"Ag Today" Newspaper Column

 

Michael R. Milam

Agronomy Specialist and County Program Director

For Daily Dunklin Democrat-Ag Today

December 26, 2006

A tribute to Jon Stahl

            Jon Stahl retired from the Small Farm Family Program as an educational assistant on September 30, 2005. Jon had worked for over 10 years in his capacity as an extension educator in Dunklin, Pemiscot, and other counties when the program ended.

            Last week I received a call from his wife Glenda who told me that Jon had died after his long battle with cancer. He was 71 years old. He will be sorely missed by his coworkers, friends, family and those that he had served so faithfully during his employment.

            I first met Jon when we began the interview process to add an educational assistant for the Small Farm Family Program. Jon had years of experience in agriculture and was chosen for this position because of his vast knowledge of his subject matter, his experience with agricultural operations, and the need for an older mentor to help train and work with many of the younger assistants. He would take them along when he made his rounds so they would be trained in how to provide timely information to the small farm operators. He had quite a reputation among the educational assistants and the clientele that he served.

            Jon was a big man with a heart to match. He was almost always seen wearing his Stetson hat. He will long be remembered for his contributions to area schools and the Delta Fair for the Petting Zoo that he provided for several years. Since this area is almost lacking in animal agriculture, Jon thought that it was important the children understood that animals provide milk, meat, and fiber (wool), leather, and other products. He spent many hours during the Delta Fair with the upkeep of the animals and answering questions for both adults and children. He really enjoyed the interaction with the children. There were no dumb questions and he patiently answered them all from the school children.

            Jon would take animals to area schools and HeadStart Centers so that the children would be able to see them. Before Thanksgiving, he would take turkeys around so the children would know what a live turkey looked like.

            For years when I would participate with the Best of Missouri Market Show at the Botanical Gardens, Jon would insist that we have a “marked” queen bee in the honey bee exhibit so that the parents and children could learn more about honey bees and the contribution that they make to society. He would order a marked queen each year prior to the Delta Fair and the Best of Missouri Market Show. Although he never participated in person, his exhibit was very important to the MU College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources exhibit and was requested each year. The first year that we did not have the marked queen was after 9/11 and he could not get one shipped in on time.

            Jon also served as a mentor for youth who were able to get low interest loans for agricultural purposes. One family produced mums and did very well with their adventure. I had talked with one of the lenders who told me that none the youth that Jon had mentored failed to repay a loan.

            Jon had also worked with the AgrAbility program and made contacts so that those who were eligible were able to get resources that would help them with life’s challenges. Several were able to get 4-wheel “mules” to help them get around to check their fences and to check on their livestock. Several were able to get assistance with lifts and telephones with loud rings. He did everything that he could to make life easier for those that he worked with.  

            Jon had surgery and treatment for cancer several years before the Small Farm Family program ended. However, he always came back stronger. As one of his friends and co-workers explained, it was hard to keep up with Jon even after he became sick.

            Jon will be remembered for his many contributions to the citizens of Dunklin County during his tenure as an educational assistant. Yet, this was only a small portion of Jon’s influence as a member of the Stoddard County Fair Board and many other ventures prior to his accepting this position. Jon, Rest in Peace.

 

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