MSU Spartans assist in rangeland wildfire disaster relief

Seeing a critical need, members of the Michigan State University (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) community stepped up to show their support and provide relief.

Early in March, regions of Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas were devastated by high winds and uncontrollable wildfires. With vast areas of grassland for grazing cattle destroyed, ranchers in that region struggled to feed and care for their livestock. Seeing a critical need, members of the Michigan State University (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) community stepped up to show their support and provide relief.

In April, both CANR alumni and MSU Extension Michigan 4-H clubs provided an outpouring of disaster relief and support for the ranchers in need. These efforts included setting up collections for items such as feed, fencing and milk replacer; packing lunches and loading supplies for truckers making supply runs; driving supplies out west and organizing fundraisers for various components of the relief efforts.  

In Sanilac County, farmers and 4-H youth collected enough donations to load more than 80 semi-trucks with hay, as well as additional loads of milk replacer for orphaned calves, salt blocks and many other needed supplies. However, the youth were eager to do more, and thus a service project was organized.

“I’m really proud of these kids,” said Colleen Wallace, MSU Extension 4-H program coordinator in Sanilac County. “They wanted to help these farmers who’ve lost everything to the fires, and they stepped up.”

April 7–10, Sanilac County 4-H transported 46 youth from Sanilac and surrounding counties to Ashland, Kansas. Under the supervision of 14 adult volunteers, the 4-H’ers worked to build fences, haul firewood, clear debris and assist in any way possible.  

“I had a great time going out there helping the Filson Farm that was affected by the wildfire,” said Brady Zettle, a 15-year-old 4-H’er from Ogemaw County. “This opportunity allowed me to use my hands for larger service, just like the 4-H pledge says. I have always loved to volunteer, but this trip changed me and makes me want to help others more. The people out there were so kind and grateful to us.”  

“I loved being able to help the ranchers and listen to their stories,” said Riley Wallace, an 11-year-old 4-H’er from St. Clair County. “I liked seeing the communities come together and work on things.”

Youth from other counties also headed west to support the wildfire relief efforts. During the week of April 2, 10 Clinton County 4-H youth and four volunteers traveled to Knowles, Oklahoma, where they rebuilt a chicken coop for a local widow, built fence, cleared debris and helped out in other ways. In total, 4-H communities in more than 10 Michigan counties took part in the relief efforts in various ways.

Also joining in the wave of support were members of the CANR alumni family, with many Spartans volunteering to drive in truck convoys loaded with donated supplies and clothing for ranchers in Kansas and Oklahoma. Other Spartans took part in local fundraising efforts, donating hay and other supplies and volunteering a helping hand on the many organized service trips.

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CANR alumnus Kerry Tucker from Hopkins, Michigan, traveled to Oklahoma with her husband, Craig, and their three children as part of a truck convoy in early April that delivered donated hay and supplies to ranchers in need. Once they arrived, they were greeted by the Clinton County 4-H’ers who were there for their spring break service trip.

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In an article she wrote for the Holland Sentinel, Tucker said, “This is an experience that has been burned into our souls. While the children that traveled along were on spring break from school, they received lessons on this trip that could not be learned in any classroom or in any textbook they will find.”

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Fellow CANR alumni Elaine Bristol, West Branch, Michigan, also traveled west on a relief convoy in early April. Bristol, who serves as Michigan Ag Council program coordinator, blogged about her experience and the relief provided by Michigan farmers throughout the state.

“Michigan farmers are truly committed to helping others,” said Bristol in her blog. “To say this was a work of passion and of compassion would be an understatement. Michigan farmers breathed life back into communities that experienced great, unimaginable losses.”

Spartan wildfire relief efforts are set to continue throughout the summer months. To get involved, join the Michigan Convoy group on Facebook. To read more about the wildfire relief efforts, visit the MSU Extension website. To learn more about 4-H, visit the Michigan 4-H website or contact your local MSU Extension office. For information on joining the CANR alumni community, visit the CANR Alumni Association webpage.

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