Butler County

Severe weather resources

We bring Mizzou to Butler County.

Missouri map with Buchanan county highlighted

Through a network of county offices, the University of Missouri solves problems and engages with communities across all 114 counties and the City of St. Louis.

MU faculty, staff and elected council members, who live in your community, work with you to identify local interests and issues and then offer relevant programming and resources to meet the unique needs of you and your community.

Our job is to partner with communities to find solutions with credible, science-based information that will help you:

Grow safe and healthy food
Build and grow profitable businesses
Improve your health and relationships
Increase agricultural production
Update professional training in business, health and safety
Engage youth as valued, contributing citizens

Explore the MU Extension website and Butler County pages to discover how MU Extension can enhance your life.

Community Excellence Team Award

Taylor Clark receiving award from MU Extension staff

Presented through the generosity of Kenyon Grant Harman, Dorothy Donohew Amos, Carolyn Harman Zollman, Ruth Cora Harman, MU Extension, and the Advancement team.

Congratulations to the Community Excellence Award team for leading efforts to build a culture of community.

The 2025 Community Excellence Team Award goes to the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) team, which is transforming how rural Missouri builds economic prosperity—not through one-time events, but by embedding entrepreneurship into the fabric of community life.

CEC reimagines Extension’s role by partnering with rural towns to activate entrepreneurial ecosystems through two core efforts:

An annual, community-hosted conference where sessions are held inside local businesses to deepen engagement and visibility.
A monthly statewide webinar series that sustains momentum and connections year-round.

By empowering local leaders and strengthening civic networks, CEC turns rural potential into sustainable action. Every aspect of the program is community-owned and Extension-supported—creating lasting change long after events conclude. From sparking youth entrepreneurship programs to launching regional initiatives, CEC is a catalyst for resilient, self-determined communities.

Team Members

Annette Clair Kendall — Economic Development
Ashley Allen-Brown — Field Specialist, Regional Economic Development (West Central Region)
Jackie Spainhower — Field Specialist, Community Development (Northwest Region)
Deana Dothage — Field Specialist, Community Development (Urban East Region)
Mike Krauch — Regional Director (Northeast Region)
Taylor Clark — Field Specialist, Community Development (Southeast Region)
Debbi Haskamp — Northeast Regional Support Assistant