MU Extension in Caldwell County honors local leaders, Century Farms

KINGSTON, Mo. – On Tuesday, Feb. 10, the Caldwell County MU Extension Council celebrated the previous year’s successes at its annual meeting. The meeting is an opportunity to honor and express thanks to supporters of MU Extension and 4-H programming, local community members, and those who have served on the MU Extension Council. Highlights of the event included the Leader’s Honor Roll awards, Century Farm recognition and Extension Council oaths of office.

At this year’s meeting, Jim Humphrey, MU Extension livestock field specialist, presented about virtual fencing, an emerging technology that utilizes GPS-enabled collars to create invisible boundary lines.

Leader Honor Roll award

Each year, MU Extension recognizes leaders across the state for their many contributions in helping carry out the extension mission. Nominees are selected based on their community leadership efforts that support MU Extension’s strategic direction and program priorities such as enhanced economic viability; building strong individuals, families and communities; and creating and sustaining healthy environments.

This year’s award winners were Bud and Betty Motsinger, and Debbie Clevenger.

Bud and Betty Motsinger have been involved in many positions/volunteer opportunities in Caldwell County for the past 50 years. Bud first came to Caldwell County as the MU Extension area agronomist in February 1979. In the 90s, however, with funding reduced at the University of Missouri, Bud’s job was eliminated. In 1995, Bud was appointed to the Extension Council as a Farm Bureau representative. His goal has always been to see the extension center and funding re-established in Caldwell County and quality programs held in Caldwell County. MU Extension has always been a very active part of the Motsingers’ family life. Their children were active in the Hamilton Whizzers 4-H club and later Hamilton Achievers 4-H club. Both Bud and Betty have served as project leaders in the past and have served as 4-H judges for county fair projects, demonstration days, contest and achievement day and many other recognition programs.

Debbie Clevenger has been the leader, and then co/leader, of the Achievers 4-H club for several years. Debbie says the trick is to just keep providing the opportunities for the youth and be patient waiting on parents who don't mind getting involved. It is not possible to have a fully successful year with just one or two people leading; parents and grandparents are vital. Debbie believes the most important part of her job as leader/co-leader is to keep everyone informed. Parents are busy and as leaders, and we must work to remind them of opportunities their children can participate in through 4-H. There are a lot of opportunities in 4-H that helped her children and continue to help children flourish today. 4-H is what you make of it. Debbie might get to be the leader/co-leader, but our club has an outstanding support system within it, and I am thankful to each parent/grandparent for that. Additionally, we have always experienced tremendous community support, and she appreciates the support from her community, extension staff and commissioners.

Century Farms recognition

One Century Farm from Caldwell County was at the meeting. The John Farmer family farm, in Lincoln Township, was established in 1900 and is presently owned by Mike and Marsha Farmer. For more than 126 years, three successive generations of the Farmer family have maintained continuous ownership and management of the property. The Missouri Century Farm Program recognizes families who have contributed to local, state, national and international agriculture by owning and operating the same Missouri farm for 100 years or more.

Council members recognized, officers elected

The event also introduced newly elected and appointed Extension Council members: Carley Mackeprang, Tracy Carman, Kellie Waldron and Shawn Schuyler will be sworn in at the next council meeting. Current members attending were Teresa Fordyce, Dana Still, Sarah Cramer, Justin Pollard, Cheryl Corbin, Dale Akey (commissioner appointee) and Bud Motsinger (Farm Bureau appointee). Chelsea Corkins, extension engagement specialist with MU Extension, thanked all council members for leadership and dedication, recognizing that “through the years, MU Extension Councils have been shining examples of what the partnership between county, region, and campus can be. An active county extension council plays a large role in that success.”

The primary function of the extension council is to assist and give guidance to the university extension specialists concerning programs and activities conducted in Caldwell County and the Northwest Region. The council is also responsible for securing funds to operate the local office, approving extension staff assigned to the county and overseeing payment of expenses. Ed Creason, Teresa Fordyce and Cheryl Corbin were thanked for their services as they each ended their current term with the Caldwell County MU Extension Council.

The 2026-2027 slate of council officer candidates was presented: Dana Still, chair; Justin Pollard, vice-chair; Tracy Carman, secretary; and Sarah Cramer, treasurer. The slate was approved by the council and Dale Akey, county commissioner, officiated with the oath of office for the new officers.

Teresa Fordyce concluded the program by recognizing and thanking the 2025-2026 council members, MU Extension faculty and county staff for their work throughout the year and for planning this year’s meeting.

The Caldwell County Extension Council meets the second Tuesday of each month at the Caldwell County MU Extension Center, 49 E. Broadway, Kingston. For more information, call 816-586-1010.