2013-2014 Annual Report:

Calhoun County

Proven, Relevant, Life Changing msue.msu.edu

...and our mission is to make that happen!

HeadHeadHeadHead – Make sound decisions, set goals and stick

with them, and have practical skills needed to

lead a productive, fulfilling life.

Heart Heart Heart Heart – Act with integrity and accountability, and

help others become their best.

HandsHandsHandsHands – Put the needs of the community before

their own while serving others.

HealthHealthHealthHealth – Actively take care of their minds and

bodies.

“Through Michigan 4-H, youth learn life skills that will

take them to a higher level of involvement in their com-

munity. Whether they choose to stay in Michigan or

move elsewhere, the skills they learned through Michi-

gan 4-H will stay with them and make our world a bet-

Program HighlightsProgram HighlightsProgram HighlightsProgram Highlights::::

• 4-H Equine Educational Expo (April) - Statewide Horse Bowl &

Hippology Competition

• Conservation Field Days (May) - 5th graders at Kiwanis Club

explore conservation and enjoy outdoor activities

• Exploration Days (June)-Youth 11-19 spend 3 days at MSU

campus-career & college exploration

• Various MI 4-H State Animal Shows: Beef, Goat, Rabbit &

Cavy, Sheep & Swine (June)

• Animal Vet Science Workshop (June)

• Livestock Expo, Dairy Expo & Dairy Days (July)

• 4-H Creative & Expressive Arts Summer Program (July-Aug) -

5th-12th graders in Albion attend a 6 week summer perform-

ing arts program

• 4-H State Shows: Dog, Horse, Mini-Horse Shows & Shooting

Sports

• Calhoun County Fair (August)

• Calhoun County 4-H Annual Convention & Awards ceremony

(October)

• Calhoun County 4-H Leader Recognition Banquet (December)

• Scholarship Application Opportunities, Various Science & Arts

& Crafts Workshops (throughout the year)

Great kids are those that exemplify the four H’s in “4Great kids are those that exemplify the four H’s in “4Great kids are those that exemplify the four H’s in “4Great kids are those that exemplify the four H’s in “4----H”...H”...H”...H”...

Exploration Days,

MSU Campus

June 18-20, 2014

4-H Youth—68

Adults Volunteers—10

Creative & Expressive Arts

Summer Program

Albion

Mon-Thur, July 10-Aug 14, 2014

Program Coordinator—Sherry

Grice

Teen Leaders—6

Youth Participants—48

Calhoun County Fair

August 10-16, 2014

4-H Youth - 684

Adult Volunteers - 178

Page 2

CHILDREN AND YOUTHCHILDREN AND YOUTHCHILDREN AND YOUTHCHILDREN AND YOUTH

2013-14 Calhoun County 4-H

4-H Youth– 809

Active 4-H Volunteers-178

Resource Adult Volunteers –156

The 4-H Creative and Expressive Arts

program is a program that focuses on

arts, mentoring and leadership. The 4-

H Creative and Expressive Arts Sum-

mer Program was held at the Albion

First United Methodist Church/Victory

Park from July 9 thru August 14,

2014, Monday through Thursday 1:00

– 5:00 p.m. each week. The students,

grade 5th-10th, engaged in dancing,

acting, and singing. Key partners

were: Albion Community Foundation,

Albion City Recreation Department,

Albion Public Schools and Kids at

Hope. News coverage by: Albion Re-

corder, E-news and the Marshall Advi-

sor and Chronicle. The Bohm Theater

marquee advertised the date and

time of this year’s play titled “A Blast

from the Past”.

The program used college and past

program students who have built their

skills in leadership, relationship devel-

opment, mentorship and performing

arts as our main instructors. Instruc-

tors passed their leadership skills

Arts, Mentoring and Leadership—4-H Creative & Expressive Arts program

Page 3

CHILDREN AND YOUTHCHILDREN AND YOUTHCHILDREN AND YOUTHCHILDREN AND YOUTH

4-H Volunteerism: Helping Michigan children & youth prepare for the future

There is no time more influential in a person’s life than the

years between birth and age 8. MSU Extension early child-

hood education programs support parents and caregivers

during those most formative years of a child’s develop-

ment. By covering an array of important topics – including

social and emotional health, emergent literacy develop-

ment, life skill development for young children, positive disci-

pline, school readiness and science literacy – MSU Extension

is equipping adults with the tools and knowledge to become

their children’s best resource and advocate early in life.

