The University of Missouri Outreach and Extension in Cape Girardeau County wants advice on what programs to offer during the next five years.

Donna Taake, 4-H youth specialist, said they will plan programming by priorities set by the community.

Six meetings are scheduled to collect public input. The first is Tuesday at the Cape Girardeau County Health Department.

Every five years the University of Missouri Extension conducts a survey of citizens to see what programs people want offered.

Since 1912, Missouri extension agents have been bringing up-to-date educational programs to citizens throughout the state.

In Cape Girardeau County, specialists offer expertise on agronomy, livestock, business and industry, human development and 4-H youth programs.

"We are not limited to that," Taake said. "But it's a starting point."

Depending on what people say at the upcoming meetings, those specialities will stay the same or could change.

"The bottom line is we base our programming on community needs," Taake said.

The meetings are open to anyone.

"We serve the educational needs of all the citizens in the county," Taake said.

The meetings will use a discussion group format. "We will take them through the process of helping them prioritize what should be the programming for this county," Taake explained.

"We want to reach as diverse a group and as many people as we can," she said.

Programs in operation now were selected based on similar surveys done five years ago.

In agronomy, for example, emphasis is placed on crop production and management, conservation tillage and weed control. Demonstration plots of corn and soybeans are planted, and courses for master gardeners and master tree farmers are offered.

For livestock, educational programs for cattle producers and for pork producers, genetics are provided. Advice is also offered on animal selection, nutrition and forage management.

In human development, programs are offered on a wide range of topics including balancing work and family, postponing sexual involvement, HIV/AIDS education, child growth and development, parent education, coping with stress, coping with peer pressure and aging process.

The 4-H youth specialist assists 17 traditional 4-H clubs in the county, promotes 4-H programs, recruits new members and provides resources and training to adult volunteers.

The business and industry specialist offers one-on-one confidential help with business problems, including starting and managing a business, record keeping, taxes, understanding financial statements, computers, inventory planning, advertising, supervision and time management.

EXTENSION FORUMS

-- Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Cape Girardeau County Health Department, 1111 Linden, Cape Girardeau. Lunch provided.

-- Oct. 22, 7 to 9 p.m., Delta Community Center.

-- Nov. 4, 7 to 9 p.m., Oak Ridge school cafeteria.

-- Nov. 6, 7 to 9 a.m., Cape County Extension Office, 815 S. Hope, Jackson. Breakfast provided.

-- Nov. 12, 7 to 9 p.m., Missouri Department of Conservation office, North Cape Girardeau County Park.

-- Nov. 16, 7 to 9 p.m., Cape County Extension Office, 815 S. Hope, Jackson. Refreshments provided.