MSU Extension

What is Extension?

We go by many names. MSU’s outreach arm. Michigan’s community-based network. Or sometimes just “that place that saved my tomato plants.” 

Whatever you call us, we’re powered by Michigan State University and working in every county across the state. MSU Extension brings trusted, research-backed knowledge to where it’s needed most: your home, your farm, your business, or your neighborhood. 

You don’t have to be an MSU student to work with MSU Extension. Our services are open to the public, and available to people of all backgrounds and skillsets. We turn knowledge into real-life solutions, whether you’re trying to eat well on a budget, grow better crops, raise confident kids, or anything in between. 

What We Do

Ever heard of “the land-grant mission”? It’s the idea that public universities like MSU exist not just to teach students, but to share knowledge broadly, especially in ways that strengthen communities. MSU Extension is how that mission shows up across Michigan, translating research into practical, everyday solutions people can actually use.  

We work alongside people in every Michigan county to help them live and work better. Whether it’s a local class, a phone call, or a trusted online guide, our experts are here to share practical, research-backed information when and where it’s needed most. 

You’ll see our work when a grower tests a new farming method or a teen steps into their very first leadership role. We help turn knowledge into action. 

Want to learn more about our impact? Hear the stories of how MSU Extension is making a difference in communities across the state through science, education, and real-world results. And check out our year in review with our annual impact report, Extension at Work. 

Our Roots

MSU Extension has been a part of Michigan communities for more than 100 years. It started in 1907, when what was then “Michigan State College” (now MSU) hired its first field agent to share farm knowledge with local growers.  
 
A few years later, the federal Smith-Lever Act made Extension a formal part of every land-grant university, including MSU. Since then, we’ve grown to support homes, schools, farms, businesses, or neighborhoods across the state. 

Wherever people are working to improve their lives and communities, Extension is there.