Kim and Carl Graham and Wayne County Farm Bureau receive MSU Extension 2020 Key Partner Award

MSU Extension Communications -

MSU Extension honored Jon Kim and Carl Graham and Wayne County Farm Bureau for their long-time support of MSU Extension and 4-H during the annual Fall Extension Conference held virtually on Sept. 29.

Michigan State University Extension awarded Kim and Carl Graham and Wayne County Farm Bureau with a 2020 Key Partner Award on Sept. 29. The Key Partner Award recognizes those that have made significant contributions to support and promote MSU Extension programs. MSU Extension recognizes Kim and Carl Graham as well as Wayne County Farm Bureau with the Key Partner Award.

Kim and Carl are long-time supporters of Wayne County 4-H. They are members of the Wayne County Farm Bureau Board of Directors. As the lead of Project RED (Rural Education Days) in Wayne County, Kim invites 4-H teen leaders to guide groups of third grade students through a series of agricultural learning booths. Her Ag in the Classroom materials are used by the Wayne County 4-H AmeriCorps member to teach agricultural science to youth via 4-H SPIN (special interest) clubs.

In fall 2018, Wayne County Farm Bureau gave a gift of $10,000 to Wayne County 4-H to host an AmeriCorps member to establish 4-H SPIN clubs focusing on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Since joining the MSU Extension 4-H STEAM Corps, Bershar Chapman has served 11 schools and community centers. To continue this successful program, Wayne County Farm Bureau donated another $16,000 in February 2020 for the continued teaching of agricultural science to youth for another 18 months. This funding provides a stipend for the AmeriCorps member and also pays for 4-H Participation Fees for the youth.

Farm Bureau supports Extension in a variety of endeavors. Kim and Carl invite youth to speak at board meetings, sponsor 4-H youth at the local youth auction, and share space with MSU Extension and 4-H in the Miracle of Life Barn at the Annual Wayne County Fair. Recently, Farm Bureau started partnering with local Master Gardeners and urban farmers in Detroit. Wayne County Farm Bureau’s financial support and connections have provided pathways for diverse populations to engage with the agriculture industry through Extension as well as provided resources to increase food security in Detroit. The Wayne County Farm Bureau sponsored Fall Extension Conference 2017 in Detroit with a $2,500 contribution.

Wayne County Farm Bureau, 4-H, and the Grahams share the same vision of educating youth about agriculture, citizenship, and leadership.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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