Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Extension Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
University Extension Office reports wide outreach, grants and small-business assistance in annual summary
Summary
Kendra Graham, an Extension engagement specialist, told the St. Francois County Commission the office reached over 3,000 people directly and more than 135,000 indirectly last year, secured about $115,000 in grants since 2021, and helped 54 small-business clients win roughly $409,000 in contracts.
Kendra Graham, an extension engagement specialist for the University of Missouri Extension, told the St. Francois County Commission the county27s Extension Office reached more than 3,000 people directly and ran roughly 402 programming sessions last year, with indirect outreach via newsletters and social media reaching about 135,000 people.
Graham said 4-H programming directly involved 847 youth and 84 registered volunteers; the county27s horticulture specialist served 184 direct participants; staff processed more than 150 soil tests; and the Parkland Master Gardener program contributed volunteer hours the office valued at about $4,400. She said the office has attracted approximately $115,000 in grants since 2021, largely for STEM programming and equipment, and highlighted that the Farmington Show Me Select cattle sale generated nearly $1,000,000 in sales in 2025.
The office also described a small-business development program housed at the Farmington Chamber of Commerce. Graham said that specialist helped 54 clients secure about $409,000 in government contracts and encouraged businesses to use the free service.
"My name is Kendra Graham, and I am an extension engagement specialist," Graham said in presenting the annual report. "We reached over 3,000 people directly and ... indirect reach was over 135,000."
Shay Davis, introduced by Graham as the 2025 extension council chair, thanked the commission for office space in the courthouse and urged officials to consider the impact of any loss of that space on program access and visibility. "If anything needs to happen, please take into consideration that that is going to be difficult for our office to absorb more lost space," Davis said.
Graham told commissioners the office27s annual summary is available on the front table and invited follow-up questions after the meeting.
What happens next: Commissioners acknowledged the report and asked no formal follow-up motions; Graham said she was available for questions after the meeting.
