Specialists with MU Extension are active in each of Missouri’s 114 counties and St. Louis.

There’s deep appreciation in communities – and from state legislators – for the work they do in critical areas such as agriculture, rural health, rural broadband, 4-H and community development.

The state recently acknowledged that impact with an additional $5M investment in Extension. Their support is helping us increase personnel around Missouri in specialties like agronomy and livestock toxicology while also starting new construction projects.

I enjoyed the opportunity to give a campus update to a standing-room-only crowd of Extension faculty and staff, along with hundreds who attended remotely. I also asked for input on the qualities and experience they’d like to see in our next vice chancellor for extension and engagement and welcomed the candid conversation.

Mizzou has a land-grant mission to share our research, teaching and engagement with Missourians. MU Extension is a critical part of that work.

— Mun