MU Extension Elections through Jan. 23, 2022
Become involved in your local MU Extension Programs. Begin by voting in the annual council member election. Five Stone County residents (biographies attached) are running for election this month on the ballot of the Stone County MU Extension Council. All county citizens of voting age are eligible to vote in the election for nominees who reside in their district of the county.
A secure online voting system for voters is available on our webpage under the county council tab. Residents may vote online until Sunday, January 23, 2022. Or if you prefer, certified ballots and secure affidavit envelopes are available in the Stone County University of Missouri Extension office all this week from 8:00-4:00 pm for residents to cast their vote in a ballot box. The MU Extension office is located in Galena on the second floor of the county courthouse. If residents would like to receive a ballot by mail they may request one to be sent to them in advance by emailing mailto:Stoneco@missouri.edu. Returned ballots must be postmarked by January 23, 2022 in order to be counted.
Newly elected council members will begin their duties March 1 and serve a two-year term. The county Extension council works with University of Missouri Extension staff and provides for the county educational programs, manages the county-appropriated finances for local Extension operations and provides personnel to carry out MU Extension programs.
In 2022, the Stone County MU Extension Council will be composed of 17 members. Twelve are elected and three are appointed from the county commission, Farm Bureau, and a designated city in the county. This year the city representation will be from Crane, should they choose to appoint someone. Two additional appointees are non-voting youth representatives. Youth between the ages of 15-17, residing in Stone County, who are interested in serving on the MU Extension Council should send a letter of intent to Stoneco@missouri.edu to be considered.
For more information, contact the Extension office at 417-357-6812 or visit the local Extension web page at http://extension.missouri.edu/stone/.
Candidate Bios
District 1
Aubree Chisam served as a youth representative on the Stone County MU Extension Council for the last two years. In her position as youth representative, she keeps the council up-to-date and informed of Crane school and community events. Aubree serves as the National Honor Society and Student Council president, air rifle captain, FCA leader, FFA member, and varsity softball pitcher at Crane high school while also attending Ozarks Technical Community college part time.
District 2
Seth Fortner has lived in Stone County’s District 2 for 21 years. He served as a youth representative for the MU Extension Council. He is a graduate of Reeds Spring High School and State Technical College. Seth currently works as a lineman for Ozark Electric Cooperative.
District 3
Jerad Finch has lived in the Shell Knob area for the past 41 years with his wife, Lasche and two daughters, Olivia and Elliauna. He has served one, two-year term on the Stone County MU Extension Council. Jerad has worked for MODOT for 21 years and is currently the maintenance supervisor of the Cassville Maintenance Shop.
Jim Sleper grew up on a farm in Central Missouri and is now retired from the dairy industry and residing in Lampe with his wife Pamela. His experience with MU Extension includes working with Extension personnel on a variety of agriculture economics projects relating to farm management. He has worked with FFA throughout the years and is active in his church.
Pam Sleper has lived in Stone County with her husband, Jim, full time for a year and a half and part time for 7 years. She is retired from the food industry and currently has a small consulting project. Her experience with MU Extension includes a work study program in Moniteau County, soil testing facilities, agronomy bulletins, and the Tai Chi program. She was very involved in mission work with her former church in Florida as well as coordinated a face mask sewing group for local nursing homes and hospitals.
A secure online voting system for voters is available on our webpage under the county council tab. Residents may vote online until Sunday, January 23, 2022. Or if you prefer, certified ballots and secure affidavit envelopes are available in the Stone County University of Missouri Extension office all this week from 8:00-4:00 pm for residents to cast their vote in a ballot box. The MU Extension office is located in Galena on the second floor of the county courthouse. If residents would like to receive a ballot by mail they may request one to be sent to them in advance by emailing mailto:Stoneco@missouri.edu. Returned ballots must be postmarked by January 23, 2022 in order to be counted.
Newly elected council members will begin their duties March 1 and serve a two-year term. The county Extension council works with University of Missouri Extension staff and provides for the county educational programs, manages the county-appropriated finances for local Extension operations and provides personnel to carry out MU Extension programs.
In 2022, the Stone County MU Extension Council will be composed of 17 members. Twelve are elected and three are appointed from the county commission, Farm Bureau, and a designated city in the county. This year the city representation will be from Crane, should they choose to appoint someone. Two additional appointees are non-voting youth representatives. Youth between the ages of 15-17, residing in Stone County, who are interested in serving on the MU Extension Council should send a letter of intent to Stoneco@missouri.edu to be considered.
For more information, contact the Extension office at 417-357-6812 or visit the local Extension web page at http://extension.missouri.edu/stone/.
Candidate Bios
District 1
Aubree Chisam served as a youth representative on the Stone County MU Extension Council for the last two years. In her position as youth representative, she keeps the council up-to-date and informed of Crane school and community events. Aubree serves as the National Honor Society and Student Council president, air rifle captain, FCA leader, FFA member, and varsity softball pitcher at Crane high school while also attending Ozarks Technical Community college part time.
District 2
Seth Fortner has lived in Stone County’s District 2 for 21 years. He served as a youth representative for the MU Extension Council. He is a graduate of Reeds Spring High School and State Technical College. Seth currently works as a lineman for Ozark Electric Cooperative.
District 3
Jerad Finch has lived in the Shell Knob area for the past 41 years with his wife, Lasche and two daughters, Olivia and Elliauna. He has served one, two-year term on the Stone County MU Extension Council. Jerad has worked for MODOT for 21 years and is currently the maintenance supervisor of the Cassville Maintenance Shop.
Jim Sleper grew up on a farm in Central Missouri and is now retired from the dairy industry and residing in Lampe with his wife Pamela. His experience with MU Extension includes working with Extension personnel on a variety of agriculture economics projects relating to farm management. He has worked with FFA throughout the years and is active in his church.
Pam Sleper has lived in Stone County with her husband, Jim, full time for a year and a half and part time for 7 years. She is retired from the food industry and currently has a small consulting project. Her experience with MU Extension includes a work study program in Moniteau County, soil testing facilities, agronomy bulletins, and the Tai Chi program. She was very involved in mission work with her former church in Florida as well as coordinated a face mask sewing group for local nursing homes and hospitals.