MSU Extension Kent County

Message from the District Director

The Kent County MSU Extension Annual Report brings the MSU Extension mission to life for county commissioners and residents. The data and stories within show how education is impacting lives in Kent County through an educational process that provides knowledge and resources to all. As you will see in this report, Kent County and MSU Extension form an integrated partnership serving the needs of students, farmers, senior citizens, veterans, and anyone else seeking to better their lives through learning. Thank you for another great year of partnership and community impact! We appreciate your support in helping MSU Extensionserve the residents of Kent County.

Sincerely, Kai Gritter

Impact at a glance

• 31 community coalitions within the county that MSU Extension employees are members of

• 7,526 participants from the county attending programs

• 415 answered Ask Extension questions

• 324 total volunteers serving the county

• 906 programs (across the state) attended by participants from this county

• 1,877 client consultations

• 156 programs hosted in the county

• 75,875 contacts through social media, web activity, e-newsletters and handouts

Financial Literacy - Community, Food and Environment Programming Story

In 2024, more than 220 Kent County residents attended a variety of financial literacy webinars and in-person events. MSU Extension provides resources and education on money management, foreclosure prevention, buying your own home, retirement planning and more to help residents and their families be more financially healthy. Some of the webinars Kent County residents attended are; Homebuyer Education, Surviving & Thriving a Fixed Income, Savvy Tips for Small Business, Informed Renter, Retirement Myths & Facts, Top 10 Credit Tips, Every Penny Counts, Protecting Your Identity, How Much Home Can You Afford, Make a Spending Plan Work For You, and Adulting 101 (which covers various topics).

Smart Gardening Outreach- Consumer Horticulture

In 2024, MSU Extension’s Consumer Horticulture team engaged over 3,227 people through outreach at events like the Home & Garden Show, Windmill Island Garden Events, workshops and webinars. 1,497 of those participants were from Kent County. The Michigan Home and Garden Show at DeVos Place served as a major platform, where Smart Gardening outreach spanned four days. Extension Master Gardeners offered mini-lessons, educational tip sheets, and staffed an on-site exhibit, while also leading 45-minute seminars for thousands of attendees.

Additionally, the annual Shindig for the GIG fundraiser combined education and philanthropy, offering guests access to MSU Extension’s newest educational displays in a vibrant community setting.

• 112 community partnerships

• 67,320 participants in community, food, and environment programs from across Michigan

• 470 virtual programs related to Financial Education, Food Systems, Water and Environmental Quality, Government and Businesses

GLEXPO - Agriculture and Agribusiness Programming Story

At the 2024 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable, and Farm Market Expo & Michigan Greenhouse Growers Expo (GLEXPO), held December 9–12, MSU Extension educators and specialists organized 65 of the 93 educational sessions, drawing 3,162 attendees (219 from Kent County) and hosting 382 exhibitors. The event offered substantial continuing education opportunities, including 47 Michigan RUP credits and 112 CCA credits.

A highlight was the Farm Market Bus Tour, coordinated by Garrett Zeigler, Mariel Borgman, Derek Plotkowski and Ben Phillips. The tour included 156 participants across three buses visiting five farm markets and agritourism sites. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees appreciating the diversity of stops and networking opportunities, though some wished more markets had been open during the visit.

• 328 participants in county agriculture programs

• 504 soil test samples processed

• 89 Residents who participated in Beekeeping or Pollinator programs

• $246.5 billion annual impact of food and agriculture on Michigan’s economy

• 116 Kent County residents who participated in the 2024 Dig In! Series

• 199 participants in the 2024 Grand Ideas Garden (GIG) Bare Root Plant event

Teen Mental Health First Aid - Youth Development Programming Story

In 2024, Amber Clingman taught Teen Mental Health First Aid to 240 students at Wyoming High School. Amber stated that the kids were fantastic, and she began to build personal relationships with them. Amber was there three days a week for most of the school day. While providing in class instruction, one of the in-class teachers reached out to discuss therapist options for herself. Amber and the teacher met between classes, talked about her needs, and options for a mental health therapist in the community. Amber stated, “It’s encouraging to know she trusts me to share her personal needs, and to provide resources." At the end of the course, one student approached Amber and stated: “You are easy to talk to, and it’s nice to have someone who is closer to us in age, and looks like us." These classes have made an impact on students and teachers.

• 39 county 4-H clubs

• 229 enrolled youth in 4-H

• 1,393 total youth participants        

• 121 total 4-H volunteers

Seeing Nutrition Possibilities - Health and Nutrition Programming Story

When the Team Nutrition 23 grant began recruiting, Orchard View School District showed early interest despite having no prior connection with MSU Extension. Their food service director (FSD), who served two districts, was experienced with grants but lacked time and knowledge to start a wellness committee. After connecting with our community nutrition instructors, our team met the FSD in May 2024.

Over the summer, we provided resources to prepare for a fall launch. By fall, it was clear the FSD needed more support to build a team. MSU Extension helped by sharing outreach tools like posters and templates. We maintained contact through regular emails and meetings. In December, Orchard View held its first wellness committee meeting, forming a motivated group. The FSD planned another meeting for January 2025. With the right tools and structure, our partners are set up for success.

• 1,731 nutrition and physical activity participants hosted in-county

• 2,301 residents who participated in health and nutrition programs

• 16 nutrition and physical activity sites receiving Policy, Systems and Environmental education within the county

• 27 policy, systems, and environmental changes with those PSE sites impacting 3,928 people.

MSU Product Center

Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan State University Product Center assist entrepreneurs and businesses in developing products and services in the food and agriculture markets. Its team of experts consults with clients on a one-on-one basis, helping new entrepreneurs navigate from concept development to launch and beyond. The MSU Product Center also offers specialized services such as labeling, packaging, and nutritional analysis. If you are interested in business counseling from the MSU Product Center, please visit our website.

• 363 counseling hours
• 136 customers helped
• 11 new products launched
• $80,482,698 sales increase, dollar amount sum
• 21 jobs created
• 33 jobs retained

The 15th annual Making It In Michigan Conference and Trade Show took place on April 24, 2024, at the Lansing Center, featuring 148 Michigan-based food vendors, many affiliated with the MSU Product Center. A vendor survey (54 respondents) revealed:

• 87% met at least one store representative, distributor, or broker
• 38% met five or more
• 83% had at least one express interest in buying their product
• 33 unique buyers attended

Award Highlights:

The Next SKU Could Be You Award: Downriver Chip Co. (Rockwood) & Urge Juice (Berkley)

The Golden Ticket Award: Force One Foods/Jedi Chili (Grand Rapids)

First Time at Fresh Thyme Award: Wani Cakes (Detroit)

Green and White Award: Zolli Candy (Commerce Charter Township)

Download the full report for more success stories and impact data!

After 'thank yous' were extended to all entrepreneurs and retail partners, the Product Center team began planning the 2025 event.