EXTENSION OPEN HOUSE SET TODAY

JACKSON -- Almost 85 years of Missouri Extension is being observed this week during University Extension Week.

Missouri Extension, from a meager beginning in August 1912 at Jackson, will be observed statewide May 19-25.

University Extension will host an open house at the Extension Center in Jackson today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"Old and new friends are invited to help celebrate the 84 years of Cape Girardeau County Extension," said Gerald Bryan, agronomy specialist at the Jackson office.

Thousand of Missourians are involved in Extension, which has flourished in Cape Girardeau County since it began with one county agriculture agent. The agent was later joined by a home-making agent, then a 4-H agent.

Clubs were formed to aid in education. Homemaker clubs, 4-H clubs, and Farm Bureau resulted from these efforts, providing educational and leadership opportunities to thousands of Cape Girardeau countians.

Currently, five staff members provide programs in agriculture (livestock and agronomy, human development, youth, business and industry).

These specialists are joined by specialists in nutrition, family economics, farm management, community and economic development and other agriculture areas to present programs and educational needs.