`BRANCH-OUT' GRANTS

JEFFERSON CITY--A partnership between local organizations and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will enable 50 cities to plant 3,200 trees in the coming year, according to State Forester Gerald Ross.

Ross said MDC designed the Branch Out Missouri program to encourage planting trees on public land in cities.

MDC's cost share of the 50 projects will total $123,000, while communities will contribute nearly $85,000.

City governments, school districts, chambers of commerce and other organizations will receive grants.

Southeast Missouri sites selected for grants include Farmington, Perryville, Caruthersville, Hayti, Sikeston, and Kennett.