MSU Extension Livable Communities

• Cultivating local farm economies

  Published on April 21, 2021
  Farm viability requires flexibility, innovation in local government planning and zoning to allow for farm income diversification.

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  First-time visitor perspectives become the catalysts needed to spawn change just in time for the novel coronavirus pandemic

  Published on January 29, 2021
  City of Laingsburg, MI acts on tourism assessment results, which helps prepare them for unpredictable changes related to the pandemic, downtown business, and web presence.

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  Sustainable Living and Leadership Series launched by three land-grant universities

  Published on January 22, 2021
  Multi-topic series explores sustainability actions for home and community.

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  What’s in a planning commission’s annual report?

  Published on November 6, 2020
  The annual report is a requirement of all local government planning commissions and is an opportunity to provide the community and elected officials with a review of planning commission activities and achievements.

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  Why did the chicken (and cow and pig) cross the county?

  Published on September 11, 2020
  A guide for local officials addresses barriers for needed livestock processing in Southeast Michigan

• Life-cycle models can help tourism destinations chart a path to sustainability

  Published on August 7, 2020
  Can a life-cycle model help a destination understand tourism development and plan its future?  The answer is: yes.

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  Annual entrepreneurship conference provides solutions to rural communities in advance of pandemic

  Published on July 21, 2020
  City of Alma, Mich. adopts rural connectivity solution in advance of the pandemic allowing students to access the web while being confined to learning from home.

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  Rural tourism opportunities increase in Tuscola County, Mich. from first-time visitor assessment program

  Published on June 17, 2020
  Opportunities increase for tourism from the first-time visitor assessment program.

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  Urban agriculture and agriculture-like sample zoning text available to local governments in Michigan

  Published on May 29, 2020
  Local government should encourage urban agriculture. But there needs to be proper safeguards and a consensus to balance agriculture activities without undesired impacts in the neighborhood.

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  Remember this when planning for great adult educational programs

  Published on May 5, 2020
  Focus on simple concepts to make a real difference in adult learning.