Extension and AgBioResearch Council
Photograph from the MSU Extension and AgBioResearch 2015 Fall Meeting in Paw Paw, Mich.
Michigan State University Extension and MSU AgBioResearch link the issues of concern in local communities with the research and teaching at the state’s land grant university.
A network for organized citizen input at the local and state levels enhances that linkage. County Extension councils identify and prioritize issues, seek collaborations and resources, and communicate to others the importance of Extension’s educational programming. Advisory councils help establish research priorities at the state’s 14 AgBioResearch centers located throughout the state.
The MSU Extension and AgBioResearch Council serves as a liaison between county councils, field station advisory groups and state agencies and organizations. Members are able to communicate to others (policymakers, organizations and agencies, university administrators, etc.) the importance of the educational programming and the applied research from Michigan’s land grant university.
The MSU Extension and AgBioResearch Council was founded in 1998 to help Michigan State University Extension and the AgBioResearch link the issues of concern in local communities with the research and teaching at the state's land grant university.
2017 MSU Extension and AgBioResearch State Council Members
Extension Council Members
Joe Bonovetz
MSU Extension District 1: Baraga, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon
Email: joecarl381@gmail.com
Doug Bovin
MSU Extension District 2: Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Luce, Mackinac, Schoolcraft
Email: bonniebovin@hotmail.com
Bernie Ware
MSU Extension District 3: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee
Email: warefarm@centurytel.net
VACANT
MSU Extension District 4: Alcona, Arenac, Crawford, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Roscommon
Bill Anderson
MSU Extension District 5: Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana
Email: banderson38@charter.net
Katherine Methner
MSU Extension District 6: Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, Mecosta, Missaukee, Osceola
Email: kmethner@michworks4u.org
Nora Balgoyen-Williams
MSU Extension District 7: Allegan, Kent, Ottawa
Email: nbalgoyen@itctransco.com
Sandy Dargatz
MSU Extension District 8: Barry, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Montcalm
Email: sdargatz@ingham.org
Omar Sims
MSU Extension District 9: Bay, Genesee, Midland, Shiawassee
Email: omarsims@gmail.com
Carl Osentoski
MSU Extension District 10: Lapeer, Huron, Sanilac, St. Clair, Tuscola
Email: carl@huroncounty.com
Joie West
MSU District 11: Macomb
Email: west.joie@gmail.com
A.C. Alrey
MSU District 11: Oakland
Email: acalrey@msu.edu
Julie Walker
MSU District 11: Wayne
Email: munich0567@aol.com
Londa Pickles
MSU District 12: Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston
Email: londa@gurdjian.com
Dionisio Sanchez
MSU District 13: Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Van Buren
Email: sanchezdbbcmw@gmail.com
Brad Jensen
MSU District 14: Alpena, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Montmorency, Ostego, Presque Isle
Email: brad@huronpines.org
AgBioResearch Council Members
Mary Kelpinski
Email: kelpinski@mipork.org
John Mossner
Email: jcmossner@hotmail.com
Jim Nugent
Email: jimnugent6@gmail.com
Member-at-large
Gary Voogt
Email: gcvoogt@gmail.com
Mark Torregrossa
Email: markt@speednetllc.com
Diane Smith
Email: diane@michiganapples.com
Thomas Voigts
Email: tvoigts@frontier.com
Steve Yanni
Email: syanni@bmcc.edu
Council for Agriculture, Research, Extension and Teaching (CARET)
Doug Lewis
Email: decowboy@umich.edu
Glenn Preston
Email: glennandsuzy@gmail.com
Char Wenham
Email: cwenham@woodstaffing.com
Resources
Meeting Resources
Contact
If you have any questions about Extension and AgBioResearch Council, please contact Jennifer Kiser, program assistant, at kiserjen@msu.edu or 517-353-9464.
Jeff Dwyer, MSU Extension Director
Dru Montri, Director of Governmental Affairs and Stakeholder Relations for the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Doug Buhler, AgBioResearch Director