As youth become older, MSU Extension supports them

through the largest youth development organization in the

state: Michigan 4-H. This youth development program helps

youth ages 5 to 19 learn the critical life skills they need to

contribute to their communities as both children and adults.

By coupling positive adult mentorship with structured and

instructional out-of-school time, real-world learning experienc-

es and leadership opportunities, Michigan 4-H allows youth to

explore new interests, gain new knowledge, enhance their

expertise and discover their passion while building their confi-

dence, civic engagement and leadership skills, and sense of

responsibility.

down to participants by directly work-

ing with them and helping them identi-

fy what it means to be creative and a

leader. This is a good example of tran-

sitional leadership. The program pro-

vides productive activities for the

youth to engage in by creating songs,

dances and story lines that are used

in the final production. Several former

4-H Creative and Expressive Arts in-

structors and mentors volunteered

their time to do a workshop in the arts

or to help with the finial performance

with the participants. Several traveled

from Michigan State University, West-

ern University and Kalamazoo Valley

College because of their dedication to

the 4-H Creative & Expressive Arts

program.

The 4-H Creative and Expressive Arts

program helps bridge together sum-

mer activities with school lessons

through writing and remembering sto-

ry lines, as well as developing timing

on stage and techniques involved in

expressing themselves effectively.

Students are expected to follow direc-

tions in addition to understanding

teamwork. In the end, youth in the

community will have designed the Cre-

ative and Expressive Arts summer pro-

duction that is open to the community.

Breakfast on the Farm Comes to Calhoun County Dairy Farm

Page 4

AGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESSAGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESSAGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESSAGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESS

The Calhoun County Breakfast on the Farm

(BOTF) took place on July 19, 2014 from 9

a.m. to 1 p.m. with breakfast served from

9 a.m. till noon. Crandall Dairy Farms LLC,

a family-owned and -operated dairy farm

located 5 miles from Battle Creek at

22231 North Ave., hosted the event, with

over 3,300 participants in attendance.

The beautiful weather was the perfect

backdrop for attendees, both young and

old, to enjoy a day at the farm.

Crandall Dairy is a Centennial Farm, first

established in 1883. Brad and Mark Cran-

dall along with their families are the fami-

ly’s fifth generation to own and operate the

farm. The family milks 280 dairy cows

three times daily and produces crops such

as alfalfa, corn, soybeans and wheat. Cran-

dall Dairy has received awards at both the

state and national level for producing high-

quality milk. The farm was honored as the

2011 Michigan State University Dairy Farm

of the Year. The Crandalls pride them-

selves on the quality of their product.

Monica Crandall, Brad Crandall’s wife,

said. “We want people to know that we

truly care about our animals and strive to

take care of our land.”

Attendees at the Calhoun County Break-

fast on the Farm enjoyed a free pancake

and sausage breakfast, before setting off

on a self-guided walking farm tour featur-

ing numerous educational exhibits hosted

by local farmer volunteers. There were

opportunities for participants to see a milk-

ing parlor, baby calves and various farm

equipment including tractors. Volunteers

were on hand to answer questions and they

shared their expertise about farming. The

Crandalls believe this event was a great op-

portunity to teach others about agriculture.

“It is important to open our doors; this is an

opportunity to teach consumers about farm

life,” Monica Crandall said. “Most people

nowadays are two to three generations re-

moved from the farm. If you are not around

something you are unable to have the

knowledge about it.”

The event was free to the public, but tickets

were required to eat breakfast.

Breakfast on the Farm is a statewide Michi-

gan State University Extension program.

More than 200 local volunteers helped or-

ganize the event.

