College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

Over the next few months, the Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) will be offering a wide range of educational and enjoyable precollege activities for youth.

March 20-23 -- 4-H Capitol Experience is an annual four-day conference that focuses on civic engagement and public policy. Participants interact with legislators, state agency staff members, lobbyists and other resource people to learn how policy is made. For more information, visit http://4h.msue.msu.edu/events/4-h_capitol_experience.

April 9 -- Vet-A-Visit is the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine's annual open house. The college is proud to show off state-of-the-art facilities while teaching guests about the fascinating world of veterinary medicine. See http://cvm.msu.edu/alumni-friends/vetavisit.

April 16 -- Small Animals Day is sponsored by the CANR Student Senate. Milk a cow, hold a baby chick and pet other animals. More information is available at http://www.canr.msu.edu/events/small_animals_day_1.

May 12 – World Food Prize Michigan Youth Institute is a one-day event where high school youth present research and recommendations on how to solve global challenges in short speeches and small group discussions. They connect with other student leaders to identify solutions to these problems and interact with global leaders, take part in educational sessions and interactive panels, and meet researchers, professors and college students in Michigan working to end hunger and poverty and improve food security around the world. More information is at http://msue.anr.msu.edu/program/info/wfpmiyi.

June 22-24-- 4-H Exploration Days involves students in learning sessions and other activities to gain life skills such as responsibility, confidence, independence, accountability, problem solving, decision-making and time management. Visit http://4h.msue.msu.edu/events/4-h_exploration_days.

June 27-July 1 -- Michigan 4-H Animal and Veterinary Science Camp is a five-day program where youth will explore fields relating to animals and veterinary medicine, and take part in numerous hands-on learning activities. Participants will gain animal-handling experience and  visit and explore MSU farms and facilities. For details, visit http://4h.msue.msu.edu/events/4-h_animal_and_veterinary_science_camp.

June 28-30 -- Grandparents University allows grandparents and grandchildren to enjoy the college experience of living in residence halls, attending classes across campus and sampling the many highlights of MSU. Information is at http://www.grandparents.msu.edu/.

June 27-July 1 -- 4-H Renewable Energy Camp is a five-day event that allows campers to explore ideas, research and opportunities in the field of energy as it relates to agriculture and natural resources. Students engage in learning experiences at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Carbon Green BioEnergy, wind farms, MSU research laboratories and the MSU Power Plant. For details, visit http://4h.msue.msu.edu/events/4_h_renewable_energy_camp.

July 10-15 -- ANR Institute for Multicultural Students (AIMS) is a one-week program that gives high school students broad exposure to the food and agricultural sciences, natural resources and related fields. During the participants’ stay on campus, they take part in demonstrations, tours and other hands-on activities designed to give them a sampling of what agriculture and natural resources has to offer. For more information, visit http://www.canr.msu.edu/pre_college/anr_institute_for_multicultural_students_aims.

July 10-15 – Michigan Indian Leadership Program (MILP) is a one-week summer experience that gives Native American youth the opportunity to experience college life and explore the many exciting educational opportunities available at MSU. For details, visit http://www.canr.msu.edu/pre_college/pre-college_leadership_program.

June 19-July 29-- Multicultural Apprenticeship Program (MAP) is a six-week program that gives high school students the opportunity to experience college life and to explore the many exciting educational and career opportunities in the agricultural and food sciences, natural resources and related fields. Check it out at http://www.canr.msu.edu/pre_college/multicultural_apprenticeship_program_map.

July 24-29 -- ANR Institute for Multicultural Students -- Bilingual (AIMS-B) offers the same opportunities as the AIMS program, but AIMS-B is offered to bilingual students, particularly students with a migrant background. Find more information at http://www.canr.msu.edu/pre_college/anr_institute_for_multicultural_students-_bilingual_aims-b.

July 31-Aug. 6 -- Michigan 4-H Great Lakes and Natural Resources Camp lets campers, both 4-H members and nonmembers, enjoy all the usual fun camp activities and also learn about science in interesting, hands-on ways. For more information, visit http://4h.msue.msu.edu/events/glnrc.

Visit these places on the MSU campus with the kids:

The MSU Dairy Plant makes and packages delicious ice creams and cheeses, which are sold in the Dairy Store. The plant is equipped with a state-of-the-art processing system. More information is at http://dairystore.msu.edu/.

The 4-H Children's Garden is full of fun things to do, such as finding lamb's ear and feeling the leaves, sitting on the sheep and having someone take your picture, checking out the Pizza Garden, finding and smelling chocolate mint, going over the Monet Bridge, wandering through the Alice in Wonderland Maze, dancing on the dance chimes and having a great time! Visit  http://4hgarden.cowplex.com/ for a preview.

The MSU Bug House features insects and learning. In addition to viewing the amazing pinned displays, visitors can interact with a whole room of insects, including walking sticks and tarantulas. Check it out at http://www.ent.msu.edu/bughouse.

Find all summer program and camp information at www.canr.msu.edu/pre_college or Spartan Youth! To request a copy of a poster with all these activities listed, email Pauline Tobias, interim director of CANR undergraduate diversity, at tobiasog@msu.edu.