MSU Extension Agriculture

Key Programming Impacts

Michigan State University (MSU) Extension educators work with farms of all sizes to positively impact individual farming operations. When individual operations do well, their success helps to fuel state and local economies.

• 66,154 participants in MSU Extension agriculture and agribusiness related programs.
• 180,000 subscribers to agriculture and agribusiness related MSU Extension News Digests.
• 999 programs provided by in MSU Extension agriculture and agribusiness educators. 
• 748 news articles published on the MSU Extension website, in addition to 126 bulletins and fact sheets.

Reaching People Where They Are

Michigan is agriculturally diverse both in what we produce and who produces it. MSU Extension goes beyond traditional methods of working with farmers with a strategy to reach farms at every level and size of production. We understand that some farmers may not be able to meet in person due to distance or timing of an educational offering, so we incorporate a vast array of online learning and digital informational opportunities to meet people both where they are and when they have the time to consume information integral to their farming success. In the past year, we have reached audiences in a variety of ways.

71% In-Person Events
20% Webinars
4% Hybrid
5% Online Courses

Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL)

MSU Extension’s ERAIL provides training and resources for local governments and law enforcement to keep travelers, animals and our food supply secure when dealing with accidents involving livestock. Standard response vehicles do not have animal containment and handling equipment, so MSU Extension initially supplied three response trailers with this equipment. Since then, a partnership with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development helped place additional response trailers. Today, a total of nine trailers are placed throughout Michigan that help responders keep animals and humans safe while clearing the roadway.

• 9 Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock trailers placed throughout Michigan

Helping Producers Navigate Markets and Manage Risk

Weather events, price volatility and shifting input costs can affect profitability, making it difficult for Michigan producers to plan effectively. Without clear, current information, producers risk financial losses and missed opportunities to strengthen their operations. MSU Extension’s Farm Policy and Risk Management Series helps farmers better understand marketing conditions, insurance options and Farm Bill commodity program decisions. A recent report, “Assessing the Impacts of the Loss of Specialty Crops in Michigan,” analyzed the economic contribution of the sector in Michigan to better understand the challenges these industries are facing.

• 475 views of “Assessing the Impacts of the Loss of Specialty Crops in Michigan” web page

MSU Extension Soil Testing Program

Soil nutrient testing provides insight into the condition of the soil and how well it can supply the nutrients that plants need to thrive. MSU Extension provides personalized recommendations for fertilizers and soil amendments through our soil testing program. Demand for soil testing through MSU Extension is strong, with 1,357 commercial and 4,801 home lawn and garden soil tests analyzed in 2025.

• 4,801 home lawn and garden soil tests analyzed
• 1,357  commercial soil tests analyzed

Specialty Cut Flower Farm Tour Series

Specialty cut flower production continues to grow as an emerging agricultural sector in Michigan, now ranking eighth in the nation with over $10 million in annual sales. Many new growers enter the industry without formal agricultural training, creating a need for accessible, practical education. To meet this need, MSU Extension has developed a coordinated set of programs to support growers at all stages.
The Specialty Cut Flower Farm Tour Series offers on-farm learning experiences where participants engage directly with successful growers and Extension educators. Across the 2024 and 2025 seasons, 88 growers from 31 Michigan counties and four states participated in these programs, with 89% reporting an increase in their cut flower know-how and 87% indicating plans to adopt new practices.

• 89% growers reported increasing their cut flower knowledge
• 87% growers plan to adopt new practices

Ask Extension and the Lawn and Garden Hotline

Michigan residents can receive expert, research-based answers to their questions through MSU Extension’s online Ask Extension system. In 2025, Extension staff and trained Master Gardener volunteers responded to 6,033 questions from residents in 83 counties on topics ranging from gardening and landscaping to family, business and community.

The Michigan Lawn and Garden Hotline provides additional statewide support via a toll-free number. In 2025, the hotline received 1,412 calls. Both services ensure residents have accessible, science-based guidance to support healthier gardens, homes and communities.

• 6,033 Ask Extension questions answered from residents in 83 counties
• 1,412 Michigan Lawn and Garden Hotline calls received from Michigan residents

Field Crops Virtual Breakfast

Since 2018, the Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series has provided timely crop and pest management information to field crop producers and agronomists for 26 weeks during the growing season when important decisions are made. Participants hear weekly crop and pest updates, detailed weather updates and forecasts, earn pesticide recertification credits and have ample opportunity to ask questions. Sessions are accessed through participating live via Zoom, listening to podcast recordings, viewing YouTube video recordings or Facebook livestreams. In 2025, 5,556 participants attended the live sessions. The series also garnered more than 10,342 YouTube views, 1,311 podcast views and additional views off social media and the MSU Extension website. The live sessions reached participants in 19 states and nine countries in addition to those from 61 Michigan counties. The 238 surveyed participants of the program indicated they planned to make changes, producing a projected additional cost savings or income of $715,438 in 2025.

• 10,342 YouTube views of Field Crops Virtual Breakfast
• $715,412 cost savings based on changes 238 surveyed participants indicated they planned
  to make

CONTACT: Ron Bates, Director, MSU Extension Agriculture and Agribusiness, batesr@msu.edu