What we do and why:
Using science-based knowledge, University of Missouri Extension engages people to understand change, solve problems and make informed decisions. MU Extension makes accessible University education and knowledge for: 1) economic viability, 2) empowered individuals, 3) strong families and communities, 4) healthy environments.
University of Missouri Extension is a partnership with the University of Missouri campuses, the people of Missouri through county extension councils, the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other partners and stakeholders.
How We Improved People’s Lives During 2008 – Cole County Highlights
Impact from this year’s activities:
· 41 new or retained jobs
· $3,822,247 in increased sales
· $31,296,483 in government contracts
· $1,104,195 in business loans and investments
· $1,205,778 in acquired assets
· 4 new businesses
· 57 clients receiving in-depth counseling
· 136 Cole County residents attending training
· 132 out-of-county-residents attended a training in the county
Activities and clients for the year:
· 106 existing or start-up businesses received assistance or information
· 268 participants attended 32 training programs in 12 subject areas
Horticulture & Natural Resources
· Responded to an average of 28 citizen contacts each week concerning natural resources issues such as identifying plant disease and insects
· 30 attended multiple programs to improve water quality
· 140 participants attended 2 educational trips or events conducted by the Cole County specialist to improve production and sales
· 58 youth livestock project participants learned their responsibilities in providing safe food
Family Nutrition Education Programs
· 1,199 low-income participants were reached with nutrition education.
· 4-H club enrollment grew by 12%, 131 adults serve as volunteers in the 4H program, a growth of 58%.
· 618 exhibitors at the county fair
· Livestock exhibits totaled 350
· Steer & hog prices increased between 9 – 10%
· 3,052 participated in the Embryology program
Human Development/Family Financial Education
· Improving public safety by training of 80 inmates due to be released, thereby lessening their chances of being repeat offenders.
· 287 individuals received free help preparing & filing their taxes
· 136 learned to find, understand, and protect their credit scores
· Trained 57 Cole County day-care workers in disaster preparation and air quality improvements
· 26 senior citizens improved their health through regular exercise
Safety
· 227 enrollments in Extension’s Fire and Rescue Training Institute were from Cole County
· 74 enrollments in the Law Enforcement Training Institute were from Cole County
· 158 medical professionals received continuing education through Extension programs
· 78 youths learning the safe and proper use of firearms through 4-H shooting sports programs
· 15,098 hours of donated labor valued at $19.54 an hour equals $294,557 to local organizations
· 42 new Master Gardeners graduated
· 14 current MGs completed advanced training; 52 took individual classes
· “Touched” nearly 12,000, or 16%, of Cole County Citizens with programs or information, this does not include the 123,401 page views of the Cole County Extension website
· Responded, on average, to a customer contact every 20 minutes of every business day
· Processed 425 soil tests
· Provided a testing location for 37 students enrolled in correspondence courses
· Tested 42 private pesticide applicators as required by law; hosted commercial pesticide applicator testing monthly
· Planned, prepared, and conducted the 32nd Fall Festival with over 3,000 attending
· Coordinated all youth development activities at the Cole County Fair