MSU Extension Isabella County

Message from the District Director

Once again, it is my pleasure to share the results of another successful year of partnership between Isabella County and Michigan State University (MSU) Extension. With your continued support, our team at MSU Extension has made a difference in the lives of youth, families, businesses, and Isabella County residents through our broad range of research-based educational programs and services!

In 2023, our MSU Extension team worked to empower families and individuals to live healthier lives, supported new and local businesses, created opportunities for youth development and career exploration, helped farmers with business management and mental health awareness, and much more. Our staff live and work alongside Isabella County residents, are rooted in community relationships, and are responsive to community needs.

Our partnership with you makes this all possible. On behalf of the MSU Extension team serving Isabella County, thank you for another great year. We look forward to your continued support and hope you’ll be able to join us during one of our upcoming programs.

Eric Karbowski
District Director

Impact Data

• 147 Extension programs held in Isabella County
• 3,353 people attended programs held in Isabella County
• 3,719 residents from Isabella County attended MSU Extension programs
• 406 programs with residents from Isabella County
• 31,100 reached through the 4-H Facebook page 

Health Education

MSU Extension offers the diabetes PATH (Personal Action Toward Health) program. This program is a six-week self-management workshop designed to help people take an active role in managing their diabetes. The PATH program meets the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Support Initiative criteria, a measure of high-quality programming.

One participant shared, “Both classes changed my life for the better because I now know that to have the kind of life I want to live, I must eat healthy and exercise. The two are like yin and yang. You can’t have one without the other. I feel like I have graduated from both classes. I feel confident going forward with how to live a healthy lifestyle.”

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention helps people with or without arthritis to improve balance, both mentally and physically, which helps significantly reduce the rate of falls experienced by older adults. Other benefits include improving relaxation, vitality, posture, and an improved immune system. Studies have shown that tai chi can reduce falls by nearly 70 percent. The program focuses on confidence building, which is linked closely to the reduced rate of falling.

Master Gardener Program

The MSU Extension Master Gardener Program is an adult horticulture and volunteer leader training program committed to improving science-based horticulture education to Isabella County residents. The Master Gardener Program trains, supports, and certifies MSU Extension Master Gardeners. The groups of Master Gardeners educate communities on research-based horticulture science and spearhead local community gardening projects.

“As a graduate of MSU and former intern with MSU Extension, I’m thrilled about the opportunity to serve our local community as the Master Gardener Program Instructor. My strong local relationships and vested commitment to support sound horticulture practices gets me excited for the future of the Master Gardener program in Isabella County.” - Danielle Schrock, Master Gardener Instructor

SNAP-Ed Updates

1,372 residents served in SNAP-Ed pr EFNEP programming

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education Program (SNAP-Ed) teaches participants how to establish healthy eating habits and increase their time spent being physically active while staying within a limited food budget.

MSU Extension SNAP-Ed nutrition instructors teach youth, teens, adults, and seniors how to make health a priority through an instructional series. The goal of the SNAP-Ed program is to increase the likelihood that those eligible for SNAP benefits will establish healthy eating habits and increase their time spent involved in physical activity while staying within their limited food budget.

“I just wanted to thank you for moderating this nutrition class. You made it fun! Your personality and energy makes it special –for old and young alike! I’m sure you’ve made an impact and helped improve the nutrition of many who truly need it.” –program participant

Dairy Education and Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock

Accidents involving livestock occur throughout Michigan and preparing first responders to effectively respond to these accidents is a goal of MSU Extension’s emergency response to accidents involving livestock (ERAIL) team. Cora Okkema is a member of the ERAIL team with MSU Extension which provides tools and resources to help animal control officers and first responders in Isabella County develop their skills in working with large animals. Often, first responders do not have experience working with large animals when responding to emergencies therefore, MSU Extension has assembled several tools and resources to help first responders during these unforeseen circumstances.

Field Crops Education

Agricultural production is a leading industry in Michigan and MSU Extension provides research-based field crop production recommendations and resources to producers in Isabella County.

Monica Jean is a Field Crops Educator who assists farmers with a variety of commodity production expertise including corn, soybean, edible dry beans, potato, and integrated crop and livestock systems through educational programs, fact sheets, bulletins, articles, and individual contacts. Jean also supports the agricultural community with cover crop, soil health, nutrient management, and cropping system research projects.

Financial Education

As a HUD-certified counseling agency, MSU Extension provides potential, current, and future home buyers with education about the obligations and responsibilities of purchasing a home. Teagen Lefere is a Financial Homeownership Instructor who works side-by-side with Isabella County residents to help them understand the complex home buying and renting process and teaches them the true costs of homeownership.

“Teagen, thank you so much for all of the help from the start and to the finish, with many phone calls and e-mails to you when needed, and keep up the wonderful work that you are doing because you are the very best at it! We need MIHAF, MSU, and HUD all collectively CLONE YOU so that you can help so many other Homeowners in the same situation as I have been in for the last two years.” –program participant

Food Safety Education

ServSafe is a nationally recognized certification program for those working in the food service industry that is provided by MSU Extension. Kara Lynch is a Food Safety Educator who is trained and credentialed to teach the ServSafe curriculum.

As part of her role, Lynch teaches Isabella County residents about foodborne illness, forms of contamination, food safety management systems, safe facilities & pest management, cleaning & sanitizing, and how to train employees about the latest food safety issues.

“Thank you very much for a great class. Excellent presentation, well organized, great discussions, nicely paced, interesting real-life stories. You’re a great ambassador for MSU and the Extension Service.”–program participant