The statewide sponsors for the 2014 Break-

fast on the Farm events included the Corn

Marketing Program of Michigan and the

Michigan Corn Growers Association, Crystal

Flash, Dairyland Seed Co., Farm Bureau In-

surance, GreenStone Farm Credit Services,

the Kroger Company, Michigan Farm Bureau,

Michigan Milk Producers Association, Michi-

gan Soybean Promotion Committee, Michi-

gan Wheat Program, Northrop Trucking Inc.,

Pioneer Brand Products and the United Dairy

Industry of Michigan. In addition, the Battle

Creek program received generous support

from many local sponsors.

For more information about other BOTF

events, visit

www.breakfastonthefarm.com, or con-

tact Ashley Kuschel at

kuschela@anr.msu.edu or Nancy Thelen

at thelenn@anr.msu.edu .

To find out more about Crandall Dairy,

visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/

Crandall-Family-

Dairy/131755530226203.

Photos courtesy of Jamie Wilson,

MSU-ANR Communications, and

Dana Wawrzyniec, Calhoun MSUE

Commercial Horticulture

MSU Extension provided education on plant health management to the 95 greenhouse

businesses in southwest Michigan and the 230 commercial nurseries in southern Michi-

gan. The Michigan State University Floriculture Extension serviced the third largest agricul-

tural industry in Michigan—the wholesale value of floriculture products in Michigan was

$362 million dollars in 2012, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Ser-

vice.

Plant diagnostic support was provided to 95 greenhouses and 13 nurseries this past year.

Educational information and pest and disease outlooks were disseminated to growers

weekly throughout the growing season. Educational programming aimed to reduce plant

production risk, improve energy and production efficiencies, and improve economic activity

of floriculture businesses in her region.

Page 5

AGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESSAGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESSAGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESSAGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESS

Telfarm Tax Estimating and Business Analysis

The TelFarm system of farm financial record keeping is a program availa-

ble from MSU Extension's Farm Information Resources Management

(FIRM) Team. It is an educational and service program designed to assist

farmers with their farm financial records and decision making. Over several years, effective tax planning can

save producers thousands of dollars.

MSU Extension held it's annual Income Tax Management consultations for current Calhoun Telfarm clients in

November/December 2013. Business Management Educators for MSU Extension provided the individual con-

sultations by appointment.

Together they have over 30 years of experience at MSU Extension in farm financial management, including estate planning, business

succession, expansion, financial projections, profitability analysis, income statements, cash flow, business plans, risk management and

ag commodity marketing and more recently, estimating the Affordable Care Act employer penalty costs.

Ag Action Day

Held in Kalamazoo, the last Friday in January, Ag Action Day is full-day of workshops attracted over 300 people from Calhoun County and

the surrounding region. It focused on a variety of topics related to farm management operations to improve economic efficiency.

Gardening in Michigan Website

Resources and information about gardening from Michigan State University with gardeners was made available on line from MSU Exten-

sion. Advice is based on science performed at MSU or other land grant universities. Currently, there are 32,215 links to this website on

the Internet. A Smart Gardening series of nine factsheets were published on this website. In addition, these factsheets were printed and

distributed at programs offered by Consumer Horticulture staff.

Ask an Expert and the Garden Hotline

Persons needing information about their gardens or plants had call-in and email services offered through eXtension where gardeners can

get expert answers and help from MSU Extension/University staff and volunteers. Trained Advanced Master Gardener volunteers and the

local Consumer Horticulture educator (Linda Whitlock) answered approximately 600 gardening questions during 2013. This service is

available by calling 888-678-3464. MiGarden@msu.edu is another resource available.

Soil Testing

Local residents came to the local MSU Extension office to access soil testing services offered by the MSU Soil and Plant Nutrient Labora-

tory at Michigan State University. A soil test self-mailer was created to provide a seamless connection between Michigan residents and

the lab. Trained Master Gardener volunteers and Consumer Horticulture educators answered questions about the results of this im-

portant test.

