What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I am a field specialist in agronomy serving six counties in the southwest region. Based in West Plains, Missouri, I conduct educational programs for producers in forage production and management. I also participate with local farmer cooperators with on-farm demonstrations concerning grazing management, weed control and fertility…
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Annie’s Project empowered Marion County farmer Amy Lehenbauer
Lehenbauer became active in the family farm after participating in the program.
Annie’s Project, a program offered by University of Missouri Extension for two decades, gave Amy Lehenbauer the confidence she needed to become active in the family farm. Lehenbauer is one of more than 19,000 women across the nation who completed the program during the past 20 years, says MU Extension agriculture business specialist Karisha Devlin. The program celebrates two decades…
Q&A with Ray Massey
Ray Massey is an extension professor in agricultural economics
What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I am an extension economist in the Division of Applied Social Sciences. My primary responsibilities revolve around crop production economics. I tend to focus on the intersection of production and the environment. So, I have done research and education on manure value, biosecurity, managing under extreme weather…
Q&A with Nick Wesslak
Nick is a field specialist in agronomy serving the northeast region.
What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I am an agronomy field specialist based in Marion County. I cover the eight northeast counties of Missouri. How long have you worked in this position? I have worked in this position since April 2022. What is your favorite part about the work you do? It is…
MU Extension helps farmers in the Bahamas
Partnership with Springfield-based nonprofit strengthens food security internationally.
When Hal Donaldson was a young man, he got to meet Mother Teresa. “What are you doing to help the poor?” she asked him. Well, I better not lie to Mother Teresa, he thought to himself, so he said, “I’m not really doing much of anything.” That encounter changed him. Donaldson committed himself to a life of service to others.…
Q&A with Alan Spell
Alan is an assistant extension professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences.
What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I’m an assistant extension professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences where I specialize in economic development research. Economic development is a broad topic but basically involves industry and workforce analysis and occasional contract work. I’m part of the MU Extension Exceed team and every few…
Heroes to Hives and other MU Extension programs help veterans
Workshops help veterans make the transition from military to civilian life
Beginning farmer and 25-year Army veteran Eric Work’s calendar is full of educational programs offered by University of Missouri Extension. “MU Extension programs are a godsend,” Work says. “I benefit from the amazing, high-quality learning opportunities that University of Missouri Extension continually provides, not only to veterans but many other diverse groups that are interested in learning and potentially pursuing…
Q&A with Jerry Richards
Jerry is a feral hog outreach educator based in Potosi, MO
What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I am a feral hog outreach educator working through the University of Missouri Extension offices in the southern part of the state. My job is to connect with landowners and help them eliminate “wild” feral hogs that are damaging their property and then restore the land to its…
Q&A with Joni Harper
Joni is a county engagement specialist in agriculture and environment
What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I am a county engagement specialist in agriculture and environment. I am involved in several MU Extension programs, like Heroes to Hives, for which I am the co-PI and one of the lead team members. I’m trained in delivering the Q.P.R. suicide prevention training and teach Weathering…
Q&A with Travis Harper
Travis is a field specialist in agronomy.
What do you do in your current role with the University of Missouri? I am a field specialist in agronomy. I’m involved in several programs, including Private Pesticide Applicator Training, Missouri Grazing Schools, Heroes to Hives, Native Warm-Season Grass Group, Beginner Farmer/Rancher, Missouri AgrAbility, Master Gardener, and Master Pollinator Steward. I also often work with cover crops, novel-endophyte fescue research…