"Farm to Table" was the theme of the 12th annual Mid-Mo Women in Agriculture Conference, which drew about 230 people to the California High School facility March 24.
The theme was seen in some of the displays, including a display near the registration table of a kitchen table and a cabinet/pantry area reminiscent of a century ago.
Following a welcoming message by Nancy Kirby of the Soil and Water Conservation District, Leslie Holloway spoke on the advantages of the Missouri Conservation Sales Tax.
Eight workshops sessions were presented in the morning and repeated in the afternoon. A ninth, "Small Animal Health and Rescue Pets," was offered in the morning by Teddie Steck. The other workshops were: "Did Your Grandparents Ride the Orphan Train" by Mitzi Linsenbard and Shirley Andrews; "Women's Hearts and Strokes" By Jo Ann Cantriel, Capital Region Medical Center cardiac nurse; "Rainfall Simulator and Cover Crops" by David Doctorian; "PHARM Dogs" by Jackie Allenbrand; "Esates, Trusts and Elder Law" by Connie Haden; "Garden Perennials to Know and Grow" by David Trinklein; "Cast Iron Care and Cooking" by Pam Thompson; and "Women's Self Defense" by Ella Strode.
A booth collected items to fill the "suggested needs" of PHARM Dogs, or Pets Helping Agriculture in Rural Missouri, which places service dogs with farm families and individuals who may have disabilities.
There were many vendors on site with a variety of information and products, both manufactured, crafts and foods.
During the lunch of pork steak and chicken pasta, there were games and door prizes given out and a demonstration of the PHARM dogs.
Gary Moore, safety coordinator with the Missouri Center for Education Safety (CES), spoke at the general session about rural safety. The CES is part of the Missouri School Boards' Association (MSBA) and the Missouri Department of Public Safety.
Moore spoke about how the value of being aware of surroundings was helpful in safely resolving several incidents that occurred during his 29 years in the Missouri State Highway Patrol. He presents "active shooter" training for schools. The main points of the training for school safety are appropriate for anyone to practice, any place, and result in more safety if practiced in rural areas.
With a main point of situational awareness, Moore recommended that everyone be aware of their surroundings, including people and how they might be acting. He recommended taking notice of something or someone that "just doesn't look right." Even a stray backpack in an odd place could be worth taking notice of and reporting to someone in authority. A different car or truck on a rural road or parked along a road should be taken notice of - take down the license number and a description along with the time and place. Maybe it's nothing, but it could result in solving a crime such as burglary.
He further noted that if somebody doesn't look right, watch their hands. If they reach toward their back, they could be going after a cellphone, but also maybe something else - club, knife or firearm.
Although most of Moore's work with the Highway Patrol was as a "road trooper," he also served the state of Missouri on special assignment to the Governor's Security Division and provided personal protection and security services to four different Missouri Governors and their families. He retired as a captain.
Prior to Moore's presentation, seven girls of the Eldon FFA Chapter presented a discussion on stage on how to raise chickens. The Eldon FFA members participating were Nikki Kidwell, Hattie Grisham, Morgan Looten, Alysa Neighbors, Lean Stichler, Bri Henderson and Bailey Farris.