The Platte County Commission has approved an agreement with the University of Missouri Extension to house its materials at a southern Platte County Park.
The 17-month agreement was approved at the Monday, Aug. 21 administrative session of the Platte County Commission, held in Platte City.
The University of Missouri Extension was previously housed at the Platte County Resource Center, which has been repurposed by the county to house the Platte County Sheriff’s Office. According to a statement released this week by the University of Missouri Extension, the extension will no longer have a physical office.
“If you have soil samples, take them to the Buchanan County Office, 4125 Mitchell Ave St. Joseph, MO 64507 816-279-1691, or Clay County Office 1901 NE 48th St. Clay County Annex, Kansas City, MO 64118 816-407-3490,” the statement reads. “For questions about plants and trees call the Master Gardeners at 816-833-8733. Livestock questions can be referred to Amie Schleicher at 660-744-6231. 4-H questions may be directed to Justin Strickland at justin.strickland@missouri.edu or 913-203-9564.”
Per the agreement with Platte County, the extension will store its program materials at an outbuilding of the Dorothy Day Cabin at the Green Hills of Platte Wildlife Preserve, which is located between Riverside and Parkville. In exchange for the storage space, the extension will offer four programs per year at the Dorothy Day Cabin.
The University of Missouri Extension plans to use the space for programs such as Master Gardeners, 4-H Youth Development, yoga, health and nutrition and more. A visual arts and writing artist-in-residency program — in partnership with Platte County Parks and Recreation — also is in the works, as are engagement opportunities such as artist talks, poetry readings and concerts.
“Programs like these are a very powerful tool for community development and vitality,” said Elena Stephenson, MU field specialist in community development, at a June commission session. “We are excited to be able to share the vision and plans for this special place in Platte County.”
Artist-in-residence programs give artists the opportunity to live and work outside of their usual environments, providing them with time to reflect, research or produce work, according to Extension officials. During a residency, artists can explore new locations and cultures, and experiment with different materials. Much like study abroad programs, residencies end up having a long term impact on the artist’s life and work and end up benefiting the community.
Artists would live and work in the cabin for a short period ranging from a week to up to three months and the residency would end in an exhibit open to the public.
Also at the meeting, commissioners accepted the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. The $532,043 grant will fund the Kansas City metro-wide drug task force, including Platte, Clay and Jackson counties, with Platte County this year acting as fiscal agent for grant funds.