2017-18 Legislative Report

Developing civically engaged leaders

MSU Extension is helping to develop youth as current and future leaders by providing programs that instill young people with knowledge and skills to become positive agents of change.

Supporting agricultural workforce development across Michigan

The MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology supports the state’s food and agriculture needs for a qualified workforce by offering relevant specialized training on campus and across the state by partnering with 10 community colleges.

Mitigating effects of invasive insect attacking hemlock trees

A tiny insect — no larger than 1.5 millimeters in length — threatens more than 170 million trees in Michigan, and the cascading ecosystem effects could be catastrophic.

2017-18 Legislative Report Leadership Notes

A message from the leadership of MSU AgBioResearch, MSU Extension and CANR.

Developing strategies to prevent chronic wasting disease

A disease of the nervous system exclusive to members of the cervid family — deer, elk, moose and other hoofed, antlered, ruminant mammals — chronic wasting disease is a fatal disease with no known cure or vaccine.

Supporting pollination in agriculture

MSU led the Integrate Crop Pollination project, a nationwide, multi-institutional research project to investigate the performance, economics and farmer perceptions of different pollination strategies across a range of fruit and vegetable crops.

Protecting Great Lakes landscapes for healthy pollinators

Tiny but mighty pollinators are an essential contributor to many of Michigan’s high-value fruits and vegetables.

Confronting animal agriculture’s challenges through growing initiative

With $600,000 from Michigan State University and the backing of the animal agriculture industry, the Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture was born in 2015. Since then, funding has diversified and grown considerably.

Improving food access and nutrition education in Flint

In partnership with the Flint community and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, MSU Extension continues building on existing healthy environment initiatives as well as introducing new interactive nutrition education kiosks.

Forecasting risk runoff through EnviroImpact Tool

Michigan State University and Michigan Sea Grant Extension and other partners produced the MSU EnviroImpact, an online decision-support tool providing users with regularly updated forecasts for surface runoff risk.

Preparing Michigan youth for future employment

Michigan State University Extension offers 4-H Youth Development programs that focus on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, career exploration and workforce preparation.

Providing undergrads opportunity to sample graduate life

Michigan State University was awarded a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation to continue its involvement with the NSF’s Research Experience for Undergraduates program.

Revitalizing neighborhoods with pollinator education, community spaces

Detroit is transforming every single day. One neighborhood key to the city’s evolution is Brightmoor. Its biggest champion is Rosalyn Flint, a community activist and local business owner, who is spearheading the Cross Pollination Corridor Project.

Coaching child care providers to improve nutrition and physical activity

MSU Extension provides free coaching for eligible child care providers with the goal of improving nutrition and physical activity through policy, systems and environmental initiatives.

Making a difference in postsecondary education enrollment through Michigan 4-H

Through its wide range of programs, Michigan 4-H promotes personal growth, career exploration and goal-setting.

Assisting produce growers in complying with farm food safety laws

Growers have the option to enroll in the On-Farm Readiness Review, a voluntary, confidential verification program by trained individuals to ensure compliance.

Building healthy habits for a healthier generation

To prepare children and youth with these critical competencies, Michigan State University Extension’s 4-H Youth Development is teaching youth about food, nutrition, physical activity and personal safety.

Taking flight with Michigan’s first urban food research center

Michigan State University broke ground on the Detroit Partnership for Food, Learning and Innovation.

Revitalizing urban and rural communities through tourism assessment

Michigan State University Extension developed the First Impressions Tourism program to meet the needs of Michigan’s rural communities interested in community revitalization via tourism and recreation.

Solving the phosphorous pollution puzzle

When fertilizers run off into nearby streams, rivers and lakes, phosphorus in the fertilizer can degrade water quality, promote harmful algal blooms and, in extreme cases, cause massive fish kills.

Serving Upper Peninsula agriculture and communities

In the last five years, the Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center in Chatham, Michigan, has reconfigured its mission to serve the needs of Upper Peninsula farmers and communities through place-based research, education and outreach programs.

Managing pain and raising opioid awareness in Michigan communities

The misuse of and addiction to opioids – including prescription pain relievers and heroin – is a serious national public health crisis. To help, MSU Extension offers educational programs and facilitates critical partnerships with community groups.

Providing learning opportunities through Michigan Sea Grant place-based education

Michigan Sea Grant provides educational programming and support for the regional NEMIGLSI place-based education network.

Promoting water safety, saving lives in the Great Lakes through Michigan Sea Grant

Michigan Sea Grant implemented a multifaceted approach to public outreach and education about rip currents and other swimming hazards to improve beach safety on the Great Lakes.

