MSU Extension Livingston County

A message from the District Director 

The butterfly effect is an idea introduced by Edward Lorenz in the 1960s that small, seemingly insignificant singular events may ultimately lead to much larger outcomes. If taken on their own and independent from others in the community, MSU Extension workshops, programs and publications may seem to impact only
those individuals who experience them first-hand. However, for over 150 years Extension has worked diligently to facilitate community partnerships and coalitions that broaden our education efforts and “Bring Knowledge to Life.” In addition to our county partners, Extension staff throughout District 12 has worked with 123 partners and coalitions in 2023 to expand the reach of our programs and education initiatives. Together, we are creating ripple effects, like the flaps of the butterfly wings, thatstretch across the county and beyond. In the 2023 annual report you’ll find success stories, participant feedback, event photos, program metrics and much more about the impact that Extension is making in the lives of friends, family and neighbors in Livingston County.

4-H preparing children and youth for the future 

At the conclusion of the 2022-2023 4-H Program year, Livingston County MSU Extension staff and 4-H Volunteers successfully revived the local 4-H program to it's pre-covid enrollment numbers. In the 2019-2020 program year, 508 youth were enrolled in the 4-H online system for Livingston County. As a result of the COVID-19 virus, by the end of the 2021- 2022 program year, that number had decreased to 348 youth, and many clubs had permanently closed. 4-H staff and volunteers spent the 2022-2023 program year planning events and activities to reach prospective 4-H families, including a countywide open house, environmental science and conservation focused SPIN (special interest) club, and Cloverbud camp. As a result, 510 members were enrolled for the 2022-2023 program year, and six new clubs were formed. All six of these clubs participated in the Fowlerville Family Fair with great success!”
- Kat VanDouser and Jenny Speyer

• 510 4-H youth enrollments
• $55,174.50 4-H volunteer hour value
• 979 total youth participants
• 4,225 MI Stronger Family total online participants

Improving Health and Nutrition

Regarding nutrition and physical activity, MSU Extension’s experts in health and nutrition bring
evidence-based education into communities across the state. Our staff delivers educational
programming to communities and helps create lasting healthy changes, from kitchen tables to
school cafeterias. Programming is supported through the Expanded Food and
Nutrition Education Program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education
(SNAP-Ed). Programs include: 

• Cooking for One
• Cooking Matters
• Eat Healthy, Be Active
• My Way to Wellness
• Peak Health and Performance
• Show Me Nutrition
• Teen Cuisine

“This was a virtual Cooking Matters at Home class. We met weekly for five weeks, for each class they attended they received a $10 Meijer food card, funded by the Livingston Hunger Council/United way of Livingston County. I knew that one of my participants was really struggling with getting enough food to eat, so when the gift cards arrived I let her know they were here. She was headed to the food bank to get some food as she had run out of food for the month and really appreciated that I had called so she could get some groceries to last her.” -Shelley Frazier "I was out of food for the month and these gift cards are really going to help." - Cooking Matters at Home participant

• 260 SNAP-Ed participants hosted in-county
• 301 residents participated in health and nutrition programs
• 1,695 total health and nutrition programs offered
• 127 district ServSafe participants

Fostering Strong Communities

MSU Extension and the MSU 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 the website. 

• 300 jobs created or retained statewide
• Over $284 million annual sales of product center clients statewide
• 96 community programs accessed by residents
• 343 participants in community programs