MSU Extension Mackinac County

Message from the district director

Mother Teresa once said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters and
create many ripples.” Michigan State University (MSU) Extension is a catalyst for creating a lasting impact that
ripples across the Upper Peninsula, the state, and beyond. Our programs reach all audiences and age groups.
From youth learning essential life skills and farmers exploring ways to increase efficiency and effectiveness, to
older adults being able to access healthier foods and local communities discovering ways to increase
economic impact. The possibilities of making an impact with MSU Extension are endless.

Through partnerships we can produce exponential ripples to change the lives of our neighbors, family, and
friends. For over a century, Extension’s goal has been to “bring knowledge to life.” By connecting with
organizations and agencies across the U.P., we bring the knowledge and research from Michigan State
University to our communities and empower them to improve their lives. Alone we can cast a small stone to
create ripples. Together our stone grows to produce a larger impact than any one organization can create
themselves.

Having worked with Extension for nine years—first as a health educator focused on improving the health and
nutrition of community members, and now as a district director in the Eastern Upper Peninsula—I continue to
serve our communities. I look forward to exploring new ways to collaborate with our partners as we create
ripples of impact across Luce County and beyond.

Erin Daines, district 2 director

Impact data:

• 77 Extension programs included Mackinac County residents
• 350 Mackinac County residents attended Extension programs
• 1,048 participants in Mackinac County attended in-person programming
• 129 in-person SNAP-Ed participation in 2023
• 16 Extension programs in the county
• 721 people attended programs held in the county
• 22 Extension educators, specialists and program staff reported data for Mackinac County
• 16 county direct one-to-one education contacts
• 19 'Ask Extension' questions answered for Mackinac County
• 7,470 questions answered across the state
• 47 youth enrolled in county 4-H
• 664 youth participants in programming