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Missouri legislators participate in showcase of MU Extension programs

Published: Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Story Source: Soneeta Grogan 573-769-2071

SHELBYVILLE, Mo. - Three state legislators and an aide to a U.S. congressman learned about University of Missouri Extension programs Oct. 12 during the Northeast Region Program Showcase at North Shelby School, Shelby County.

Guests included state Rep. Brian Munzlinger (R-1); state Rep. Tom Shively (D-8); state Sen. Wes Shoemyer (D-18); Tanner Smith, field representative for U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-9); Northeast Region county commissioners and members of the Northeast Regional Extension Council.

At the North Shelby School gymnasium, guests rotated among 11 different stations for mini-presentations and informal discussions with almost two dozen MU Extension faculty representing the primary extension program areas: 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business Development, Community Development, Continuing Education and Human Environmental Sciences.

Some stations included extension "customers" such as Kevin Nichols of Macon. After losing his job twice due to outsourcing, Nichols took advantage of MU Extension's business development programs and now runs his own company, which recently expanded from seven to nine employees.

"The showcase was even more successful than I expected," said Kenny Lovelace, Northeast Regional Extension Council chairman. "Council members and elected officials from almost every county in the region attended. I've never seen people sitting around tables more interested in what they were learning."

Lovelace asked attendees to find at least two people unfamiliar with MU Extension and educate those people about its programs and services.

From left: state Sen. Wes Shoemyer, Tanner Smith (field representative for U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer), state Rep. Brian Munzlinger, state Rep. Tom Shively
Photo credit: MU Cooperative Media Group

Business owner Kevin Nichols (left) with MU Extension business development specialists Charles Holland and Chris Shoemaker
Photo credit: MU Cooperative Media Group

From left: Beverly Coberly, MU Extension off-campus operations director; Northeast Regional Director Soneeta Grogan; Kenny Lovelace, Northeast Regional Extension Council chairman; state Sen. Wes Shoemyer; Tanner Smith from the staff of U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer; state Rep. Brian Munzlinger; state Rep. Tom Shively
Photo credit: MU Cooperative Media Group