ROCK PORT, Mo. – For more than 30 years, the University of Missouri Graves-Chapple Extension and Education Center near Rock Port has provided information to help growers increase their profitability and continue to be good stewards of their land and the environment.

To meet the growing needs of the center, the Graves-Chapple advisory board has secured initial funding from the Missouri legislature for a new building.

“When not being used for workshops or other teaching activities, the facility would serve as additional storage to help reduce maintenance and operation costs for the center’s equipment by protecting it from the harsh weather,” said Jim Crawford, the center’s director.

Initially started to demonstrate and advocate for no-till farming practices, Graves-Chapple has grown to more than 200 acres and provides information on crop fertility, variety selections, herbicides and many other aspects of row crop and forage production.

“While operated by University of Missouri Extension, the center relies heavily upon local producers and agribusinesses to provide input into research and demonstration projects to meet their needs,” said Crawford.

The building will be a 60-by-80-foot pole barn with a 30-foot hangar door on one side and a 24-foot rollup door on the other. The floor will be epoxy-coated for ease of maintenance as well as aesthetics. A concrete pad in the front will provide accessible parking during events.

“This funding is a great start to construction of this facility,” said Crawford. “However, the advisory board is working with local businesses and individuals to raise additional funds to finish the facility. There are both individual and business donor options.”

Donations can be made through Mizzou Give Direct at tinyurl.com/GravesChapple or by stopping by the MU Extension Center in Atchison County, located in the Velma Houts Fair Building, 201 U.S. Highway 136, Rock Port.

All donors will be recognized at the ribbon-cutting for the new building, Aug. 22 during the 2023 Graves-Chapple field day, as well as on a plaque mounted in the facility.