This is a general overview of the University of Missouri Extension Texas County office.
A good place to start is with a brief history of MU Extension and the role it has played over the years. It all primarily goes back to the establishment of Land Grant Colleges in 1862. Land was given by the federal government to create public colleges to educate citizens in the areas of agriculture, home-economics, mechanical arts and other practical professions. The University of Missouri became the first land-grant university in Missouri.
In 1887, legislation was passed mandating that land-grant universities establish agricultural research stations to assist farmers and insure a safe food supply. Today the University of Missouri conducts research on several research farms and centers throughout the state, continuing to fulfill this mandate.
The Cooperative Agricultural Extension Service, a partnership between federal, state and county agencies, was established in 1914 enabling the University to reach all people, not just students.
Many people are familiar with MU Extension because of the role it plays in supporting youth through 4-H education programs. 4-H became part of cooperative extension in 1927 and today one in five youth in Missouri from ages 5 to 19 participate in 4-H activities. There are nearly 1,100 4-H clubs and programs statewide, including four in Texas County, providing youth with education, leadership, citizenship and special-interest activities.
In 1955, state legislation required counties to establish county extension councils to advise the University of Missouri on educational programming needs. Today, some 1,600 elected, appointed and delegated citizens volunteer their time and effort to local extension councils. Please take note of who’s serving on the Texas County Extension Council and thank them when you get the chance. Appropriations from county commissions provide operating funds for county extension offices and secretarial support. A recent independent review revealed that for every dollar spent on local MU Extension efforts, $11 of public value is created.
In Texas County, current MU Extension programs include Family Nutrition, 4-H, Business Development, Continuing Education and Agriculture and Natural Recourses. Specifically in agriculture, there have been programs in horticulture, livestock and forage production. Hundreds of soil and forage samples are analyzed every year to help Texas County producers make informed decisions on their farms.
As shown by the history of MU Extension, we are here to serve and assist. If you have any questions about ongoing programs, production problems or would like more information about a specific topic, please feel free to contact the Texas County Extension office to discuss things with a specialist or plan a farm visit. Understanding the needs of local farmers is crucial for MU Extension to ensure that it is meeting its mandate to assist farmers.
Don’t forget to pick up your blue farm tax record book and 2019 Integrated Resource Management Redbook. Both are available for purchase at the Texas County Extension office.
For more information, call MU Extension agriculture educator Eric Meusch at the Extension office in Houston at 417-967-4545. The office is located at 114 W. Main St. in Houston; hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.