Missouri Leads the Nation With Passage of Good Neighbor Week Bill
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri Governor Mike Parsons signed HB1738 on Friday, July 1, 2022, which includes language designating Missouri Good Neighbor Week starting on National Good Neighbor Day (Sept. 28) and continuing for six days.The measure is a first for our nation, and it comes at a time when a reminder about the value of neighbors is desperately needed, according to University of Missouri Extension Community Development Specialist…
53 Missourians attend online training to learn to be a neighborhood connector for Good Neighbor Week
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension and The Hopeful Neighborhood Project are expanding their annual celebration of National Good Neighbor Day (Sept. 28) in 2022 with Missouri Good Neighbor Week (Sept. 28 – Oct. 4).This will be the fifth year of organizing a celebration of the national holiday and bringing attention to the engaged neighbor program, according to David Burton, county engagement specialist, MU Extension.
Topics announced for Neighboring 101 sessions
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – More than 500 people from across the United States are enrolled in a free online class offered monthly by University of Missouri Extension known as Neighboring 101.Class instructor and organizer David Burton, a community development specialist with MU Extension, says that since the class began in late 2019, courses and videos have had over 10,000 views or attendees.
MU Extension guide, spreadsheet help estimate farmland values
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Buyers and sellers who need an estimate of the value of a piece of farmland may not always find it feasible to get an appraisal, particularly one that reflects the land’s historical value needed to calculate taxes and settle estates.
10 Missouri small businesses prepare to “Elevate” beyond the second stage
Ten second-stage Missouri small businesses are learning from experts and each other how to move to the next level. Selected from across the state and representing the advertising, construction, health care, manufacturing, and retail trade industries, the following businesses are participating in the 2022 Elevate program supported and led by the Missouri Small Business Development Centers (SBDC).
MU Extension specialist wins 5 national awards at Neighborhoods USA conference
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – “I was a great neighbor until I discovered that I was not,” says David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Greene County. “I don't throw loud parties. I mow my yard regularly. I clean up my leaves. I even pick up after my dog when I take him on a walk.”
Becoming an Engaged Neighbor Begins With Learning Names of Nearest Neighbors; MU Extension Chart Can Help
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The vast majority of Americans do not know the names of their nearest neighbors, do not speak to those neighbors and do not know a personal fact about them. Most Americans have never had a conversation with their neighbor. Maybe they grunt when they pass on the street or wave when pulling out of the driveway, but that is its extent.
MU Extension Specialist Returns with Hardware from 47th Annual Neighborhoods USA Conference
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- David Burton, a community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension, came away from the 47th annual Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) national conference held in Little Rock, Arkansas (May 3 to May 7) with five coveted national awards in 10 possible categories.
Lawn Art With Neighbors (LAWN) displays community art in Greene County through May 8
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Exhibits in the third annual Lawn Art With Neighbors (LAWN) community arts program have popped up in Greene County and will be displayed April 23 - May 8, 2022. This year's "museum without walls" has addresses for 32 displays, including a couple of neighborhood art projects.
Board Chair of 100-Year Old Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Springfield Speaker at Mizzou Luncheon May 4
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Sally Hargis, vice-president and chair of the board for Coca-Cola/Dr. Pepper Bottling Company in Springfield, will be the guest speaker at the next Mizzou Community and Alumni Leadership Network meetings set for noon, May 4, at 425 Downtown, 425 Walnut St., Springfield, Mo.This free event is provided by the Greene County MU Extension Council. Each quarterly meeting features a guest speaker who is also a graduate of…
A key Missouri asset: MU Extension generated $1.2 billion economic impact in FY21
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Extension generated an estimated $1.2 billion economic impact throughout Missouri in fiscal year 2021, according to a recent impact analysis. That amount contributed to the University of Missouri System’s overall $6.5 billion economic impact statewide.
Residents Exceed Documentation Goal for Acts of Kindness Challenge; Kindness is Perfect Antidote for the Selfishness Virus
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Participants in this year's 100 Acts of Kindness Challenge helped the University of Missouri Extension document 873 kindness actions between March 20 and March 26, according to David Burton, a community development specialist with MU Extension.
