Air September 20, 2000

Thank you Mark, and good morning everyone. I’m not talking about the weather this morning. I think we’re all tired of hearing about that! Just a quick reminder of the stocker sale barn meeting in Clay Center next week. You should have received some information in the mail on this, if you didn’t get the information, give me a call. Remember that you need to call your reservation into the Extension Office by the end of the week.

I want to invite everyone to an open house at the Extension Office, 119 East 9th Street, this afternoon from 3 to 7 p.m. We’re having an open house in honor of the 75th Anniversery of the Geary County Extension Office. On April 25th, 1925 a group of local farmers, with support from the Junction City Chamber of Commerce, formed a Farm Bureau board. This was the first requirement to get an Extension Agent into the county. George Caspar was elected presidnet of the newly formed board. On June 4th the Executive Board hired Paul Gwin, to be the Geary County Agent. However, Mr. Gwin was wanting to stay at Morris County until the 4-H year was complete in September. Being anxious to have someone on board, they hired D. Z. McCormick as a temporary agent. On October 1st, Mr Gwin arrived in Geary County, and Mr. McCormick replaced him in Morris County. For the first few years, the Extension Office shared office space with the Chamber of Commerce on Washington Street, next to the Good Eats Cafe. In 1930 the new post office was completed at 6th and Jefferson and the Extension Office moved into the basement of that building which is where they would stay until the late 1960’s. For the first 20 years that Mr. Gwin was in Geary County, he did it all. He handled ag programs, 4-H programs and Home Economics programs as well. In 1945, Charmain Gish was hired as the first Home Economist. IN the late 1940’s there were three emergency asst 4-H club agents, but full time 4-H agents didn’t arrive until 1975. Mr. Gwin stayed in Geary County until he retired in 1956, the year I was born. Mike Stroud replaced Mr. Gwin and served Geary County until his retirement Dec of 1981. I then replaced Mr Stroud in February of 1982. That’s a quick review of the Geary County Extension Office and the Agricultural Agents over the last 75 years - come on down and celebrate with us this afternoon!

This is Chuck Otte, Geary County Extension Agent, with Ag Outlook 2000.

Return to Ag Home Page

Return to Radio Home Page