MSU Extension Oceana County

A message from the District Director

I’m excited to share the results of another successful year of partnership between Oceana 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 services 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. Again, this year, we’ve welcomed Oceana County residents into our online community: we’ve offered online educational courses, answered questions on topics ranging from gardening to food safety, raised program awareness through social media, and provided a library of research-based resources they’ve browsed on our website. Our partnership with you makes this all possible. On behalf of the MSU Extension team serving Oceana 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.

Impact at a glance

• 15,362 program participants
• 1,592 Oceana County residents participated in programs offered by MSU Extension
• 241 programs attended in-county or online
• 5,378 office contacts
• 965 Oceana County youth at programs
• 53,868 social media reach
• 67 soil test-kits sold
• 504 Plat Books sold
• $26,877 sold by Oceana office 

Focus areas and programs

Agriculture

MSU Extension works to increase farmers’ success while protecting the environment, ensuring food safety, reaching new markets and advancing agriculture through applied research. Agriculture is now one of the fastest growing sectors of the Michigan economy.

• Loan prep for beginning farmers
• Succession Planning
• Pest and crop management update
• Backyard Fruit 101
• Field Crops webinar, Young Growers Tour
• Farm Stress, Farm Financial Analysis 
• Asparagus Day 
• Beekeepers Annual Conference
• Crop Scout School, Pruning Workshops 
• Pesticide Application Training
• Hop Chat & Beer State Conference

Environment

Our natural resources programs improve public understanding, help landowners and communities use those assets for sustainable long-term social and economic development and conserve natural resources for future generations.

• Intro to Lakes & Lakes Monitoring Program
• Midwest Stream Forum 
• Steelhead Fishery Workshop
• Lake MI Regional Fisheries Workshop
• Wild About Conservation 
• MI Birding 101 
• Lawn and Garden Hotline

Community 

Successful and thriving communities combine knowledgeable and engaged legislators, businesses, community groups and residents. By connecting these groups with the most trusted tools, MSU Extension helps enhance the quality of life in Michigan.

Citizen Planner
• Capital Asset and Management Training
 • Budgeting for Fiscal Sustainability
• Foreclosure Triage
• Product Center Counselling
• Rethinking Local Government budgeting
• Zoning Administrator Certification
• Opening Doors to Affordable Housing

Health & Nutrition

MSU Extension’s programming promotes healthy lifestyles and empowers Michigan residents to take control of their health. Participants learn how to build nutritious diets on a budget, reduce foodborne diseases and become leaders in the food industry.
• Nutrition Education at Daisy Brook, Grant Elementary, Pathfinder, Croton, Hesperia.
• Diabetes Education/Prevention
• Mindful Eating
• Cooking for Crowds.
• Mindful Moving
• Safe Food Healthy Kids
• ServSafe training
• Mental Health First Aid
• Cottage Food Law
• How to Start a food truck business
• Mental Health First Aid
• Feeding a Picky Eater

Family & Youth

Keeping Michigan families strong and successful—financially, emotionally and physically—is a big part of measuring MSU Extension’s success. Programs devoted to keeping families safe include those dealing with bullying and violence prevention.
• Powerful Tools for Caregivers
• Adulting 101- Wealth building
• Various 4-H Events
• Mindfulness for Children
• Positive Discipline
• County Fair Activities
• Relax: Alternatives to Anger
• Exploration Days on MSU Campus
• Citizenship Washington Focus

4-H in Oceana County

• 34 clubs
• 263 members
• 60 volunteers
• 6,100 volunteer hours