearly unlimited.

University of Missouri

Extension council members make

a positive difference

in our communities.

It is our hope this report will give you insight into how the University of Missouri Exten-sion impacts Gasconade County. As the University’s education outreach to the local people, Extension provides practical, research-based information to make a positive difference in people’s lives. The success of Gasconade County Extension Center is due to our close association with, and good working relationship between the county commission, county clerk, and the Extension Council. The citizens of Gasconade County have benefited greatly be-cause of this association. If you have questions about any of our Extension programs or would like to receive ad-ditional information, please contact us. We appreciate your continued support of our educational programs.

Program Focus

Based on a countywide needs assessment, Gasconade County University of Missouri Extension programming has focused on the following program areas: ●Agriculture & Natural Resources ●Business Development ●Community Development ●Human Environmental Sciences ●Youth Development

University of Missouri Extension does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age disability or status as a Vietnam era veteran in employment or programs.

Chair, Extension Council

Secretary, Extension Council