Taylor Young is new Extension agent

The University of Missouri Extension office in Ozark County has a new agent, Taylor Young, who joined the office in early August. 

Young, 24, grew up in Russellville and attended Missouri State University in Springfield, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in plant science. 

Based in Gainesville and serving as the extension agent for Ozark, Douglas and Howell counties, Young said she is excited to learn about each county and its residents. “I’m really looking forward to getting to know the community as a whole,” she said. “That will help me determine what programs would most benefit them.”

Young said her main goal is to facilitate programs to help farmers and others in the counties she serves. “If I don’t know the answer, I can put them in contact with who can answer their questions best,” she said.

Right now she’s traveling frequently throughout the area and meeting Extension councils in her three counties to gain a clearer understanding of what each area needs and how she can help. 

Young replaces former Ozark County Extension specialist Randy Wiedmeier, who left the post on April 30 to begin a year-long mission to Washington State to assist underprivileged rual residents in need. He had requested a leave of absence from the university, hoping to return to his Ozark County job after his mission work, but that request was denied, a spokesperson said.