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Local farm family, 4‑H member describe benefits of St. Francois County Extension programs
Summary
At a county meeting, Amber Wampler and her daughter, Eva, described how Extension services — from hay and soil testing to pesticide applicator training and 4‑H projects — support agriculture and youth programs in St. Francois County.
Amber Wampler, a St. Francois County farm resident, told county officials that the Extension office provides “essential” services her family uses for row crops and livestock. Wampler detailed hay and soil testing, pesticide applicator training, educational publications and the Show‑Me‑Select heifer program as services that support her farm’s cattle, registered pygmy goats and show hogs.
Wampler said the Extension office facilitates private pesticide applicator training her husband needs to buy and apply restricted chemicals. “Without them facilitating that program, he can't do his job in this county,” she said.
Wampler described the Show‑Me‑Select Heifer program as a way to buy productive, pregnant heifers that reduce calving problems and require less hands‑on care. She also said Extension meetings cover hay foraging, tractor repair and introductions to USDA loan officers.
Eva Walker, Wampler’s daughter and a 4‑H participant, described youth programming supported by Extension. She said Extension funding helped pay for trips to the state capitol and for 4‑H projects, including a broiler (meat chicken) project that she said taught responsibility and helped raise money for her college fund. “Raising the chickens has been a good amount of knowledge to use,” Walker said. She also described STEM activities — micro:bit coding projects and a planned aerospace camp for which she received a scholarship.
Kendra (Extension staff) introduced Wampler and Walker and said a written report from the Extension office will be included in the meeting minutes.
The presenters emphasized both agricultural services (testing and training) and youth education (4‑H, STEM and camps) as primary uses of Extension resources. Wampler also noted the county’s farm acreage and economic impact: “You really don't realize how many farms are in this county and how much of an impact economically it is … thousands of acres that are in farm production.”
County commissioners and attendees asked follow‑up questions about everyday farming technology such as GPS guidance and the use of drones for spraying. Wampler answered that GPS and drone use have become common tools that reduce overlap in fertilizer and chemical applications and lower costs.
The presentation closed with thanks to Extension staff and volunteers who run 4‑H projects and public programs; officials recorded the presentation and indicated the written report would be filed with the minutes.
