STE. GENEVIEVE, MO—Elections for representatives to serve on the University of Missouri Extension Council will be held January 14-20, 2023. Any county resident over the age of 18 is eligible to vote in the election. There are six nominees running for six seats on the Council.
County Extension councils, in accordance with state law, work with University of Missouri Extension faculty and staff in planning and carrying out local Extension programs. The Council has three primary responsibilities: assist in planning and carrying out Extension programs in their county; overseeing the finances; and recruiting and training Council members.
University of Missouri Extension provides research-based educational programs, assistance, and resources that address subjects of interest to Missourians in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, business development, community development, and youth development (4-H).
The Ste. Genevieve County Extension Council is currently comprised of 10 elected county representatives and three appointed positions. Terms are for two years. A person may be re-elected once, after which they must be off the Council for at least one year before being elected again.
Nominees
Paul J. Arnold retired from Mississippi Lime Company after 45 years of service. Paul and his wife own and operate a 250-acre family farm and are blessed with three children and eight grandchildren. Paul has a longstanding history of active community involvement through organizations such as the Ste. Genevieve County Fair Board as president and the USDA Farm Agency Committee. Currently, he is a member of several organizations, including the Soils and Water Conservation Agency. Additionally, he serves as the chair of the Ste. Genevieve County Special Road District Board. In 2014, he received the Conservation Steward Award. He is enthusiastic about serving and applying his experience to the Extension Council.
Jill Naeger is a Ste. Genevieve County native and, along with her husband, has two grown children. Currently, she performs clerical work for her husband’s sawmill/logging business and raises goats and cattle with him. Prior to this, she worked for over 25 years as a speech-language pathologist, focusing on children in Ste. Genevieve County and the surrounding area. Jill has served on the Sts. Philip and James Parish Council for multiple terms, is actively involved in the parish as a lector and Eucharistic Minister, and is a member of various organizations, including the Missouri National Education Association – Retired. Jill shares an interest in all six of Extension’s program areas, has benefited from the programs, and is eager to serve to ensure they continue to reach more people in the community.
Louis J. Naeger graduated from Southeast Missouri University, majoring in accounting and agriculture. Self-employed as a CPA for over 30 years, he primarily focused on serving small business owners and farmers. Since his retirement, he has dedicated most of his time to a commercial chestnut orchard, which he owns and manages. Louis is active in Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church, and in previous years, he served on various organizations, including the Jaycees and the Ste. Genevieve County Fair Board, where he held the position of president. Serving on the Extension Council will provide him with the opportunity to support the younger generation and the agricultural community.
Michael J. Naeger is a lifelong resident of Ste. Genevieve County and a graduate of Ste. Genevieve High School. He is the owner and operator of Naeger Forest Products, Inc. Additionally, he owns a small farm where he raises goats and cattle. Michael is a member of and serves on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Forest Product Association. He is also a member of the Missouri Trappers Association, N.R.A., and Ste. Genevieve County Republican Club. Having previously served on the Extension Council, he expresses his interest in “educating young people in agriculture, forestry, and other outdoor activities.”
Corey Simmons II is a recent graduate of Mineral Area College with an associate degree in chemistry. He is the vice president of his senior class and works part time as a farm hand for Mike Naeger. Currently a member of the Extension Council, Corey seeks another term to continue serving and helping Extension. “I would like to be more involved in my community.”
Jerry Staab received a B.S. in Agronomy in 1996 and owns and operates Mid-West Lawns. His experience in lawn, grounds, and landscape maintenance includes work on four golf courses and at a state university. Additionally, Jerry is actively involved in the community as a firefighter/officer with the Ste. Genevieve Volunteer Fire Department and as a youth coach. He enjoys collaborating with and learning from others to enhance the community and aspires to continue this work through the Extension Council.
Beginning January 14 and ending January 20, Ste. Genevieve County residents may vote in person or online. A ballot box for the Extension Council election will be at the Extension Office at 1300 Progress Parkway, Suite B, during regular business hours. Those who choose to vote online may do so by visiting: https://extension.missouri.edu/…/county-council-election.
The election results will be certified by Extension Council on January 25 and released online on January 26. New members will be sworn in and officers will be elected and sworn in on February 29.
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