MSU Extension Ontonagon County

A message from the District Director

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 accessing healthier foods and local communities discovering ways to boost economic impact. The possibilities for making an impact with Extension are endless. Through partnerships, we can create exponential ripples that change the lives of our neighbors, family, and friends. For over 100 years, MSU 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 could create on its own. I have been with MSU Extension for ten years, serving as a district director in the Western and Central Upper Peninsula. As I continue in this role, I look forward to exploring new ways to collaborate with our partners to create ripples of impact across Ontonagon County and beyond.
- Paul Putnam, District 1 Director

Impact at a glance

• 89 extension programs included Ontonagon County residents
• 696 Ontonagon County residents attended extension programs
• 25 Extension educators, specialists, and program staff reported data for Ontonagon County
• 10 county direct one-to-one education contacts
• 37 Extension programs held in the county
• 559 people attended programs held in the county
• 43 youth enrolled in county 4-H 
• 608 youth participants