Adult programs offered through MSU Extension collaborations

Collaborations between MSU Extension and

other Calhoun County community agencies

helped reach adults who receive benefits in the

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

(SNAP). Through classroom-type settings, adults

were provided information on good nutrition,

healthy recipes and food choices and were intro-

duced to the benefits of growing and eating

fresh produce as part of their daily diets. Com-

munity partners include: Battle Creek and Albi-

on Michigan Works, The Haven’s Men’s and

Women’s Life Recovery Programs, Share Center,

Inasmuch House and the Family Health Center.

Project Fresh coupons were distributed to eligi-

ble adults to be used at local farmer’s markets. In total, 410 adults have been reached to date

this year.

Nutrition & Physical Activity education geared towards Youth

A resident of the Life Recovery Program stated, “Since your program, I

am reading labels and looking for mono and polyunsaturated fats

instead of trans and saturated fats.”

Page 6

HEALTH AND NUTRITIONHEALTH AND NUTRITIONHEALTH AND NUTRITIONHEALTH AND NUTRITION

MSU Extension delivers programming to promote good health & nutrition

Through community-based approaches, Michigan State University Extension delivers

high-quality and affordable education to serve the needs of children, youth, families and

communities in urban, rural and suburban areas. MSU Extension programming pro-

motes healthy lifestyles and educates Michigan residents, allowing each individual to

acquire the skills to take control and manage his or her personal health, consume an

affordable and nutritious diet, improve self, family and community relationships, reduce

the spread of disease and to be a leader in the food industry.

Calhoun County MSU Extension

offers educational programming to

youth in an effort to expand their

knowledge, attitudes and behavior

related to nutrition and physical

activity. Our SNAP ED instructor

delivers age-specific lessons to

diverse audiences through it’s part-

nerships with community organiza-

tions throughout Calhoun County.

These partners include: Boys &

Girls Club of Battle Creek, Albion

Parks and Recreation, Battle Creek

Calhoun County residents who Calhoun County residents who Calhoun County residents who Calhoun County residents who

have been reached:have been reached:have been reached:have been reached:

ADULTS:ADULTS:ADULTS:ADULTS:

Number of low-income adults in

Calhoun County reached through:

A series of nutrition lessons: 144144144144

One-time presentations: 266266266266

YOUTH:YOUTH:YOUTH:YOUTH:

Number of low-income youth in

Calhoun County reached through:

A series of nutrition lessons: 113113113113

One-time presentations: 247247247247

YMCA, Early Childhood Connec-

tions, as well as various elemen-

tary schools within the county.

With an increased emphasis on

obesity reduction, the goal of

MSU Extension is to reach chil-

dren at an early age, showing

them ways to adapt better daily

habits, which in turn leads to a

healthier community. A total of

360 youth have received in-

struction to date.

Good Food Battle Creek (GFBC) Conference – Good Food Matters – Come to the Tableeee

MSU Extension’s Community Food Systems & Food Safety Edu-

cator facilitated and chaired the GFBC education committee

which planned the conference and presented “Understanding

Community Food Systems” as a keynote. Rita also did a concur-

rent session on “How and Why to Eat Local Foods”. Over 100

people attended the conference and great feedback was re-

ceived from both participants and vendors.

Food Handlers Training

A four-day, 8 hour class for Calhoun County Juvenile Home youth residents (Marshall) was taught during the summer and Christmas breaks. Students received a certificate indicating that they had completed the Food Handlers training. Many were excited and proud to receive the certificate. Doing the training over a four day period allowed a deeper connection with the students to inspire them to learn about food safety as it relates to working in the food industry. A two-day – 4 hour class for residents at Starr Commonwealth (Albion) was also taught to 112 students. Many of the youth indicated they would seek employment in the food industry when they were released. Having the youth go through the food handlers training and issuing certificates better prepared them for interviews and job skills. Starr teaching staff offered a culinary arts program for the students and they wanted all the students to have food safety training to help them understand and apply good food han-dling practices.

