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Why Springfield Missouri’s Dog Issues Are Really About Neighboring

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Springfield’s proposed updates to the city’s animal control ordinance have sparked passionate discussion, especially around the growing concern of dogs running loose in neighborhoods. Some residents who spoke at the May 19, 2026, City Council meeting described frightening encounters with aggressive or uncontrolled dogs. Others may worry about overregulation. But beneath the debate lies a deeper question that goes far beyond dogs or ordinances. What does it mean to be a good neighbor? That question has been at the center of my work for years through Missouri Good Neighbor Week and the State of Neighboring in Missouri study. One of the strongest findings from our statewide surveys is that Missourians increasingly define a “good neighbor” not by close friendship, but by everyday behaviors that show consideration and respect. That is exactly where responsible pet ownership belongs. In the 2024 State of Neighboring survey, 71 percent of Missourians said respecting privac...
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Why Human Connection Matters More Than Ever: Aaron Hurst on Neighboring 101

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  At a time when many Americans are searching for belonging, struggling with loneliness, or feeling increasingly disconnected from the people around them, our next guest on Neighboring 101 is helping lead a national conversation about how we rebuild human connection in everyday life. I am excited to welcome Aaron Hurst to Neighboring 101. Aaron is the creator of the U.S. Chamber of Connection , an organization devoted to strengthening relationships and rebuilding the social fabric of America. Their work focuses on one of the defining challenges of our time: the growing epidemic of loneliness, isolation, and disconnection that is impacting neighborhoods, workplaces, civic life, and even our personal health. For many people, loneliness is no longer just an individual struggle. It has become a community issue. Across the country, people are reporting fewer close friendships, weaker neighborhood ties, and less trust in one another. Aaron’s work offers both a hopeful vision and practic...
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Love Your Neighbor More Than Your Political Party

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  Former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse is dying from stage four pancreatic cancer, yet one of his final public messages is not about politics, power, or elections. It is about neighbors. That alone should make us stop and listen. In a recent interview highlighted by the Washington Examiner , Sasse argued that Americans have confused their political tribe with their true community. He warned that we have elevated national partisan identity above the relationships that actually sustain human life. Sasse said: “I think your fundamental political community is your neighborhood.” That sentence cuts against almost everything modern American culture teaches us. Today many people know more about political commentators in Washington than the names of the people living three doors down. We can explain the latest outrage on cable news but cannot explain the story of the elderly widow on our block. We know who our enemies are online, but not who needs help nearby. Sasse argues this inversion is dange...
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Bonus Neighboring 101: Brittany Crabtree of ServMo on Mini-Grants

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  Author's note: You can register for Neighboring 101 (one-time fee) on the MU Extension website in order to attend this session on June 10 live and future sessions too! Welcome a new partner for Missouri Good Neighbor Week: ServMo. Brittany Crabtree, Executive Director of ServMO, an organization dedicated to strengthening communities across Missouri through volunteerism, service, and civic engagement, will be our guest speaker for a "bonus" session of Neighboring 101 on June 10 at 12 noon CST. Brittany’s work focuses on helping Missourians connect through meaningful acts of service that build stronger neighborhoods and healthier communities. Under her leadership, ServMO has continued to promote opportunities for individuals, organizations, and communities to work together in ways that create lasting local impact. During this bonus session of Neighboring 101, Brittany will introduce us to ServMO and share information about the new 2026 neighboring mini-grants, which can ...
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Show Me Neighborhood Art Month a Catalyst for Belonging: From Empty Spaces to Shared Places

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Author's note: You can register for Neighboring 101 (one-time fee) on the MU Extension website  in order to attend this session on May 21 live. SPRINGFIELD, Mo. --  In many small towns, the conversation about growth tends to revolve around infrastructure, jobs, and attracting outside investment. But one of the most powerful (and often overlooked) assets is already there: local creativity.  When communities tap into their artistic talent, they don’t just beautify spaces—they build identity, pride, and a shared sense of belonging. From Empty Spaces to Shared Places Arts-led development has a unique way of transforming the everyday landscape. A blank wall becomes a storytelling canvas. An empty lot turns into a gathering space. A quiet alley evolves into a destination. In Mount Sterling, Kentucky, the Gateway Regional Arts Center has demonstrated just how impactful this approach can be. Through initiatives like a public art trail and the vibrant Umbrella Alley installation,...
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See Springfield 66 Centennial Sculptures During Show-Me Neighborhood Art Month

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  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. --The Springfield 66 Centennial Sculpture Series is a community-wide public art initiative created to celebrate the upcoming 100th anniversary of Route 66 while strengthening community identity, civic pride, and neighborhood connection across Springfield and the surrounding area. Organized by local artist and community leader Heidi Herrman-Bacon, the project brings together artists, businesses, nonprofits, tourism organizations, and public spaces to transform Springfield into an open-air gallery centered around the history and culture of America’s most iconic highway. What began as an idea to honor the birthplace and legacy of Route 66 quickly evolved into a collaborative citywide effort involving 16 large-scale shield sculptures installed throughout Springfield and Strafford. Each sculpture tells a different story connected to Route 66, Springfield history, travel, culture, sports, agriculture, transportation, or community identity. Together, the collection enco...
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Young People Are Lonely—But They Are Also Looking for Belonging

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  A recent article from Axios highlighted a growing challenge facing America’s younger generations: loneliness is not simply an occasional feeling. For many young people, it is disrupting daily life. According to new research from Hopelab and Data for Progress, 61 percent of young people say loneliness takes at least some toll on their mental health, while 35 percent say it actively disrupts their daily lives. Those numbers are sobering. But perhaps the most important lesson from the article is that the story is more complicated than a simple “mental health crisis” narrative. The survey found that more than half of young people still describe their mental health as good, very good, or excellent. In other words, many young people are resilient, hopeful, and functioning well. Yet at the same time, there are deep disparities affecting those facing financial stress, uncertainty, and social isolation. That distinction matters. Too often, conversations about younger generations swing be...
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