Arenac County program highlights 2017
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EmailMSU Extension support family health and nutrition, empowers youth, promotes agriculture, educates about fish, engages youth in science and much more.
Family Health & Nutrition
Health outcomes in the County Health Rankings represent measures of how long people live and how healthy people feel. According to the 2018 County Health Rankings Report, Arenac County ranks 80 of 83. MSU Extension offers programs to help improve this statistic such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed). 295 Arenac residents participated in SNAP-Ed in 2017. Also offered are programs like Healthy Harvest, coaching & education for eligible child care providers, Cooking Matters, and Food Preservation & Safety classes.
Empowering Arenac Youth
From 4-H to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) Programs to livestock auctions and mock interviews, MSU Extension provides learning opportunities that help prepare youth for work, especially for jobs in STEAM.
“...when I was involved in 4-H clubs several years ago, I had no idea the impact this would have on my life. I grew as a leader, communicator, citizen and person…” - 4-H Alumna
Sixty-three percent of Arenac County 4-H seniors graduating between 2012 and 2017 enrolled in college after high school, while 57.1 percent of 18-24 year olds in the region did so.
Agriculture & Agribusiness
During the past year in Arenac County, MSU Extension provided farm support and agricultural education through individual consultation, workshops, research opportunities, evaluation of practices, articles and training for employees. Topics included field crop & pest management, basic Extension Master Gardener training, organic soybean and farm education, northern Michigan Small Farms Conference, hop and barley education and training on Bovine leukemia virus in cattle. Over 40 Arenac County residents attended, participated or consulted in these programs.
Regional Fisheries Workshops
Four Lake Huron Regional Fisheries Workshops took place in 2017. In the Saginaw Bay region, more than 250 anglers, charter captains and others came together with fisheries researchers and managers from across Michigan. Participants gained better understanding of Lake Huron fisheries ecosystem changes, how people are interacting with and affect these resources including fishing trends, management issues and more. Through this workshop, Arenac County residents are able to connect with the research and management activities related to Lake Huron and the local community.
Engaging Youth in Science
Research demonstrates that young people who participate in positive youth development programs are significantly more likely to exhibit academic competence. In September of 2017, in partnership with the Arenac Conservation District, 157 Arenac County fifth graders attended a nine-station educational event at Goodroe Farms. MSU Extension hosted a station and presented education on Zoonotic diseases and the importance of using good biosecurity practices. This was done by providing two Animal Science Anywhere activities: Biosecurity Basics-pathogen bags and Diseases That Humans and Animals Share-Words You Need to Know cards.
Community Development
MSU Extension offers community engagement education such as Citizen Planner, Parliamentary Procedure, Public Policy, Local Current Government Issues and more. In 2017, many of these programs were available to and attended by Arenac residents via workshops, seminars, webinars, etc. These programs are open to everyone and often serve as a great resource for elected county and township officials.
