MSU Extension Fall Extension Conference

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.  

MSU Extension Leadership Team Meeting

MSUFCU Abbot Road location  - Community Room (311 Abbott Road, East Lansing, MI 48823)

Corniche

7:45 a.m.

General Breakfast

Big Ten ABC

9-10 a.m.

Welcome and Director's Update
Dr. Quentin Tyler

Big Ten ABC

10-10:15 a.m.

Transition Time

10:15-11:45 a.m.

1. AI Workshop - Ron Southwick
2. Core Skills for Resilience in Challenging Times - Lisa Laughman
3. Everyday Actions That Matter: Bystander Intervention in Practice - Lydia Weiss, LaShondra Hemphill
4. LIVE, It’s Intro to PEARS Events! - Shelby Warner, Renae Siler
5. Navigating the Grant Process: A Conversation with Grant Experts - Sarah Grubb Dennis Shubitowski, Sarah Faubert, Deb Richardson
6. Out of Scope, Not Out of Mind: Navigating Multiple Priorities (and people) in a Positive Way - Makena Neal
7. Preparedness by Design: Integrating Readiness into Your Extension Programs - Katie Ockert, Mike Metzger
8. Story Circles: A Method for Deep Connection - MSU Transforming Theatre Ensemble
9. Teaching Science when you Don't Know Diddly Squat - Darren Bagley, Robin McGuire, Joe Kreider
10. What’s Possible? Using the Community Change Hub to Amplify Impact - Erin Moore, James Monahan, Sarah Eichberger

1. Auditorium
2. Room 106

3. Conference Room 62


4. Room 105AB

5. Michigamme Room



6. Lincoln Room



7. Conference Room 61



8. Heritage Room


9. Room 103 AB


10. Room 104 AB

11:45 a.m. - Noon

Transition Time

Noon-1:30 p.m.

Lunch and Awards Presentation

Big Ten ABC

1:30-1:45 p.m. 

Transition Time

1:45-5:15 p.m. 

Workshops on the Move (Optional)

• Building Bridges: Extension's Role in Public Engagement and Policy
• Cultivating Relationships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous Communities
• From Farm to Market: Exploring Michigan's Local Food Journey
• Growing the Future: Experiencing MSU's New Dairy, Greenhouse, and Pollinator Centers
• One Health in Action: Connecting Human, Animal, and Environmental Health at MSU

All Workshops on the Move participants
will meet at the front entrance at the Kellogg Center. From there, groups will board buses.
Please plan to board the bus no later than 1:35 p.m. 

1:45-2:45 p.m. 

Breakout #2

1. Fast & Furious: PEARS Events Features - Shelby Warner, Renae Siler
2. Flip the Script: Tackling Rumors and Gossip with Confidence - Christine Heverly, Laurie Rivetto
3. Food on the Table: U.S. Nutrition Programs and the Cost of Eating Well - Leah Costlow
4. Get Ready, Get Set, Build Wealth - Erica Tobe, Jinnifer Ortquist, Teagen Lefere, Carrie Grishaber, Renae Johnson, Ana Pena, Ezra Pompos, Nicole Knight
5. Let’s Get Social: Simple Ways To Share Your Work - Chelsea Dickens, Becky McKendry
6. Listening with Presence - Stewart Givens, Lindsey Gardner (Two-part presentation - covers Breakout #2 and #3) 
7. Race to Learn: Interactive 4-H Programming - Stephanie Domke
8. Rooted in Community: Strategies for Supporting School and Community Gardens - Kelly McClelland, Barslund Judd

2:45-3 p.m. 

Transition Time 

3-4 p.m. 