Page 7

HEALTH AND NUTRITIONHEALTH AND NUTRITIONHEALTH AND NUTRITIONHEALTH AND NUTRITION

“Everyone learned so many things, and hopefully they are applying their new found “Everyone learned so many things, and hopefully they are applying their new found “Everyone learned so many things, and hopefully they are applying their new found “Everyone learned so many things, and hopefully they are applying their new found knowledge at the cottage when cooking and cleaning are being done”.knowledge at the cottage when cooking and cleaning are being done”.knowledge at the cottage when cooking and cleaning are being done”.knowledge at the cottage when cooking and cleaning are being done”.

ServSafe

ServSafe is a national food safety certificate program through the National Restaurant Association. The

MSU Extension program in Calhoun County provided training in food service to help participants gain

knowledge about food safety procedures. Topics covered include: Providing Safe Food, Forms of Contami-

nation, The Safe Food Handler, The Flow of Food, Safe Facilities, Pest Management, and Cleaning & Sani-

tizing.

Food and water safety is a global issue ranging from farm to table. Michigan State University Extension offers high-

quality and affordable education to Michigan residents to increase awareness and knowledge and improve skills as

they relate to food and water safety. Programs educate on personal hygiene, safe storage and temperatures, transpor-

tation, unsafe environments and cross-contamination

Page 8

GREENING MICHIGANGREENING MICHIGANGREENING MICHIGANGREENING MICHIGAN

A newly-created Community Development posi-

tion has been established between MSU Exten-

sion and the Calhoun County Community Develop-

ment Department that will focus on developing

and administering comprehensive programs, man-

aging and promoting county parks facilities and

other community programs. Ingrid Ault, Extension

Educator, will oversee the planning, development

and implementation of projects and her

focus will be to assist communities as

they adopt strategies for design, sus-

tainability and energy efficiency.

Through public policy and land use ac-

tivities, Ingrid hopes to improve commu-

nity prosperity with her expertise.

Community Needs Assessments and

program development efforts will in-

clude the engagement of the county’s

diverse residents, bridging the gap of

race, gender, socioeconomic class disa-

bilities and other differences. Upcom-

ing projects include:

• Updating the Parks and Recreation

master plan for Calhoun County

MSU Extension & Calhoun County’s Community Development strategies for the future….

• Economic Development projects

(not yet identified)

• Transfer of Solid Waste to the Com-

munity Development Department

County, city and township leaders are

encouraged to contact Ingrid with their

ideas for the betterment of their commu-

nities. To quote Ingrid, “Together, we

can build great things”.

Calhoun County Community Development Department: Merging MSU Extension with other Calhoun County Departments to better serve the community

MSU Extension has enhanced opportunities for partnerships. MSU Extension, through it’s Greening Michigan Institute, brings a wealth of resources to the table for use in community and economic development initiatives. In April 2014, the newly configured Calhoun County Community Development Department opened its doors to the public. What once was exclusively the MSU Extension office is now a suite of offices merging MSU Extension with other Calhoun County offices, including: Parks & Recreation, Economic Development (Planning, Housing Rehab & Agricultural Preservation), Environmental Services (Public Works & Solid Waste Management), Human Services (Senior Services, MSU Extension & Veterans Services) and GIS (Remonumentation). Kelli Scott, County Administrator/Controller, shares her enthusiasm and outlook for the restructured department: “Last year the County Board of Commissioners supported the creation of a new Community Development department because of their goal to make Calhoun County an even better place in which to live, work and play. This unique partnership between Calhoun County and MSU Extension allows us to centralize and enhance many services, including community development, economic development, and parks and recreation management. I am excited about the leadership Ingrid Ault brings, and about the dedicated resources we now have to work to-gether with other organizations toward community development.”

MSU Extension assisted individuals, households, organizations and communities to become sus-

tainable through workshops and other education related to financial capability, pre-purchase and

foreclosure intervention. It also offered resources, including www.mimoneyhealth.org — MI Money

Health, a website maintained to provide Michigan citizens with access to non-commercial, relia-

ble personal financial information.

Financial Literacy and Foreclosure Prevention

Fostering vital sustainable communities, creating community food systems, preserving natural resources, generating vital

economies, and building leaders are the goals of MSU Extension staff members of the Greening Michigan Institute.

