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MU Extension staff outline summer programming for Cole County — 4‑H, horticulture, health classes and fair preparations
Summary
University of Missouri Extension staff presented a quarterly update on June 3 describing health and nutrition programming, horticulture assistance, livestock services and 4‑H summer activities serving Cole County residents.
MU Extension staff delivered a quarterly report to the Cole County Commission on June 3 describing a range of summer and year‑round programming available to county residents, including health and chronic disease classes, horticulture assistance, livestock programming and a busy schedule for 4‑H ahead of the county fair.
The presenter said individual field specialists serving the Tri‑County area include Kathy Deacon (nutrition and health), Drew (horticulture), Christy Bridal (livestock) and Sean Eberly (4‑H youth development). The presenter told commissioners that Deacon runs chronic‑disease self‑management courses and evidence‑based fall‑prevention programs such as Stay Strong, Stay Healthy and Tai Chi. Deacon has recently completed certification in a revised Tai Chi curriculum and is piloting the updated course with state specialists.
The horticulture specialist, identified in the presentation as Drew, is working on the Master Pollinator program and responding to high volumes of calls and walk‑ins about plant pests, pruning and other gardening issues. The presenter described one ongoing diagnostic case involving a tomato plant with unusual growth patterns; staff are testing whether the issue is mosaic virus, excess nitrogen or a pesticide effect.
Christy Bridal’s livestock work includes recent Show‑Me‑Select sales, and Sean Eberly said 4‑H programming is entering a busy season: summer programming at West Elementary during summer school (daily 30‑minute sessions across grades), upcoming summer camp, and county fair preparations in July.
The presenter closed by inviting residents and county officials to contact Extension if they have opportunities to partner or need assistance; the presenter said contact information appears on the distributed impact report and added, “we're just gonna keep going along, trying to meet the needs of people in Cole County.”
No formal county action was taken on the Extension report; commissioners received the presentation as an informational update.
