Bringing Knowledge to Life! / Partner Report /
Ionia County
50 E. Sprague Road
Ionia, Michigan 48846
Phone: (888) 678-3464 / E-mail:
Web:
Fax: (616) 522-1449
October2009
Foreclosure counselingnow available
In response to an emerging community need, Ionia County MSU Extension has expanded its efforts to assist home owners in crisis. Brenda Long, MSU Extension Educator, has earned MSHDA- and HUD- certified Housing Counselor status. She has already begun foreclosure counseling with 20 county households concerned about missing payments, losing their home, or desiring assistance in working with their mortgage lender.
To expand these efforts, Ionia County MSUE applied for, and was awarded, a Michigan Foreclosure Corps Host Site status which included funding for an AmeriCorps position to assist with local efforts. In late September, James Buxton was selected to serve as an AmeriCorps member to provide assistance with home ownership issues. His position is funded through a grant from the Michigan Foreclosure Task Force, with $3,000 in county match funds through Ionia County MSUE’s budget. Jim will work on community outreach efforts, the intake process, and client correspondence to reach more residents concerned with home retention.
Any individual or organization seeking more information about the services provided through this program should contact the Ionia County MSU Extension office at (616) 527-5357.
-Brenda Long, Extension Educator
Pond management workshopheld
Forty-eight people attended a program on pond management issues in August at the MSU Horticulture Experiment Station in Clarksville. Topics ranged from fish stocking to aquatic weed control. According to Ionia County MSU Extension Agriculture Educator Dave Holloway, “we get a lot of questions on pond issues and it is great to be able bring in a top-notch authority on the subject.”
The workshop was a “victory lap” program for Dr. Don Garling, professor of Fisheries at Michigan State University who officially retired in September. He estimates that he’s presented approximately 2,000 public education programs around Michigan in his thirty years with MSU. Our thanks to Don for making his last official appearance with us and we wish him much happiness with his water gardens and orchids in a well deserved retirement.
-Dave Holloway, Extension Agriculture Educator
Plans for Ionia County Leadership Academy gearing up for 2010
The steering committee of the Ionia County Leadership Academy (ICLA) is moving forward with plans for its second year of programming. The ICLA, which hosted seventeen individuals in its inaugural 2009 class, is making plans for a class of 20 individuals this year.
The ICLA seeks to prepare leaders for greater involvement with community initiatives, units of government and businesses.
Continued
Ionia County Leadership Academy—continued
“We’re extremely pleased to see graduates from the 2009 class becoming engaged in various roles,” states Ionia County MSU Extension Director Eric
Hufnagel, “especially the formation of the Ionia
County Community Food Network (ICCFN).”
He further notes that over 30,000 pounds of fresh produce has been provided to people in need as a result of the group’s efforts.
“These are the kinds of things we believe the ICLA is all about,” Hufnagel concludes.
Any business, organization, or individual interested in supporting the ICLA should call the Ionia County MSU Extension office for more information. Likewise, any individual interested in receiving an application to participation in the 2010 session (which begins January 19) should call the Extension office at (616) 527-5357.
-Eric Hufnagel, County Extension Director
Family Nutrition Program helps residents build healthy lifestyles
Ionia County residents participating in Ionia County MSU Extension nutrition education classes make positive changes in dietary eating patterns that are linked to improved health outcomes and cost savings. Methods used include in-home visits, group sessions and hands-on activities. In FY09, the focus was on a series of 4-6 sessions with both 122 adults and 294 youth. Adult evaluations showed 86% improved dietary quality, 61% improved food resource management, and 49% improved food safety practices. These results are slightly higher than the past five year’s outcomes.
In addition, MSU Extension provided nutrition education through Project FRESH (WIC), Senior Project FRESH (Commission on Aging), and Grow Your Kids With Fruits and Veggies Social Marketing Campaign (Michigan Nutrition Network), during which 3500 reusable grocery bags containing useful materials were distributed to various agency program participants, food pantry visitors, and nine schools. Partnering agencies included DHS, Michigan Works!, Commission on Aging, Head Start, RAVE, WIC, and several schools.
The program recently welcomed Marilyn Cummings who has joined the staff as a Program Assistant.
For more information about Ionia County MSU Extension nutrition education programs, please call or e-mail Brenda Long, Extension Educator at (616) 527-5357 / .
-Brenda Long, Extension Educator
Wind energy zoning ordinance informational meeting hosted
With increased interest in wind energy generation throughout the county – including both personal use and business opportunities – zoned units of government have become aware of related issues and are considering the need for possible ordinance updates.
To assist with this process, Ionia County MSU Extension hosted an informational meeting for representatives of all zoned units. More than 20 people attended a presentation by Dr. Adam Kantrovich, Ottawa County Extension Director, who was actively involved in the development of a nationally recognized ordinance adopted by Ottawa County earlier this year.
Dr. Kantrovich provided an overview on wind energy, a thorough review of the ordinance, and then highlighted areas that may require special attention. Significant time was also spent in a general question and answer session which addressed a wide range of related topics.
“When we see new or developing issues,” according to Eric Hufnagel, County Extension Director, “MSUE seeks ways like this to share research-based information to help our local decision-makers.”
-Eric Hufnagel, County Extension Director
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.