Missouri

Missouri's state chapter of Heroes to Hives has brought on board Shirin Ghatrehsamani, an agricultural engineer, to assist with developing resources that support 21st century emerging technologies. Shirin will focus efforts on developing education-based resources and products that support veteran farmers, farm families, and their dependents over 18 years of age. Heroes to Hives Missouri Chapter is supported by Missouri AgrAbility and Missouri's Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development programs. Follow Missouri's Chapter of Heroes to Hives on Facebook.

Submitted by: Tevin Uthlaut, Brenda Schreck and Karen Funkenbusch

The Missouri AgrAbility Project (MAP) has been busy throughout the month of January. Lincoln University Cooperative Extension's Innovative Small Farmers' Outreach Program (ISFOP) in collaboration with the University of Missouri Extension (UME) has:

• Hired two videographers to highlight success stories and film educational segments to be posted on the Missouri AgrAbility YouTube channel. Social media platforms will be used as contingency for COVID-19 safety guidelines for staff and clientele.
  
• Hired an agricultural engineer to develop materials that assist farmers with disabilities.
  
• Published an eBook authored by David Middleton, an ISFOP & Missouri AgrAbility outreach coordinator, about direct marketing beef and about AgrAbility services for farmers with disabilities and their farm families.
  
• An article highlighting the Jesup Wagon 2.0 method of education and Missouri AgrAbility Program was published in the January edition of the 1890 Association of Extension Administrators (AEA) Newsletter.
  
• David Middleton and Susan Jaster, LUCE ISFOP staff members and Missouri AgrAbility outreach coordinators, will help Missouri's NC Farm and Ranch Stress Team members connect with and engage underserved farmers, youth, and farm families about mental health services, resources, and programs available in their rural agricultural communities.

Submitted by: Shon Bishop, David Middleton and Susan Jaster

Staff Changes and Recognition

Brenda Schreck, a University of Missouri Extension county engagement specialist in livestock and youth development based in Lewis County, located in the Northeast region, joined the MO AgrAbility team. She is an FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Preventative Controls qualified individual, working with elevator firms to ensure they are compliant with USDA quality food regulations and guidelines. Brenda will serve as the Missouri AgrAbility outreach coordinator for the Northeast region. In this position, Schreck will assist with facilitating AgrAbility onsite farmstead assessments, in addition to developing, presenting, and delivering Extension education-based programs on ergonomics, work gloves, emerging technologies, and tools to prevent secondary injuries. In her six years with MU Extension, Brenda's focus has been on the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer program, Northeast Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Association, the USDA FSMA program, Lewis and Marion County Cattlemen Association, and youth in agriculture program efforts. When she is not at work, Brenda, her husband, and young daughter run a registered Hereford cattle herd.