Page 9

GREENING MICHIGANGREENING MICHIGANGREENING MICHIGANGREENING MICHIGAN

The Michigan Cottage Food Law enabling the

production of certain foods in a home kitchen for

direct sales is still relatively new. Members of

MSU Extension and Product Center Counselors

collaborated with MSU Extension Food Safety

Team to provide food safety, cottage food, and

business development content in a single ses-

sion that could be easily presented around the

Entrepreneurship Training and Cottage Food Law Classes

state. On average, of participants who

completed the course, 93% understood

what is necessary to run a successful

food business, and 78% felt that the

sessions met or more than met their

needs in starting a cottage food busi-

ness. A two hour workshop taught in

Marshall combined the business and

food safety aspects of preparing and

Community Food Systems

MSUE worked with a community garden

leader to design a program for small

farmers and gardeners to learn about

handling food safely. MSUE Educators

co-taught the workshop titled “Growing

and Harvesting Safely to Sell” to mem-

bers of the Leila Arboretum Garden 356

program. Food safety topics were

covered, specifically personal hygiene

and training for workers. There were

22 in attendance and participants

represented both small scale farmers

and community garden leaders.

This program focuses on how to organize, operate and run the garden as its leader. This very successful

program was held in Kalamazoo and drew people from across the state. Topics covered included managing the garden, memberships,

rentals, rules, marketing, fundraising, and connecting with gardeners. MSU Extension Community Food Systems Educators assisted

Eaton Corporation in planning its community garden in Marshall for corporate employees.

Community Garden Development Workshop: Growing Community

Gardens: Leading & Feeding

A weekly news column, published in the Marshall AdVisor & Chronicle and the Battle Creek Shopper, which shares seasonal and timely health and nutritional information to its readers.

Choose Health

“Rita (Klavinski), Just thought you’d be interested to know that your article

“7 benefits of eating local foods” is the fifth most visited article on the MSU Extension website in 2014 so far,

with 9,159 pageviews. This indicates that the article is both popular and very useful to the public. Great job!”

Dennis Bond, Manager

of Web Services at the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources at Michigan State

May 16, 2014

Page 10

GREENING MICHIGANGREENING MICHIGANGREENING MICHIGANGREENING MICHIGAN

The MSU Product Center Food-Ag-Bio assists county residents in developing products and businesses in the areas of food, agricul-

ture, natural resources and the bio economy. Select MSUE educators around the state have special training as innovation counse-

lors to deliver these services. Business counseling is conducted on a one-to-one basis and may take place at the MSUE office or the

client’s home or business location.

The assistance provided is tailored to meet the needs of the client and may include things like developing a business plan, navi-

gating the regulatory maze, accessing the supply chain, or seeking funding options. The educator also assists clients in accessing

specialized services they may need that are offered through Michigan State University like feasibility studies, nutritional labeling

and packaging assistance.

The Michigan State University Product Center (www.productcenter.msu.edu) helps Michigan entrepreneurs and businesses to de-

velop and launch new product and service ideas into food, agriculture, natural resources, and bioenergy markets.

The MSU Product Center Food, Ag, Bio helps develop and commercialize high value, consumer-responsive products and businesses

in the agriculture and natural food sectors. Budding entrepreneurs and established companies can utilize the center as a key to the

front door of MSU's vast and varied technical expertise, research, outreach, and educational services.

The MSU Product Center Innovation counselors serve as the initial contact, and are certified to assess

the business/product development, identify markets, and assist with innovation of new products to

guide the process from start-up to market. Additionally, MSU Product Center conducts the premier new

food product trade show “Making It In Michigan” in Lansing every fall. It offers new food producers an

opportunity to make contact with retail and wholesale outlets to better establish marketing channels.

MSU Product Center

The Product Center cooperative development services provides assistance and educational ser-

vices to individuals and groups in rural areas desiring to organize cooperative businesses or seek-

ing to expand existing cooperatives. This is accomplished by both individual counseling to poten-

tial cooperatives and by an annual conference held in various parts of the state. This year the

sites were the Southwest Michigan and Northwest Michigan MSU research stations and a retail

location in Dundee. Total attendance numbered about 85. MSU Extension Educators coordinate

needs with resources.

