Local leaders honored by MU Extension

A duo of Butler County residents have been added to the Missouri University Extension Leaders’ Honor Roll. Honorees Brittany McKay and Sherry Crisel Harlan are being applauded for their support of Extension.

The Leaders Honor Roll recognizes outstanding leaders and volunteers who have supported and helped to advance MU Extension in their communities.

Harlan has volunteered for many 4-H events. At the Ag Expo, she donated supplies for youth activities. At a local farm tour, Harlan showed 4-H members how to plant soybeans and talked about the many uses for the crop.

McKay has opened the air waves for Extension, the local group’s press release stated. Always being a champion of extension work and 4-H programs, McKay many times during the radio shows has emphasized the value of extension to the local community.

John Fuller said, “Extension can only reach our communities with the help of our volunteers and champions of extension as we continue to update the community on all the programs extension office offers.”

A human development and family sciences specialist with extension, Fuller explained, workers “cannot spread” the information about their programs without others “helping us and passing the word along.”

“Throughout the state, MU Extension partners with dedicated volunteers and community leaders who play a vital role in advancing our mission and serving the needs of the people of Missouri,” said Fuller. “The Honor Roll award is one way we can recognize their service and remind ourselves of the important contributions they make.”

Selection for the Honor Roll is based on community leadership efforts, which support MU Extension’s efforts to enhance economic viability, build strong individuals, families and communities, and create and sustain healthy environments.

Each year, county engagement specialists work with their county faculty and staff to identify two outstanding leaders, or couples, to represent their county.

“We had a pretty good list of names and why we nominated them,” Fuller said. “The Butler County Extension Council and the local extension staff nominated leaders and volunteers, and the staff members made the final decision. The nominees, along with their qualifications, were posted so everyone could see what others are doing to contribute to extension.”

Anyone who would like to get involved with extension, may call the office at 573-686-8064.

If they are unsure about what they want to help with,“they call us, and we will help them figure out where they fit in,” Fuller said.