To join a Ontonagon County 4-H Club, new members can enroll online by clicking on https://enrollments.4-h.org. Once you click on the link, go to JOIN 4-H, select state (MICHIGAN), click SIGN UP, go to JOIN MICHIGAN 4-H, select county (ONTONAGON), click on YOUTH MEMBER and then JOIN. This will take you to the new 4-H enrollment form. When the enrollment form is complete, click ENROLL.
You can also obtain the paper version of the 4-H enrollment form by clicking the 2011-12 4-H Enrollment Form. Please DO NOT enter a previous 4-H member using the online version...they will be entered into the system more than once.
Please REMEMBER...the 4-H ID NUMBER on the enrollment form should be the first initial of the youth's last name and the last 4 digits of their social security number...example K1234. This is the number they will use when exhibiting at the Ontonagon County Fair.
There is also a $10 annual participation fee which needs to be paid to your primary 4-H club.
Once the 4-H enrollment form is completed & submitted, it will be sent to the MSU Extension Office where it will be reviewed by the 4-H staff for accuracy. The membership will remain pending until the $10 annual participation fee is turned in by the 4-H Administrative Leader. At that time, you will receive an email letting you know the membership has been accepted.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 906-884-4386.
The 2008 Ontonagon County Plat book is available in our office for $15.
The 2012 Ontonagon County Plat book is not available yet. We will update as soon as they are made available.
Plat books can also be purchased at the following locations throughout the county:
Borseth Properties, Ewen
Citizens State Bank, Ontonagon, Mass City, White Pine
Haight Township Treasurer, Patricia Urbis, Bruce Crossing
Ontonagon County Historical Museum
Ontonagon Herald
The Depot in Rockland
Settler's Co-op and Credit Union, Bruce Crossing
State Bank of Ewen
Wakefield Insurance Agency Inc., Bruce Crossing
Plat books are also available by mail.
NEWLY AVAILABLE: Plat Book e-books--$100-- with all of the plat book information in PDF format, ready to send or upload! $100 for the e-book with a yearly renewal.
Plat Book Wall Maps--$75--How would you like to see all of the plats on your business wall laid out in county map format? A 60x60 inch wall map can be yours by contacting our office. Great for realtors and assessors! For pick up only.
To receive a plat book by mail send a check or money order to: Ontonagon County 4-H, 725 Greenland Road, Ontonagon, MI 49953. The cost for one plat book is $18, two plat books- $33, three plat books- $50 , which includes shipping.
Why have your soil tested?The major objective of soil testing is to have a basis for proper use of fertilizer and lime. Soil testing is widely used for diagnosing problems, sometimes called "troubleshooting." It is an important diagnostic tool for evaluating nutrient imbalances and more recently for measuring trends in nutrient levels and to identify locations where nutrient losses (pollution) may occur.
Taking the sampleSoil samples may be taken at any time during the year when temperatures (lack of frost) and moisture conditions permit. Our office has two soil probes which can be borrowed to take the samples. Collect at least six soil samples using a soil probe, spade or trowel and place in a clean platic pail.
Testing your soil is the first step in ensuring your lawn or garden has all the necessary nutrients needed to be beautiful and bountiful.
“Currently soil testing is not used to the extent it should be by homeowners and gardeners because many people don’t think about it, or they think it’s easier to just grab a product off the shelf,” said MSU Extension turf specialist Kevin Frank. “Soil testing is important, though, because not only will it let you know what nutrients you might need to apply, but if you don’t need to apply anything you can save money and time.”
While MSU Extension has offered soil-testing services for many years, the process has been somewhat time consuming, consisting of multiple trips to and from the county MSU Extension office. With the new soil kits, however, the process is streamlined so homeowners can get results quickly and be on their way to a productive lawn or garden. The kits include a soil bag, mail-in envelope, directions for taking soil samples and information about what your results tell you.
“One of the most unique parts of this kit is that your results will be emailed directly to you,” Frank explained. “From there, your results will be linked to a website that gives you products you may want to use and application rates.”
The new kit is the first effort of its kind for MSU Extension and is presently available for soil testing lawns or vegetable gardens. Testing for other garden plants will be added in the next year. Farmers who want to test their fields or homeowners who want to test soils before they plant trees or shrubs will need to continue using the standard method. Planning is underway to expand the options for the self-mailed kit in the future.
The availability of easy-to-use soil test kits will become increasingly important for homeowners in the future. Starting in January, a new Michigan law will go into effect that prevents anyone from applying phosphorus to lawns without a soil test recommendation.
“Testing helps our environment by letting us know what the soil needs. This protects our water supply by reducing the chance of over-applying nutrients,” Frank said.
The kits will be available on the MSU Extension Bookstore website for $20 plus tax. Once soil samples are mailed to and tested by the MSU Soil and Plant Nutrient Lab, results will be emailed along with recommendations for product application. Homeowners who have questions after receiving their results and visiting the website should contact their county MSU Extension office or an MSU Extension educator who serves their area. The kits are available for purchase at the Ontonagon County MSU Extension office. Phone 884-4386 or email msue66@msu.edu for more information.
Gardening Resources
For the best local information check with your local MSU Extension office, listed by county in the directory.
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.
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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.
To view the current and past issues of the U.P. Ag Connections Newsletter click on the icons below. The newsletter is published monthly by the Ontonagon County MSU Extension office. The newsletter provides agriculture information with articles written by MSU experts and other professionals from related organizations.
The newsletter is published monthly and distributed to over 1,000 producers, businesses, organizations and other in Michigan and northern Wisconsin. To view the archive of past issues visit: http://www.agbioresearch.msu.edu/uprc/newsletter.html.
For more information or if you are interested in placing an ad, call 906-884-4386 or email msue66@msu.edu.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
MAES BecomesMSU AgBioResearchNew name to reflect breadth, relevance of work
Steve Pueppke, MSU AgBioResearch, Office: 517-355-0123, ext. 110 Michigan State University’s Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station has changed its name to MSU AgBioResearch.
This decision was not made lightly, MSU AgBioResearch officials said.
Since its creation in 1888, the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station has had a proud history of contributing significantly to the world of agriculture as well as ensuring the wise use of natural and community resources and enhancing the quality of life in Michigan, the nation and the world.
The new name was selected following a yearlong process that included discussions with both internal and external partners. “I am very pleased with the outcome of this naming process,” said AgBioResearch director Steve Pueppke. “Our new name along with the tagline ‘leading innovation in food, natural resources and energy,’ better conveys the breadth and relevance of the work we do, while remaining true to our land-grant mission in support of Michigan agriculture.”
AgBioResearch is committed to turning new discoveries into practical, real-world solutions that generate economic prosperity, sustain natural resources and enhance the quality of life for all.
There are nearly 400 scientists at MSU who are part of the AgBioResearch network. They work in six MSU colleges: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Communication Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Natural Science, Social Science and Veterinary Medicine. In addition to agricultural production research, AgBioResearch scientists are investigating topics that range from alternative energy and biofuel production to childhood obesity, community development, environmental stewardship, and food safety and security.
AgBioResearch is vital to Michigan’s agriculture industry, according to Jeffrey Armstrong, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
For more information, visit agbioresearch.msu.edu.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials 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 endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
