MSU Extension Lenawee County

Message from the District Director- Mary Bohling

The long-lived, steadfast oak trees found throughout Michigan can live between 100 to 600 years. To thrive, the oak does more than endure change; the oak embraces it by making the necessary adjustments to maintain the lives it supports as well as prepare for new growth. Change is inevitable. Embracing it can lead to growth, resilience,  and transformation. MSU Extension is no exception.

Throughout our 153-year history, we’ve seen lots of changes to our programs, and because of your support, we continue to bring you quality information, whether we must alter the format, content, or the method in which we bring it to you. In 2025, the National SNAP-Ed Program ended. That meant that we had to say goodbye to nearly 100 colleagues and friends here in Michigan. MSUE and families across Michigan felt the loss of the SNAP-Ed Program deeply. But like the mighty oak, MSUE is adapting to the change and continuing to share research-based information through a variety of other programs.

Our resilient staff are working hard to identify emerging issues and ways that we can provide value in the communities we serve. We are seeing individuals and families being strengthened by our health programs for chronic diseases, fall prevention, parenting, and food safety. Adults in various stages of their lives are participating in homeownership and financial webinars such as “Thriving on a Fixed Income” and “Mortgage Foreclosure Basics.”  Farmers and gardeners are benefiting from our programs on disease prevention, invasive species, and nutrient and waste management. Youth are participating in programs such as 4-H, financial literacy, and special interests that make them “Beyond Ready” for their future.

Groups such as non-profits, corporations, and governmental agencies also benefit from Extension’s various educational opportunities. Entire departments in non-profits have taken mental health first aid training. Municipalities are leveraging science-based data on housing, tourism, and data centers from community and economic development tools to assist them in making decisions about how to shape their communities.

Whatever training or information you need to thrive in a changing world, whether you want virtual or in-person programming, it’s very likely that, Extension Does That!

Key Data Points:

4,804 participants from the county attending programs

1,169 4-H enrolled youth

28 Ask Extension questions answered

337 Lenawee Volunteers

17 community coalitions within the county that MSU Extension employees are members of

3,457 participants from the county attending programs.

450 programs (across the state) attended by participants from this county.

3 Nutrition and Physical Activity Policy System and Environmental sites receiving PSE education within the county.

10 policy, systems, and environmental changes with those PSE sites

172 client consultations

480,857 Lenawee contacts through social media, web activity, e-newsletters, and handouts

72,517 participants in community, food, and environment programs from across Michigan, Statewide

7 businesses/ food products created

4,534 MI Stronger Family Online Participants Statewide and beyond

476 virtual programs related to Financial Education, Food Systems, Water and Environmental Quality, Government and Businesses

$246.5 BILLION annual impact of food and agriculture on Michigan’s economy

136 participants in county agriculture programs.

1,169 4-H youth enrollments

$11,077.19 4-H volunteer hour value

3,828 total youth participants

337 total volunteers

210 Lenawee residents participating in Food Safety programs including ServSafe

467 nutrition and physical activity participants hosted in-county

624 county residents who participated in health and nutrition programs

Chart on page 4 Title: 2025 4-H Needs Assessment Survey
Text: A total of 659 individuals participated in the statewide survey, including 295 parents/guardians, 231 volunteers, and 37 youth, representing 61 counties. 96 youth participated in dot voting at events.

Title over chart: Top- Priority Life Skills by Percentage
Bar Chart shows Life skills youth want to learn more about:
64% Basic first aid
66% Cooking and meal planning
67% Fixing things around the house
77% Understanding Money & budget