Horticulture Workshops, Conferences & News

Field Day
* September 10, 2010

Ag. Education Day
* September 9, 2010

Southwest Center FFA Workshop
* March 11, 2010

SW CTR Grazing Dairy

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Email: Southwestcenter@missouri.edu

Superintendent:
Dr. Richard Crawford - Bio
14548 Highway H
Mt. Vernon, MO 65712-9523
Phone: 417-466-2148
FAX: 417-466-2109
Email: crawfordr@missouri.edu

SW CENTER "LOSES GROUND"

The SW Center recently got smaller. No, we are not selling off land or downsizing the Center. In this case, the "loss" is a good thing. Actually, there are two causes for this reduction in size.

First, the Curators of the University of Missouri approved the long term lease of approximately 4 acres of land just east of the airport wind sock for use by the Lawrence County Youth Fair. The Youth Fair had been using the Freistatt Lion's Club Ernte Fest fairgrounds for their activities. When the Youth Fair received funding to build an arena and barn, they looked to MU's SW Center for a more permanent location.

This new facility will be a "win-win" situation for the Youth Fair and the SW Center. The former will have a "home" for at least the next 25 years, and the latter will have use of the facilities for its field days, workshops and other activities.

The second "loss" of 0.51 acres involves the granting of a permanent easement to Lawrence Co. for the construction of a new bridge over Spring River on the northeast part of the Center near the intersection of County Roads 2130 and 1105. The old "iron bridge" was built around the mid 1890's. Over the years, the deteriorating condition of the bridge has resulted in several closings only to be reopened with lower and lower weight limits. The awkward approach and narrow bridge creates a path that is difficult to navigate with farm equipment and is a safety concern to drivers from either direction. The bridge has also become an unsightly dumping sight for everything from appliances and furniture to livestock carcasses, and countless beverage containers and paraphernalia left behind by late night revelers who frequent the site.

The half-acre of land that we are giving up is not usable anyway. Spring River crosses through it and rank tree and brush growth on either side limits its utility. We will be more than compensated for the "loss" by having the area cleaned up, the odd intersection straightened out, and a safer bridge available for all to use.

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