Every year, more than 1 million Missourians turn to University of Missouri Extension to gain practical knowledge, solve problems, adapt to change and make informed decisions.
By tapping into statewide university research, MU Extension specialists provide Missourians with a wide range of programs in agriculture, community development, human environmental sciences, business development, youth development and continuing education.
All programs are reliable and relevant because they respond to the specific needs of Missourians. Here are just a few examples of recent accomplishments.
Missourians Help Missourians
17,300 volunteers contribute 2.7 million hours of time valued at $46 million annually (based on Missouri standard of $17 value per volunteer hour).
Nutrition Education Reduces Health Costs
$1.5 million in federal funds invested each year for teaching families healthy eating habits results in an estimated annual reduction of $13.1 million in future medical costs.
4-H Increases Earning Potential
Students who participate in 4-H programs are 70 percent more likely to go to college and enjoy increased financial success.
Business Development Programs Help Entrepreneurs
Professionals Improving Themselves
More than 100,000 enrollments a year in continuing and distance education programs include teachers, doctors, nurses, veterinarians, public safety personnel and business owners.
Adults Transition From Welfare to Work
1,800 copies of Tackling the Tough Skills™: A Curriculum Building Skills for Work and Life have been purchased in 50 states and 15 countries. Created by an MU Extension urban specialist, the book helps adults transition from welfare to work, and teaches hard-to-reach teens and adults important skills such as conflict resolution, problem solving and anger management.
Storm Warning Sirens Save Lives
MU Extension leadership program graduates helped 24 North Missouri communities obtain $173,583 in grants and install emergency warning sirens that have saved lives and an estimated $856,785 in emergency and recovery expenses.
Children of Offenders Beat the Odds
A small investment has provided 248 incarcerated parents and caregivers, as well as 344 children and teens of offenders, with ongoing life- and skill-enhancing programs, reducing the chances of those children becoming offenders themselves.
Web Site Transforms Data Into Useful Information
475,000 unique users download 12.7 million pages annually from MU Extension’s Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis Web site. The Missouri Senior Report 2007 findings were incorporated into a national online report on aging and health by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
New Dairies Add Value to State
New pasture-based dairies, modeled on MU Extension’s rotational grazing systems, have generated 770 jobs and added more than $87 million to Missouri’s economy.
Updated 1/30/09
