Michigan State University Extension takes aim at five critical Michigan issues, helps residents improve their lives

Get the latest news and information about Michigan agriculture

Find out how healthy your finances are and get tools to improve your financial health

Learn about MSU Extension's redesign effort

Oil and gas leasing information for homeowners from MSU Extension

Director Coon's webinar regarding proposed Memorandum of Agreement between MSU and Michigan counties

Proposal for standardized Memorandum of Agreement between MSU and Michigan counties

Place your order at the MSU Extension specialty "e" store at shop.msu

Welcome to Baraga County...

For the best local information check with your local MSU Extension office, listed by county in the directory

Commodity Market Outlook  

Value-Added Agriculture

Value-Added agriculture is a process of increasing the economic value and consumer appeal of an agricultural commodity. 

MSU Product Center for  Agriculture and Natural Resources

Sheep Listing Network

Michigan Haymarket

Michigan Manure Brokering Website

Agricultural Compost Marketplace

County Profiles and Data.  Profiles of all 83 Michigan counties are available.

Community Assessment Teams. This is an intense two to four day workshop to answer specific community questions.

Board Development and Training. Workshops and customized on-site training for non-profit governance.

Citizen Planner Certificate Program. This is an evening course for people who serve on, or interact with, local planning commissions.

Small Town Design Initiative. A process to stimulate creative thinking about a community's physical environment.  

Home Based Business
A notebook and other educational materials are available to conduct programs for home based business.
Contact: Mark Thomas, Van Buren MSU Extension - (269) 655-8308

Labor Shortage Analysis
A research project to find available labor to enter the labor market is being conducted.
Contact: Colletta Moser - MSU Dept of Ag Econ. - (517) 353-3298

Rural Retailer Program
Materials, including bulletins and a computer program, are available to help small retailers analyze their financials and an their business for more profit.
Contact: Van Varner, Novi Ext. Center - (248) 347-0269

Business Retention and Expansion Program
The MSU Business Retention and Expansion Program involves the community in a program designed to keep businesses in the community and help them grow. Volunteers are trained to visit local businesses and conduct a survey. Follow-up teams of trained volunteers and professionals follow-up to solve local and state problems identified by the businesses.
Contact: Mark Thomas, Van Buren MSU Extension - (269) 655-8308

CAT - Community Assessment Team
The MSU CAT is an exercise where outside experts visit a community, city, or county to give expert advice to answer the questions raised by a local committee. The visit is a 2-4 day event involving numerous citizens. It is often the catalyst to get the community working to solve local problems.
Contact: Local County Extension Director

Basic Economic Scans for Counties and Communities
Specific local data and other detailed demographics and economic data is available from MSU Extension.
Contact: Local County Extension Director

General Workforce Development
This program focuses on improving the understanding of and the utilization of the existing and potential workforce.
Contact: Mark Thomas - Van Buren County - (269) 655-8308

Human Resource Management for Small Business
A Course taught by MSU HR Specialists in your community to help small businesses develop and manage their Human Resources.
Contact: Bill Carpenter, Iosco County - (989) 984-1057
Contact: Colletta Moser, MSU Dept. of Ag Econ. - (517) 353-3298

Fast Trac
FastTrac is a 9- 11 week intensive entrepreneurial training course directed at those who would like to start a business or improve their present business. FastTrac I students develop a feasibility plan, while FastTrac II students develop a "Business Plan".
Contact: Van Varner, Novi Ext. Center - (248) 347-0269

Going Solo
Going Solo is a complete package for guiding aspiring entrepreneurs into the world of business ownership. The materials have been developed for both young and adult entrepreneurial training programs. The flexible and adaptable design can be customized for virtually any setting.
Contact: Dave Ivan, Clinton County- (989) 224-5240

Nx Level
A ten session, 30-hour course that addresses those questions every entreprenuer needs to answer before starting or expanding a business venture. Participants develop a business plan during the course to test the feasibility of thier business concept and to act as the blueprint for their venture.
Contact: Dianne Novak, Hannah Tech Center- (517) 432-8754

For the best local information check with your local MSU Extension office, listed by county in the directory.

Agricultural Weather 

Selections in the homepage are provided by MSU Agricultural Weather Office and the National Weather Service.

Intergrated Pest Management 

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a sustainable approach for managing insects, weeds and plant diseases that combines the use of biological control, cultural, physical, and chemical tactics in a way that minimizes economic, health, and environmental risks.

The Crop Advisory Team (CAT) Alert newsletters feature timely pest management information based on current conditions. MSU faculty and Extension field staff write and pest management concerns. Select one of the four editions: fruit, vegetable, field crop and landscape. With the exception of the landscape edition, the information is primarily for commercial production of crops.

Value-Added Agriculture  

Value-Added agriculture is a process of increasing the economic value and consumer appeal of an agricultural commodity.

MSU Wheat 

The US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative aims to create the conditions necessary for a swift and complete technological triumph in the war against Fusarium Head Blight. Field Trials

MSU Variety Trials 

(Corn, Soybeans, Wheat and Forage)

Field Crops AoE

For the best local information check with your local MSU Extension office, listed by county in the directory.

For the best local information check with your local MSU Extension office, listed by county in the directory.

Furthering Families

Furthering Families provides informational materials to help families cope with food safety, financial management, and family stress issues.

Furthering Families is a grant-funded partnership between Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Department of Agriculture made available through the Bovine TB Eradication Project.

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program(EFNEP) 

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) provides nutrition education to low-income families with children. MSU Extension instructors provide education in a way that is fun and interesting to help families maximize their resources.