Cooperative Development Services Coordination

Page 11

GREENING MICHIGANGREENING MICHIGANGREENING MICHIGANGREENING MICHIGAN

MSUE teamed up with the MI-Place Partnership Initiative to introduce a new

curriculum devoted solely to placemaking. The MI-Place Partnership Initiative

is a statewide initiative made up of the Michigan State Housing Development

Authority, the Municipal League, the MSU Land Policy Institute, and other

statewide organizations with the purpose of restoring economic prosperity to

Michigan. MSUE educators trained over 200 private consultants and state

agency personnel in this curriculum in 2013. The 2014 portion of the project

focused on providing training and facilitation across the state to selected big

city, suburban and small communities to assist them in looking at community

assets and how to leverage them to develop strategic placemaking plans.

Workshops took place across the state, including Benton Harbor, Battle

Creek and Kalamazoo teaching community leaders about the importance of

including placemaking in their economic strategies to attract talent and retain

entrepreneurs. MSU Extension educators were responsible for teaching and

facilitating the second session of the two part program in each community.

Results show that the trainings are making an impact in increasing aware-

ness of the new economy trends and placemaking principles and people un-

derstand the importance of developing place as an attraction/retention strat-

egy. The facilitated workshops have helped communities develop a vision for

developing walkable urban places that are attractive to knowledge workers

and entrepreneurs. Leaders have developed lists of strategic placemaking

assets and defined areas for improvement in their communities.

Government Board Leadership Development

358 people received training in effective meeting management in 2013-14. Town-

ship, city, village and county officials learned the basics of good communication

among board members and public engagement techniques. They also received

training on the implementation of the Opens Meetings Act and how to comply with

that law while meeting the demands of policy making

Citizen Planner Program

The seven-week classroom program was held in Cass and Kalamazoo Counties in 2013-14. 37 members of local planning and zoning

boards and the general public successfully completed the course; several finished their capstone projects and obtained Master Citizen

Planner status.

Economic Development with Placemaking

MSU Extension Program Institutes:MSU Extension Program Institutes:MSU Extension Program Institutes:MSU Extension Program Institutes:

Enhancing Michigan's First Green Industry: Agriculture & AgribusinessEnhancing Michigan's First Green Industry: Agriculture & AgribusinessEnhancing Michigan's First Green Industry: Agriculture & AgribusinessEnhancing Michigan's First Green Industry: Agriculture & Agribusiness

Focus: Keep research and education on the cutting edge to keep agriculture and agribusiness strong and secure. Grow Michi-

gan's $71.3 billon agriculture and agribusiness industry which employs 25% of Michigan's working population.

Preparing Michigan's Children & Youth for the FuturePreparing Michigan's Children & Youth for the FuturePreparing Michigan's Children & Youth for the FuturePreparing Michigan's Children & Youth for the Future

Focus: Create and foster an environment that provides educational opportunity for young people and the adults who support

them. Help develop skills youth need for a quality life to prepare them for the future so they can be productive and contribute

to society.

Greening Michigan: Leveraging Natural and Human Assets for ProsperityGreening Michigan: Leveraging Natural and Human Assets for ProsperityGreening Michigan: Leveraging Natural and Human Assets for ProsperityGreening Michigan: Leveraging Natural and Human Assets for Prosperity

Focus: Enhance knowledge and decision making skills for communities and individuals throughout the state on how to respond

to the changes from manufacturing economy to a knowledge economy. A large part of this new economy is the green industry.

Improving the Health & Nutrition of Michigan's residentsImproving the Health & Nutrition of Michigan's residentsImproving the Health & Nutrition of Michigan's residentsImproving the Health & Nutrition of Michigan's residents

Focus: Create a healthy and holistic viewpoint for Michigan' residents for issues involving physical, social and mental health.

