In the Mark Armato program, he portrays Jesse on the eve of his fateful assassination.  He is planning on retiring from the “horse and revolver work” and settling down for a peaceful retirement. As he contemplates his future and new life he wonders how he will be remembered.  Will people think of him as a hero and southern patriot or just a bandit and villain? To help people make up their minds, he decides to tell his life story. Sit back and listen to Jesse tell stories about his family, the Civil War, bank robberies and close calls.  His tales will amuse and astound you as you get a glimpse of the man behind the legend, and the legend behind the man!

2009 Conservationist of the Year

Mark started farming in 1975 as a freshman in High School.  Mark and his wife – Joan have 3 children – Lara, Kera, and Austin. 

Marks farming operation currently consists of row cropping corn, soybeans, and grain sorghum and has a cow calf operation.

Mark has been using no-till and placing terraces and pond structures on his farming operation to do his part in helping conserve soil and water.  Mark also does his part by serving on Agriculture boards in Livingston County.  

Mark Hopper

Merle started farming in 1950.  He married Mildred Perry in 1955 and they celebrated their 54^th wedding anniversary this past year.

Merle served as chairman of the citizens committee for the soil, water and state parks from 1983 to 1987.  He served on various farm and agriculture committees, commissions, and boards.  This included 20 years as a Soil and Water District Supervisor with the Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District, two terms as an Area Director for the Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation District and two terms as President of the MASWCD.

Mrs. Gardner started teaching in 1977 after graduating from Northwest Missouri State University  with a B.S. in Elementary Education.  She later went on to get her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

She is currently the 1^st Grade teacher at Southwest R-1 School, but has taught several grade levels at Southwest School. 

Growing up on her family farm, Debbie has been able to bring her background knowledge and experience of Conservation practices and share them with her students over the past years.

Mrs. Gardner works diligently to incorporate conservation into her classroom.  We are honored to serve as a partner in education with her class.