Community digest 12/13/04

Conservation Service to hold public meeting

The Natural Resources Conservation Service will hold a public informational meeting on the financial and technical assistance available to land-owners in 2005 at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the lower level of the University of Missouri Extension Office, 480 W. Jackson Trail, Jackson. Missouri landowners interested in participating in the funding programs are urged to apply by Jan. 14 to be eligible for the next round of funding. Information about NRCS programs is also available online at www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov/ programs.

Conservation district holds annual tour

The Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District will conduct its annual tour of practices at 9 a.m. Thursday at the USDA Service Center in Benton, Mo. The tour will include practices that have used Missouri State Cost-Share and Natural Resources Conservation Service funding. Lunch follows the tour. Call the NRCS office at (573) 545-3593, extension 3 to attend.

Dance, silent auction to raise money for family

A benefit dance and silent auction will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Jan. 2 at the Jackson Knights of Columbus Hall for infant Ethan James DeSpain, born prematurely at Saint Francis Medical Center. His family needs help with medical bills. Donations for the silent auction are being accepted. Call Barry Pender at (573) 450-4162 for more information.

-- From staff reports