Lawn Art With Neighbors (LAWN) Strengthens Social Bonds Through Art April 23 – May 8 in Greene County
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Along with the invigorating energy of Spring, Lawn Art With Neighbors (LAWN) is popping up near you from April 23 to May 8, 2022, with front lawn art created by your neighbors throughout Greene County.Think of it as a museum without walls says Deidre Argyle, an art professor at Missouri State and founder of LAWN.“LAWN is a city-wide public art exhibition made for front lawns by community members located in and…
Hog Wild
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Having grown up on a farm in the foothills of the Missouri Ozarks, Jerry Richards was prepared for droughts, snowstorms and torrential rains. He wasn’t prepared for feral hogs.
Neighboring 201 Classes Are Prerequisite to Neighboring Mini-Grants in Greene County
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension, is teaching two sessions of Neighboring 201 at local libraries to celebrate Mister Roger’s birthday on March 20. These classes provide an overview of neighboring, offer strategies for connecting, and explain how neighboring can improve your community, health, and quality of life.
Author Chris Rodell Shares About Mr. Rogers Real Neighborhood in Neighboring 101 Class March 17
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Chris Rodell, author of "Growing Up in Mr. Rogers' REAL Neighborhood: Life Lessons from the Heart of Latrobe, PA," will be the live guest in University of Missouri Extension's free monthly zoom class, Neighboring 101, starting at noon (CST) on Thursday, March 17.
Try These 100 Acts of Kindness To Celebrate Mister Rogers' Birthday on March 20
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - It only takes a small act of kindness to make a big difference in the life of someone in your community, like a service provider, a community leader, a lonely person or a neighbor.
Helping to Create Healthy, Engaged Neighbor Relationships is an Essential Part of Community Betterment
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Nearly 150 communities in Missouri have a "community betterment association" of some type. The goal of the community betterment association can vary from town to town.
Watercolor Notecards Provide a Personal Touch to Neighboring, Can be Relaxing
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- When a neighbor receives a kind note from us, especially if it is handwritten, they feel like the writer has a deeper desire to serve them or connect.“Isolated and lonely people desire a personal touch. This has always been true. But it is especially true during this period in our social history,” said David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
County endowment funds: a way of paying forward
Ever since Dr. Maude Harris, County Engagement Specialist in Nutrition and Health, started working for MU Extension in Scott County 26 years ago, she has donated a portion of each paycheck to her county's endowment fund. Over the years, those steady gifts have helped build up the endowment principal amount to the level where the fund now can be used to support programming.
Discover Assets in Urban Neighborhood the Story of "Having Nothing, Possessing Everything" Says Author Mike Mather
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Michael Mather, author of "Having Nothing, Possessing Everything," was a guest in University of Missouri Extension's Neighboring 101 class on Dec. 16, 2021.He advocates for asset-based community development and never doing something for someone in a community that they can do for themselves.
Mental Health & Self-Care
It is important to take care of our mental health through daily and weekly self-care. There are times in life when we are going to feel overwhelmed whether it’s impending deadlines, a long to-do list, tension with a family member or friend, everyone experiences stress. The response to that stress is what impacts our mental health.
Hundreds of Different Choices Define Neighboring Relationships
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Developing positive and loving relationships with your neighbors does not happen in one day or even one week. Instead, the relationship takes time and depends on hundreds of different choices, said David Burton, county engagement specialist with University of Missouri Extension.
Before Flying Your New Aerial Drone, Learn the Rules
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Dynamic Remotely Operated Navigation Equipment (DRONE) is at the top of many gift wish lists this year. But it is best to get acquainted with the rules for aerial drones before using one, according to Willa Williams, 4-H youth development specialist in Greene County with University of Missouri Extension.
Properly Fitted Bike Helmet Key to Reducing Injuries
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Bicycles remain a popular holiday gift purchase but the gift would be incomplete without a bicycle helmet according to Willa Williams, 4-H youth specialist in Greene County with University of Missouri Extension and a League Cycling Instructor. “When people are thinking about buying bicycles this holiday, remember to include a bicycle helmet,” said Williams. “All bike riders should wear bicycle helmets.”