Donald Broermann gives back to extension colleagues | University of Missouri Extension
Donald Broermann gives back to extension colleagues
A generous gift to the MU Extension Loan and Fellowship Fund by retired extension field specialist Donald Broermann will help support extension staff who want to pursue professional improvement or graduate study.
"I wanted to give something back for so many good years and great colleagues," says Broermann. "I chose this gift because I realized how much additional training helped me in my work."
Broermann says those who work in extension tend to be a certain kind of person: "Have you heard the old saying about extension specialists? Ask us what time it is, and we'll tell you how to build a clock.
"Really," he says, laughing, "It's more than a joke."
He should know. He served MU Extension for 31 years. During a career that began in 1946, Broermann worked as a "balanced farming" specialist, helping landowners develop integrated farm plans, and later, as an area farm management specialist. His counties included Nodaway, Lafayette, Johnson, Marion, Ralls, Lewis and Pike.
"I enjoyed almost every minute of it," says Broermann. "I liked my work and I felt like I was able to do people some good."
He brought to his job practical experience gained as a farmer himself and as a farm kid from Atchison County in northwest Missouri. His formal education was in agriculture and extension education at MU.
Broermann now lives in California, close to one of his three daughters. He is a life member of the Missouri Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, an honorary society of extension professionals.
"Many people around here still remember Don fondly," says Mark Stillwell, MU Extension Central Region Director and North Central Regional Representative for Epsilon Sigma Phi. "It's wonderful that Don chose this way to benefit extension and honor the relationships he developed over many years."