SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Greene County residents may choose from 11 candidates to fill eight seats on the county’s University of Missouri Extension Council during the public election held Jan. 16-20, 2017. Anyone who is age 18 or older and a Greene County resident is eligible to vote.
A ballot and complete candidate biographies are online at http://extension.missouri.edu/greene.
The online ballot is the preferred method of casting a ballot since it is open 24-hours a day, Jan. 16-20. A ballot can also be printed off the extension website and returned to the office. To be counted, the completed and mailed ballot must be postmarked by Jan. 20.
Those without access to the Internet can also vote by printed ballot between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Greene County’s MU Extension Center, 2400 S. Scenic, Springfield, Mo. (Extension offices are closed Monday, Jan. 16 for Martin Luther King’s birthday).
The following 11 persons are candidates for eight seats, all of which carry two-year terms.
Tony Ahart (Springfield) grew up on a large dairy farm. He has used MU Extension information for years, most recently as a Master Gardener volunteer.
Lisa Bakerink (Springfield) grew up on a Century Farm and was active in 4-H. She now works closely with MU Extension as the Executive Director of Friends of the Garden.
Catherine Banks (Springfield) has lived in Greene County most of her life. She is a Master Gardener and chairs the Plant Sale Fundraiser committee.
Jim Garton (Springfield) grew up on a farm, served in the US Navy, worked in accounting, and became a Master Gardener after retiring.
Tyler Gunlock (Ash Grove) is a University of Missouri alum. Since 2011, he has been helping with the family farm and starting a farm of his own.
Kent John (Springfield) has previously served on a farm co-op and on the board of directors for Universal Co-op Automotive Division. He moved to Springfield with his wife to be closer to his grandchildren.
Peter Longley (Springfield) has a varied professional life and extensive gardening experience. He is a painter, author, guest lecturer and is on staff at the Springfield Botanical Gardens.
Samantha Mosier (Willard) is Assistant Professor of Political Science at MSU. Her research focuses on local environmental sustainability policies and US alternative/sustainability food policies and politics.
Kathy Rapp (Willard) is an Emeritus Master Gardener with 17 years of experience in the hotline room and has been the chair of the chapter’s marketing and PR committee.
Bobbi Ream (Springfield) grew up in 4-H. She is a community volunteer and has been an active member of the Master Gardener program.
Jason Whitesell (Ash Grove) is Vice-President for Old Missouri Bank and is involved with agricultural lending on a daily basis.
Every county in Missouri has a publicly elected extension council. Members are elected to represent the educational needs and backgrounds of people in Greene County.
County extension councils are the governing body for local educational opportunities provided by University of Missouri Extension. Council members work with extension faculty in making decisions concerning extension programs, personnel, council elections and the local extension budget.
For many years, ballots were mailed to county residents. However, in 2008, due to budget issues, the balloting process changed to a secure online system developed by MU Extension.
— David Burton, University of Missouri Extension
For more news from Missouri, click here.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
MARYSVILLE, Ohio — The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association’s (OCA) Beef Exhibitor Show Total (BEST) program wrapped up the 2021-2022 BEST season on May 7 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus. More than 800 BEST exhibitors and families gathered to watch youth receive awards for their show success, cattle industry knowledge, photography skills, community service efforts and […]
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missourians experienced a wide variety of weather in 2021, from extreme cold in February and record December warmth to summer floods, fall drought and winter tornadoes, says University of Missouri Extension state climatologist Pat Guinan. Despite these extremes, the Show-Me State overall had a favorable growing season in 2021. January: Overcast and […]
MARIANNA, Fla. — A Farm-City Celebration has been held annually in Jackson County for the past 48 years. Last year the recognition was virtual via a social media video, but this year’s celebration was a public breakfast once again. The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Farm Credit of Northwest Florida, Jackson County Farm Bureau, and […]