Restoring habitat, assisting communities in implementing green infrastructure

Michigan Sea Grant has partnered on several multiyear projects helping communities successfully complete habitat restoration projects as well as review and change ordinances and codes to encourage green infrastructure implementation.

Analyzing farm businesses and planning for success across generations

MSU Extension’s Farm Business Analysis program, in conjunction with TelFarm Accounting, assists growers in maintaining records to track biological inputs and financial transactions and then analyzing the results to guide management decisions.

Educating community officials with dynamic online learning

Michigan State University Extension’s Citizen Planner Program has been the premier land use educational opportunity for Michigan’s elected and appointed officials for decades.

Responding to stress in farm communities and throughout Michigan

To help respond to the needs of Michigan farmers and their families, MSU Extension developed the Communicating With Farmers Under Stress workshop.

Helping parents create a solid foundation for kids

To support Michigan’s working families, Michigan State University Extension provides parent education trainings for caregivers of children from birth to 3 years old.

Improving educational resources for Michigan fruit growers

Fruit growers in Michigan face many challenges that can have huge impacts on their businesses.

Building stronger tribal governments through specialized training course

Michigan is home to 12 federally recognized tribal nations, all with unique styles of government. MSU Extension helps these communities form strong leadership through its Building Strong Sovereign Nations program.

Helping dairy farms increase milking efficiencies and improve the milking experience for cows

Employee milker training programs standardize processes used on many farms.

Educating farmers on drone capabilities

Unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones, can help increase farm efficiency and minimize labor on Michigan farms.

Helping restore habitat and protect native plants and animals on Michigan island

Michigan Sea Grant coordinated efforts to team up students with scientists to monitor Pitcher’s thistle and effectiveness of treatments to reduce invasive Phragmites on Big Charity Island.

Polling consumer knowledge, opinions on food

The Michigan State University Food Literacy and Engagement Poll measures consumer knowledge and opinions on food-related issues.

Preparing residents for homeownership

Michigan State University Extension’s homeownership education helps homeowners make informed decisions by discussing advantages of homeownership and steps in the homebuying process.

Providing PFAS risk assessment and education

PFAS has been detected at 34 Michigan sites in 17 counties (as of July 2018), and in some cases high levels of PFAS has seeped into drinking water.

Solving critical plant agriculture problems for 20 years

For 20 years, Project GREEEN has been a catalyst for linking researchers and outreach specialists with commodity organizations, growers and the state of Michigan to solve critical plant agriculture problems.

Developing citizen science programs through Michigan Sea Grant

Recreational and commercial fisheries are a vital part of Michigan’s heritage, with fisheries valued up to $7 billion annually. Michigan Sea Grant developed several citizen science programs for anglers.

Empowering people with key financial education

MSU Extension offers several programs to assist individuals, households, organizations and communities to become more sustainable spenders through education focused on financial capability.

Building science literacy and future STEM professionals

To help create a future workforce excited about STEM careers and armed with important STEM skills, Michigan State University Extension has made science education a key focus of 4-H Youth Development programming.

Growing opportunities to learn about food processing learning on, off East Lansing campus

Michigan State University has received $4.4 million from the state of Michigan to renovate an on-campus food processing laboratory and create a new mobile food processing unit.

Providing critical Drill Conductor Training to state, tribal commercial fishers

Michigan Sea Grant provides training to help state and tribal Great Lakes commercial fishing vessel captains fulfill U.S. Coast Guard regulations related to instruction, drills and safety orientations, and onboard emergency instruction.

Fighting obesity and improving nutrition in Michigan communities

Michigan State University Extension provides programs that focus on helping people gain the knowledge the need to buy and prepare nutritious, budget-friendly foods.

Saving veterans and bees with Heroes to Hives program

In 2016, Michigan State University Extension introduced the Heroes to Hives (H2H) program to support veteran wellness through professional training and community development centered on beekeeping.

Educating Michigan youth about the dairy industry

Thumb Dairy Odyssey Days was created with help from a Huron County 4-H member to educate area youth who want to learn more about agriculture and careers in the dairy industry.

Continuing to bear fruit: MSU AgBioResearch scientist’s blueberry varieties

The blueberry varieties developed by Michigan State University AgBioResearch fruit breeder James Hancock continue to have a significant impact on the blueberry industry in both Michigan and around the world.

Increasing consumer agriculture literacy from farm to table

Michigan State University Extension works to improve this disparity with programs such as Breakfast on the Farm, which provides an open door for consumers to learn about modern food production and meet the local farmers who produce it.