Breakout #3

1. Beyond the Table: Strategies for Meaningful Engagement at Community Events & Resource Fairs - Kellie Kieren, Kelsey Bockelman
2. Climate Adaptation in Action: Tools, Communication, and Extension Strategies - Jackie Perkins, Cheyenne Sloan
3. Everything DiSC Workplace Profile - Kathie Elliott (Two-part presentation - covers Breakout #3 and #4) 
4. Finding Common Ground: Building Trust with Urban Farmers Workshop - Mariel Borgman, Garrett Ziegler, Kelly McClelland 
5. Listening with Presence - Stewart Givens, Lindsey Gardner (Two-part presentation - covers Breakout #2 and #3) 
6. PEARS Events: Expert Mode - Shelby Warner, Renae Siler
7. The Art of Organized Chaos: 4-H Clinics and Workshops - David Lindsay, Kendra VanOrder
8. Walking Alongside A Volunteer’s Unique Journey - Christine Heverly, Laurie Rivetto

1. Auditorium



2. Lincoln Room



3. Michigamme Room



4. Conference Room 62



5. Heritage Room



6. Room 105AB

7. Room 104AB


8. Room 103AB

4-4:15 p.m. 

Transition Time 

4:15-5:15 p.m. 

Breakout #4

1. 4-H Tech Changemakers in Chippewa County: Building Digital Skills and Introducing AI Across Extension Programs - Maggie Merchberger, Erin Daines
2. A Completely Reasonable Professional Development Session - Remington Rice
3. Best Waze to Use PEARS Events: Getting Right to the Point - Shelby Warner, Renae Siler
4. Building Our Own Table: A Toolkit for Transformative Cooperative Extension Food Sovereignty Partnerships that Center Black Women Leadership - Mariel Borgman, Garrett Ziegler
5. Coaching Without the Title: Influencing Up and Across - Kristi Evans
6. Conflict to Collaboration: Leading Strong Personalities in Volunteer Programs - Jennifer Weichel
7. Everything DiSC Workplace Profile - Kathie Elliott (Two-part presentation - covers Breakout #3 and #4) 
8. How Hosting a Foreign Exchange Student Taught Me to Be a Better MSU Extension Educator - Nicole Ritchie

1. Room 104AB




2. Lincoln Room


3. Room 104AB


4. Conference Room 62





5. Auditorium


6. Room 103AB


7. Michigamme



8. Heritage Room

5:15-5:45 p.m. 

Transition Time

MSU Extension Celebration and Networking Reception
Intern Poster Displays
Presentation of the Key Partner and ESP Friend of Extension Awards

Big Ten ABC

8-10 p.m.

Social Activities (Optional)
1. Music Bingo

2. Trivia 

Additional Games and Socializing
• Play cards or board games,
connect with colleagues, or
simply relax and enjoy informal
conversation and activities. 

Big Ten ABC

Lincoln Room

7:30-9 a.m.

General Breakfast

Big Ten ABC

9-10:30 a.m.

10:30-10:45 a.m.

Transition Time 

10:45-11:45 a.m. 

Breakout #5

1. 1 Year, 4 Quarters, 52 Weeks, 365 Days: Planning for Success in 2027 - Tyler Augst
2. Creativity Isn’t Just for “Creative People” - James Monahan
3. Elements of Effective Feedback: Praise, Criticism, and Self-Esteem - Courtney Aldrich    
4. Gray for a Day: Experiencing Aging through a New Lens - Christi Demitz
5. Learning from the Field: Extension Needs Assessment Approaches, Challenges, and Lessons Learned - Mary Reilly, Kathy Fischer, Teresa Crook, Jenna Falor
6. Place-Based Education: Informing our MSUE Mission and Work - Meaghan Gass, Darren Bagley
7. Planning Full Day Events: Strategies for Success - Lindsey Kerr, Melanie Fuhrmann
8. Presenting the Conservation Stewards and Michigan Naturalist Programs! - Julie Crick, Bindu Bhakta
9. Teaching for Learner Variability: Supporting Neurodiverse Learners in Extension Settings - Anne Baker 
10. Yes, Extension Does That! Becoming a Strong Ambassador for MSU Extension - Becky McKendry

1. Room 106

2. Lincoln Room

3. Room 104AB

4. Conference
Room 62
5. Michigamme



6. Conference
Room 61

7. Room 105AB


8. Heritage Room


9. Room 103AB

10. Auditorium

11:45 a.m. - Noon

Transition Time

Noon-1:30 p.m.

Lunch and Awards Presentation

Big Ten ABC

1:30-2:30 p.m.

Lunch and Keynote Presentation
The Hope of Change Agents - Kiyanna Cox Jones

Big Ten ABC

2:30-2:45 p.m. 

Closing Remarks