MSU Extension Monroe County

Message from the District Director- Mary Bohling

The long-lived, steadfast oak trees found throughout Michigan can live between 100 to 600 years. To thrive, the oak does more than endure change; the oak embraces it by making the necessary adjustments to maintain the lives it supports as well as prepare for new growth. Change is inevitable. Embracing it can lead to growth, resilience,  and transformation. MSU Extension is no exception.

Throughout our 153-year history, we’ve seen lots of changes to our programs, and because of your support, we continue to bring you quality information, whether we must alter the format, content, or the method in which we bring it to you. In 2025, the National SNAP-Ed Program ended. That meant that we had to say goodbye to nearly 100 colleagues and friends here in Michigan. MSUE and families across Michigan felt the loss of the SNAP-Ed Program deeply. But like the mighty oak, MSUE is adapting to the change and continuing to share research-based information through a variety of other programs.

Our resilient staff are working hard to identify emerging issues and ways that we can provide value in the communities we serve. We are seeing individuals and families being strengthened by our health programs for chronic diseases, fall prevention, parenting, and food safety. Adults in various stages of their lives are participating in homeownership and financial webinars such as “Thriving on a Fixed Income” and “Mortgage Foreclosure Basics.”  Farmers and gardeners are benefiting from our programs on disease prevention, invasive species, and nutrient and waste management. Youth are participating in programs such as 4-H, financial literacy, and special interests that make them “Beyond Ready” for their future.

Groups such as non-profits, corporations, and governmental agencies also benefit from Extension’s various educational opportunities. Entire departments in non-profits have taken mental health first aid training. Municipalities are leveraging science-based data on housing, tourism, and data centers from community and economic development tools to assist them in making decisions about how to shape their communities.

Whatever training or information you need to thrive in a changing world, whether you want virtual or in-person programming, it’s very likely that, Extension Does That!

Key Data Points:

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

5,241 participants from Monroe County attending programs

452 statewide programs attended by participants from Monroe County

45 Residential and Commercial Soil Test Kits sold

7 Nutrition and Physical Activity Policy System and Environmental sites receiving PSE education within Monroe County

20 policy, systems, and environmental changes with those PSE sites

214 client consultations in Monroe County

60,910 contacts through social media, web activity, e-newsletters, and handouts

72,517 participants in community, food, and environment programs from across Michigan

623 Monroe County residents reached by agricultural education

476 virtual programs related to Financial Education, Food Systems, Water and Environmental Quality, Government and Businesses offered

$246.5 Billion annual impact of food and agriculture on Michigan’s economy-Statewide

11,944 people participating in Food Safety programs including ServSafe Statewide

760 nutrition and physical activity participants hosted in-county

926 Monroe County residents who participated in health and nutrition programs

36 Homeowner Soil Test Samples sold

76 Commercial and Farm Soil Tests Samples processed

1,065 4-H Volunteers

5,140 4-H youth participants in county programs

114 4-H Clubs

$350,066 4-H volunteer hour value

5,241 participants from the county attending programs

64 Ask Extension questions answered

Product Center Data Points:

22 Clients

$19,817 Sales Growth so far

Chart on page 5 Title: 2025 4-H Needs Assessment Survey
Text: A total of 659 individuals participated in the statewide survey, including 295 parents/guardians, 231 volunteers, and 37 youth, representing 61 counties. 96 youth participated in dot voting at events.

Title over chart: Top- Priority Life Skills by Percentage
Bar Chart shows Life skills youth want to learn more about:
64% Basic first aid
66% Cooking and meal planning
67% Fixing things around the house
77% Understanding Money & budget

Memorable Moments and Key Quotes from participants:

Healthy Choices for Every Body: 

During our Healthy Choices For Every Body nutrition series at Paula's House in Monroe, a participant asked if she could share how helpful MSU Extension has been on helping her have a much healthier balance in her life. She shared a written letter that read:
"I just want to say that this program has been extremely helpful to my health. My weight is finally at a healthy balance instead of spiking up and down. I have learned to portion my foods, and that I can never have enough fruits and veggies. I also stopped drinking pop because I read the Nutrition Facts now. Thank you MSU [Extension]! I don't even buy salt or pepper anymore. ALL Herbs! Also I drink no fat milk and no fat yogurt now. Thank you."
-Paula's House Resident

Carleton Co-Op Senior Housing:

Carleton Co-Op Senior Housing provides learning opportunities for their residents, and the residents wanted to learn about nutrition. Because their voices tell their stories best, staff asked participants to share what they were learning. With the excitement of what they have learned they wrote their own success stories!! One participant proclaimed, "It's Only The Beginning!"

Starting A Packaged Food Business:

The Product Center worked with the Monroe County Business Alliance to help the community learn more about Starting a Packaged Food Business. The seminar gave an overview of important topics such as formula development, food safety, packaging, labeling, licensing, production and marketing.

Block’s Farmstand and Greenhouse:
The owners of Block's Farmstand and Greenhouse invited the Michigan State University Extension Vegetable Educator to answer questions from the public about growing vegetables. Partnering with a grower like this is mutually beneficial -they offer something novel and useful to their customer base, and MSUE is given an opportunity to connect with a new audience by listening to their experiences with growing vegetables and providing advice.

Monroe County 4-H Program:

Monroe County 4-H program leads the way as one of the largest traditional 4-H programs serving 1,300 + youth annually. This program requires a large volunteer base to run effectively. In 2025 the Monroe County 4-H program had 670 Gold Level Volunteers and 395 Silver level Volunteers.