MSU Extension

What is MSU 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.

Who do you help?

People just like you! You don’t have to be an MSU student to work with MSU Extension, use our resources, or attend our classes and programs. Our services are open to the public, and available to people of all backgrounds and skillsets. Whoever you are, if you’re trying to eat well on a budget, grow better crops, raise confident kids, or anything in between, we're here to help. 

What do you 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.

In short, whether it’s through a local class, a phone call, or a trusted online guide, we work alongside people in every Michigan county to help them live and work better.

Want to learn more about our impact? Dive into the stories of how MSU Extension is making a difference in communities across the state through science, education, and real-world results. 

How did MSU Extension start?

When it comes to 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.
 
Learn more about our history as the pioneer land-grant institution: 

Still curious? You can learn about...

• The work of the MSU Extension and AgBioResearch State Advisory Council
• The work of Extension and AgBioResearch centers across the state
• How our structure works, and who our leadership team is
• Our commitment to culture, access, and belonging
• Our impact throughout Michigan, via stories and videos, as well as impact reports
• Our strategic vision for the future
• Other ways to get involved with us, from receiving our custom email newsletters to volunteering 
• What it's like to work at MSU Extension