Page 12

STAFF DIRECTORY

Other Extension Educators Serving Calhoun County:

BioEnergy Dennis Pennington pennin34@msu.edu

Consumer Hor"culture, Landscape & Turf Mary Wilson wilsonm1@msu.edu

Dairy Kathy Lee leeka@anr.msu.edu

Equine Tom Guthrie guthri19@msu.edu

Financial Housing & Educa"on Literacy Khurram Imam imamkhur@msu.edu

Food and Animal Systems George Silva silvag@msu.edu

Food Safety Jeannie Nichols nichol15@msu.edu

Livestock Animal Care Handling (Manure Mgmt) Tina Conklin conkli74@msu.edu

Livestock Environmental Quality Shelby Bollwahn bollwah1@msu.edu

Livestock Grazing Gerald Lindquist lindquis@msu.edu

Nutri"on/SNAP Ed Lea@a Byrd byrdle@msu.edu

Public Policy Julie Pioch piochj@msu.edu

Small Fruit & Hor"culture Mark Longstroth longstr@msu.edu

Sustaining Community Prosperity & Entrepreneurship Mark Thomas mthomas@msu.edu

Swine Beth Ferry franzeli@msu.edu

Tree Fruit Bill Shane shane@msu.edu

Water Resource Management Jane Herbert jherbert@msu.edu

Beef Livestock Kevin Gould gouldk@msu.edu

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2014 celebrates the 100-year signing anniversary of the Smith-Lever Act, which officially

created the national Cooperative Extension System. President Woodrow Wilson signed leg-

islation that extended the land-grant university concept beyond university campuses to

reach into communities across the United States. For 100 years, the Smith-Lever Act has

stimulated innovative research and vital educational programs for youth and adults through

progressive information delivery systems that extend knowledge and improve lives using a

state-by-state network of Extension Educators.

Extension is a unique partnership between federal, state, and county governments. Coun-

ty-based community partnerships in Michigan have been thriving for nearly 100 years as

MSU Extension, Michigan’s land grant university, delivers education throughout the state

and uniquely in the southwest region.

Sincerely,

Ginger Hentz District 13 Coordinator

MESSAGE FROM THE DISTRICT COORDINATOR

Michigan State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materi-

als are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political

beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8

and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI

48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorse-

ment by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

Calhoun County Building

315 W. Green Street

Marshall, MI 49068

Phone: 269-781-0784

Fax: 269-781-0768

E-mail: msue.calhoun@county.msu.edu

Office Website: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/county/

info/calhoun

MSU Extension Staff:MSU Extension Staff:MSU Extension Staff:MSU Extension Staff: Ginger HentzGinger HentzGinger HentzGinger Hentz, District Coordinator Roger BetzRoger BetzRoger BetzRoger Betz, District Extension Senior Educator Farm Management Ingrid AultIngrid AultIngrid AultIngrid Ault, Extension Educator Community Development Kathy FischerKathy FischerKathy FischerKathy Fischer, Extension 4-H Coordinator 4-H Program Dana WawrzyniecDana WawrzyniecDana WawrzyniecDana Wawrzyniec, Program Instructor Food & Nutrition Janice WrightJanice WrightJanice WrightJanice Wright, Program Assistant Patricia DadowPatricia DadowPatricia DadowPatricia Dadow, Secretary

MSU Extension is on the Web!

http://msue.anr.msu.edu/

Michigan State University (MSU) Extension

With a presence in every Michigan county, Extension faculty and staff members provide tools to live and work better. From a personal meeting to information online, MSU Extension educators work every day to pro-vide the most current information when people need it to ensure success – in the workplace, at home and in

the community.

Whether it’s helping grow Michigan’s agriculture econo-my, capturing opportunities that use our natural re-sources in a sustainable way, controlling health care costs by giving individuals the information they need to manage chronic illness or preparing tomorrow’s lead-ers, MSU Extension is creating opportunities and build-ing communities that make Michigan strong, prosper-

ous and a great place to live.

CALHOUN COUNTY MSU EXTENSION

Calhoun County MSU Extension—serving the citizens of the county

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MSU Extension Calhoun County Building 315 W. Green St. Marshall, MI 49068