Family Nutrition Program

The Family Nutrition Program (FNP) provides nutrition education to anyone eligible for or receiving food stamp benefits. MSU Extension collaborates with other agencies to coordinate efforts and refer families to local community services that best meet the families' needs.

This website is an outcome of the work done as part of the Voices and Visions Food Safety Project directed by the MSU Extension Food Safety Area of Expertise Team and the National Food Safety and Toxicology Center at Michigan State University. Be sure to look at the page of useful links.

Food Preservation Resources

MSUE Preserving Food Safely

National  Center for Home Food Preservation

Penn State Home Food Preservation Database

For the best local information check with your local MSU Extension office, listed by county in the directory.

Gardening in Michigan
Developed by MSU Consumer Horticulture Team with MSU IPM Program

 Master Gardener
The Michigan Master Gardener Program is a horticulture education and volunteer leader training program offered by Michigan State University Extension. 

Ornamental Plants Plus
MSU Extension full text database on cultivars, diseases, and pests, management and planting. Very comprehensive. 

MSU Diagnostic Center
From the Diagnostic Center, information on the kinds of tests they run, how to take them, and the costs.

MSU Gardens
Links to many of the gardens, some with virtual tours. You will need to scroll down to see the listing.

MSU Extension Bookstore
Many bulletins on gardening topics, some online.

   Do you know your numbers?

The MSU Extension “I Know MI Numbers” (pronounced: “I know my numbers”) initiative is intended to inspire Michigan residents to actively engage in understanding what “numbers” translate into healthier living, a cleaner environment, educational achievement, good local government, and ultimately, a prosperous Michigan. The final goal is a state that is thriving and successful.

Watch the video here.

Read the announcement here.
 

For the best local information check with your local MSU Extension office, listed by county in the directory

Experience the Power of 4-H — Volunteer! 

• How to Start a Club
• Child Well-Being: Volunteer Selection Process
• Starting the Year Off Right: Tips and Tools for 4-H Volunteers
• Partner with Youth to Make a Difference in Communities
• Michigan 4-H Today
• About 4-H Ceremonies

For the best local information check with your local MSU Extension office, listed by county in the directory.

Land Use Area of Expertise Team pagesPromoting positive land use through public education, capacity building and applied leadership development.

Citizen Planner

Urban Collaborators

For the best local information check with your local MSU Extension office, listed by county in the directory.

Tourism Area of Expertise Team

Tourism Educational Materials
A comprehensive inventory of Extension resource materials related to tourism education. Currently the database contains over 250 Extension resource materials including bulletins, research reports, videos, and training programs. Nearly 100 documents are on-line in full text.

A Three-Way Partnership: Historical Highlights charts the legislative and policy changes that have shaped MSU Extension through the years. It is available at http://web1.msue.msu.edu/msue/docs/MSUEhistorychart.pdf.

County partner report template and other information

AgrAbility helps farmers and ag workers continue working with a disability or change in their health.

It offers a farm or work site assessment to identify modifications to accommodate a worker's ability so he or she can continue their agriculture employment.

Information and program referrals are also available. Assistance is available to apply for a low interest loan for persons with disabilities managed by a nonprofit service agency.

The Michigan AgrAbility Web Site
http://www.michiganagrability.org/

For the best local information check with your local MSU Extension office, listed by county in the directory.

Breast-Feeding Initiative

The Breast-Feeding Initiative is recognized as the best source of nutrition for infants. The lowest rates of breastfeeding in Michigan are found among the WIC eligible population, the very group whose infants are at the highest risk of poor health and development.

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) 

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) provides nutrition education to low-income families with children. MSU Extension instructors provide education in a way that is fun and interesting to help families maximize their resources.

Family Nutrition Program

The Family Nutrition Program (FNP) provides nutrition education to anyone eligible for or receiving food stamp benefits. MSU Extension collaborates with other agencies to coordinate efforts and refer families to local community services that best meet the families' needs.

Michigan Nutrition Network (MNN)

The Michigan Nutrition Network fosters multidisciplinary, community-based, public-private collaboration to build and strengthen alliances focused on nutrition and physical activity. The Network facilitates the development of effective, high quality nutrition and physical activity initiatives that reach Michigan consumers - with a special focus on reaching those with low income.

Project Fresh 

Project FRESH program provides participants with nutrition education and encourages participants to improve their dietary choices by providing them with coupons to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers’ markets. The program increases the demand for Michigan grown produce and boosts the income of farmers who sell fruits and vegetables at participating markets.

Take Charge of Your Diabetes
 
Through funding from Medicaid, MSU Extension in conjunction with the MSU Department of Family Practice has developed and implemented a health behavior change program to address the lifestyle management of type 2 diabetes in Medicaid-eligible population in Michigan. Take Charge of Your Diabetes is a modification of the successful program, Sticking to It for Diabetes, which was designed to encourage behavior change in a variety of nutrition and health areas. Take Charge of Your Diabetes is designed to help participants feel empowered to take control of their own health.

Watch Me Grow - Healthy, Happy and Strong! Calendar

Being a parent is a tough job, wouldn't you agree? It is often tough to know who to turn to for information about parenting, nutrition, safety and many other issues that arise in families. Now there is something to help!

The Watch Me Grow calendar is specifically designed for families with young children in Michigan. Each month highlights a different program - offering both program information and telephone numbers. Activities and tips for parents are also offered throughout the calendar providing information on health, safety, nutrition and parenting.

For the best local information check with your local MSU Extension office, listed by county in the directory

Fisheries
     CoastWatch
     Know your NETS!
     Sturgeon Project
     Wetlands

Largemouth Bass Virus - problems in Michigan

 Aquatic Invasive Species

MSU Extension Water Quality Network