MSU Extension Kalkaska County

Message from Jennifer Berkey, District 3 Director:

I’m delighted to share the results of another successful year of partnership between Kalkaska County and Michigan State University (MSU) Extension. Because of your continued support, we’ve been able to make a difference in the lives of youth, families, businesses and communities. 

MSU Extension offers a broad range of research-based educational outreach to county residents. Over this past year, we’ve empowered families and individuals to live healthier lives, supported new and local businesses, created opportunities for youth leadership development and career exploration, helped farmers with business management and mental health, and much more. Our staff live and work alongside county residents, are rooted in community relationships and are responsive to community needs. 

We continue to provide our programs in a variety of spaces and delivery methods that are convenient for our participants to engage in and access. Our partnership with you makes this all possible. On behalf of the MSU Extension team serving Kalkaska County, thank you for another great year. We look forward to your continued support and hope you will be able to join us during one of our upcoming programs.  

2023-2024 Metrics

• 187 Programs accessed by residents
• 10,900 Reached by social media
• 1,706 Reached through programming
• 2,936 Reached indirectly

Northwest Michigan Orchard & Vineyard Show

The annual Northwest Michigan Orchard and Vineyard Show was another great success with over 310 tree fruit and wine grape producers in attendance and 48 vendor booths at the Grand Traverse Resort. Dr. Brent Black and members of his team from Utah State University (USU) joined us again to provide an update on the Specialty Crop Research Initiative project in collaboration with MSU on precision orchard management.
(To continue reading, download the full report.)

MSU Extension Master Gardener Program

In Kalkaska County, Extension Master Gardener volunteers reported 24 hours serving and leading multiple projects valued at $804. These hours were dedicated to educating residents, improving food security, and protecting the natural resources in Kalkaska County.
(To continue reading, download the full report.)

Farm Business Management

Tel-Farm

Farm Business Management educator Chris Bardenhagen assists farmers, businesses, families and individuals to improve lives and achieve goals through an educational process that applies management, production and economic knowledge to critical issues in our area. Working with 12 area farms, Chris helped farmers complete a business analysis using MSU Extension’s Tel-Farm Record system to manage their taxable income. 
(To continue reading, download the full report.)

Farm Stress

Managing Farm Stress Resources

Farming can be an incredibly unpredictable, dangerous, and stressful occupation. MSU Extension is committed to supporting agricultural professionals as they navigate tough times and make decisions that impact their families, livelihoods, operations, and farms. Combining farm business management guidance with mental and behavioral health expertise, MSU Extension’s team of more than 20dedicated professionals provides innovative resources and support to the agriculture community—from teletherapy and financial services to free online education and community presentations.
(To continue reading, download the full report.)

4-H

2023-2024 4-H Soccer

Our Kalkaska 4-H Youth Soccer program continues to grow! The 2023-2024 season saw 80 youth, ages five-ten years old, participating on nine teams. The Kalkaska County soccer fields were buzzing with activity Monday through Friday throughout the fall and spring seasons for practices and were packed with spectators for games on Saturdays.
(To continue reading, download the full report.)

2024 4-H Archery

Kalkaska 4-H Archery Club was a success again this year, with 25 youth participating in the club led by instructor Ray Farrier. Throughout the months of January and February, a dedicated group gathered weekly at Evergreen Bible Baptist Church. Participants engaged in hands-on learning, focusing on the proper handling of archery equipment and essential range rules. In addition to technical skills, the program emphasized important life skills such as patience, concentration, and goal setting.
(To continue reading, download the full report.)

2024 Maple Sugaring

4-H staff took students from Forest Area Community Schools in Kalkaska County out to the sugar bush this spring! 45 students from the high school and the SEEDS after school program took part in this experience, immersing themselves in the art of syrup making. This engaging program walked students through the entire process, from the initial step of tapping maple trees all the way to bottling the finished syrup.
(To continue reading, download the full report.)

2024 4-H Livestock

The 2024 Kalkaska County Fair featured many returning participants and first-time exhibitors, showcasing the county's pride in supporting 57 youth exhibitors with over 202 individual entries in categories including swine, sheep, cattle, rabbits, and poultry. 4-H youth participated in multiple classes, competing in both market and showmanship events.
(To continue reading, download the full report.)

Nutrition & Physical Activity

Kalkaska Public Schools

Birch Street Elementary’s second grade and preschool classrooms participated in monthly Show Me Nutrition’s age-appropriate nutrition and physical activity lessons. Students learned about the five food groups, how their bodies use the food they eat, the importance of getting at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily and explored tasting a variety of foods. More than 150 youth were reached through these lessons.
(To continue reading, download the full report.)

Senior Project Fresh

MSU Extension served close to 125 older adults in partnership with Kalkaska Commission on Aging and District Health Department #10 through a program called Senior Project Fresh. This program’s goal is to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and decrease the risk of preventable chronic disease while also supporting local agriculture.
(To continue reading, download the full report.)

Discover Michigan Fresh

Nutrition education was available at the farmer’s market this year through a program called Moms & Tots Partnership Discover Michigan Fresh. This program focuses on highlighting benefits of eating local produce and showcasing preparation ideas. A few highlighted foods include radishes, cherries, corn and zucchini.
(To continue reading, download the full report.)

Policy, System, and Environmental Changes

Nutrition education is just the first step in creating healthy communities. Environments and policy must also align with educational messages. This effort to create supportive environments and policy often takes the longest time to accomplish, but is the most impactful for residents. Currently, MSU Extension is engaged in a significant project aimed at enhancing mobility and addressing safety concerns within Kalkaska. This project, called Kalkaska Walkability Action Initiative is in its second year of implementation and involves a dedicated team of local representatives. This collaborative effort aims to implement a “road diet” that will reduce traffic speeds and improve pedestrian safety along the main stretch of downtown Kalkaska.
(To continue reading, download the full report.)

Product Center

MSU Product Center Business Development

The MSU Product Center hosted a marketing workshop at the Great Lakes Incubator Farm (GLIF) in Traverse City.  After a presentation, beginning farmers applied their new knowledge to decipher marketing signals from real food brands in a facilitated discussion.
(To continue reading, download the full report.)

Northern Michigan Counties Association

Northern Michigan Counties Association (NMCA) includes Kalkaska County and exists as a local forum for commissioners and administrators to learn about and discuss topics of particular interest or concern to county government in the northern lower peninsula.  Approximately 30 counties in the northern lower peninsula are members and participate regularly.
(To continue reading, download the full report.)