Front Porch Conversations with Garden People

Contact: Reagan Bluel, dairy specialist
Headquartered in Barry County
Tel: (417)  847-3161
E-mail: BluelRJ@missouri.edu

CASSVILLE, Mo. -- Are you ready to put away the watering can?  Are you tired of dragging hoses around to water thirsty plants? 

Bill Greet, Master Gardener of the Ozarks member and volunteer, will discuss the option of installing a drip irrigation system in your home garden.  The above-ground hose and emitters are inexpensive and easy to install and can reduce your time in the garden significantly.

See his presentation and join the discussion at the next “Front Porch Conversation” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11 in the lower level of the Cassville Library in Cassville.

The Front Porch series of gardening presentations is co-sponsored by the Cassville Friends of the Library and the Barry County Master Gardeners. 

“Greet has been active in many Master Gardener project gardens and speaks from his experiences in various planting situations,” said Reagan Bluel, county program director for University of Missouri Extension in Barry County.

For more information call the Barry County Extension office at (417)  847-3161.

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Oral History Festival and One-Room School Reunion Added to Lifestyle Days Event in Springfield

Learn how to collect an oral history and see a demonstration with a former one-room school attendee starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17 inside Liberty School at the Gray-Campbell Farmstead, located inside Nathanael Greene Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo.

The “Collecting Oral Histories” portion of the class begins at 9 a.m. and there is a $10 fee to cover the cost of materials. However, the first 25 people to pre-register will receive a Gray-Campbell Farmstead t-shirt. The interview portion of the program — with a former one-room school attendee — begins close to 10 a.m.

The “One-Room School Reunion” kicks off at 11:30 a.m. in conjunction with the Lifestyle Expo. There will be tours of Liberty School, special exhibits highlighting one-room schools in Greene County, time to socialize with other one-room school attendees, period math quizzes, a spelling bee, and more.

To register for the oral history program, visit the Greene County Extension office or contact them at 417-881-8909 or reach David Burton by email at burtond@missouri.edu.

25th Annual

Gray-Campbell Farmstead

1860s Lifestyle Exposition

Sept 17-18, 2016

Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, 11 a.m.—4:30 p.m.

Events during the day include horseshoe pitching, seed spitting, hearth cooking, fiber arts, music and dancing, lifestyle demonstrations, children’s costume contest, and tours of our historic buildings including the oldest home in Springfield, Mo.

NEW in 2016:

Oral History Festival & One-Room School Reunion

See article at left for details. Program starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday with oral history festival ($10 fee). This program is provided by Greene County Extension and the Missouri Historic Schools Alliance.

SPECIAL SCHEDULED EVENTS

· Old time fiddle and music jam at 11 a.m. Saturday

· Old fashioned brush arbor meeting at 11 a.m. Sunday

· Apple Pie baking contest at 3 p.m. Sunday

Located inside Nathanael Greene Park and Springfield Botanical Gardens, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, Mo.

Free Admission * Donations Accepted

Food concessions will be available

For information call (417) 725-4922 or visit www.graycampbellfarmstead.org.

Baker School in Grundy County Celebrates Milestone Anniversary

Baker School is one of three buildings that compose the Grundy County Museum campus in Trenton Mo.  This unimposing building stands alone as it represents all the 90 one-room schools that previously dotted Grundy County.  Baker School, the last one-room school to close in 1966, was relocated to its present location, 11^th and Tinsman Avenue, in 1996 where it can be enjoyed and experienced by many people.

Baker School was named for Christian Baker, who came to Grundy County in 1862 and gave the land for the school.  Gladys McCarty was the first teacher in 1918 and Letha McClure was the last teacher in 1964.  The building was donated to the museum by Vern and Marian VanHoozer. John Rice, museum board member, chaired the School House Committee and coordinated the $12,334.00 budget to relocate the building. 

Moving Baker School was a challenging project.  Trickel Construction Company and Hinnen Hauling combined to move the building and place it on a new foundation.  The 9^th Street bridge, a formidable obstacle, required the building to be cut in half for transport and then reassembled at the new location.  It was an interesting operation and a crowd assembled to see it pass over and through the 9^th Street Bridge with inches of clearance.

Most people know someone who attended a one-room school, but don’t feel sorry for them because they “turned out” fine regardless of the lack of today’s typical school programs.  It was a different time and a different experience.   Contrary to the stories about walking five miles through snow….and it was up-hill both ways, most students didn’t travel more than a mile. 

·        The teacher taught grades 1-8 without a teaching helper, a principal, guidance counselor or custodian.

·        There was no cafeteria - everyone brought their own lunch.

·        There was no bussing program and everyone got there on their own.

·        There was no gym or athletic program.

·        The Library usually consisted of about 25 reference books.

·        The school was also community meeting place where plays and social events were held, for example, the Box Suppers.

·        Chalkboards and individual slates were used rather than computers and iPads.

·        The restroom was usually an outhouse separated from the school building.

Today, Baker School looks just like it did in 1996 however there are a few subtle changes, the building is air conditioned and you won’t have to bring in a scuttle of coal for the pot-bellied stove where the teacher sometimes cooked a kettle of soup for everyone.  It is a fun place to visit and learn about all the 90 one-room schools in Grundy County.  Serving as a repository of information about all the schools, you can read newspaper stories and see pictures of those schools and many of the students and teachers.

Greene County Extension and Springfield Cardinals, together for one night only!

As a Friend of Greene County Extension you are invited to join Greene County Extension Council members and local MU Extension staff at the Springfield Cardinals field for a baseball game and fireworks on August 26.

We have a limited number (50) of seats available. These are dugout seats and we are making them available for $10 a ticket. By joining us in the fun you will also receive a Springfield Cardinals baseball cap (free-of-charge) and you have the option of purchasing a black MU Extension t-shirt for $10 (while supplies last). Visit or call our office to claim your tickets (before Aug. 11) and join our group for a fun evening on Aug. 26.

Financial Issues and Stress in Farm Communities Topics of Meeting July 11 in Springfield

Contact: Wesley Tucker, agriculture business specialist
Headquartered in Polk County
Tel: (417) 326-4916
E-mail: tuckerw@missouri.edu

BOLIVAR, Mo. –  Financial issues and stress in farm communities at the topics of a  public meeting held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., July 11 at the Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, 6821 West Independence (Exit 70 off of I-44), Springfield, Mo.

“The purpose of the meeting is to gather information rather than just tell economic outlooks,” said Wesley Tucker, ag business specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture and MU Extension are joining in talks this summer with agricultural stakeholders. Farmers, agribusiness leaders and farm organization members are urged to attend the free meeting.

Volatile prices for crops, livestock, and inputs can hurt farm income and rural communities.  Information gathered can inform local leaders and guide educational and follow-up action.

The meeting agenda will open with statements from leaders with the Missouri Department of Agriculture and MU Extension. The main part of the meeting will be a locally selected panel of farmers, agribusinesses, organizations and state and federal agencies.  Participants will be asked “What are the next steps.”

Regional weather impacts will also be discussed as the season has started with volatile weather patterns.  Topics include declining crop and livestock prices, lower land values, and broad-issue impacts on local areas.

“The overriding issue will be the financial stresses in rural economies. Participants will be asked to address risk management help needed,” said Tucker.

To register to attend please call 417-326-4916 or email polkco@missouri.edu.
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