Bringing Knowledge to Life! / Partner Report / Midland County
220 West Ellsworth Street
Midland, Michigan 48640-5194
Phone: 989-832-6640 / E-mail:
Fax: 989-832-6758
Web: msue.msu.edu/midland
April 2009
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, MI 48824. 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.
Dinner supports natural resources education
Youngsters who learn about the outdoors and Michigan’s many native plants and animals grow into adults who understand the value of preserving the environment and contribute to making sound decisions about those resources.
To help Midland County youths develop an appreciation for the area’s natural resources,the Midland County Youth Outdoors Program (MYOP) hosts an annual 4-H Wild Game Dinner. The dinner directly supports positive outdoor education four thousands of Midland County children every year.
The sixth annual event drew 350 adults and youth. Local 4-H hunters and family members feasted on a variety of wild game dishes and competed in a contest to see who brought the tastiest dish. Long-time 4-H leader Bob Raber of TOWN took first place honors with his rabbit dish.
The evening also included a charity auction to support MYOP activities[LP1]. Bids on a wide selection of donated gifts, from salmon fishing trips to archery equipment, added to the fun and excitement as the dinner raised nearly $1,500.
Youngsters at the event participated in BB gun target shooting, lure and fly tying and a casting contest. More than a dozen local businesses brought displays to educate participants about fishing, trapping and shooting.
The night was capped off with local and statewide speaker Tim Myers who entertained the audience with tales about cooking with wild game.
The money raised during the event will be used to buy archery targets, pellet guns and other equipment for the MYOP program.
Contact: Dave Thomas, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
Residents learn budgeting
for a New Year
The combination of good information and food seemed to be the right ingredients for a two-part series about money management in early January.
Gordonville United Methodist Church hosted MSU Extension educator Lisa Treiber who talked about budgeting for the New Year. She shared information about getting organized, setting goals and stretching abudget, credit, avoiding identity theft and planning for debt-free living.
The audience included youthswho are transitioning out of the foster care system,families with children and seniors. All participants were facing a variety of issues related to money management.
After the program concluded, 42 percent of the participants indicated that they planned to make changes in how they manage their money using what they’d learned.
Continued
Budgeting program—continued
Participants also indicated they plan to
begin workingon reducing their clutter piles (33 percent), filing important papers (33 percent), using a calendar to track when bills are due (17 percent), creating a budget (21 percent), tracking monthly expenses (29 percent), begin saving money (17 percent) and planning how to use their tax refunds (13 percent).
The group also learned the importance of checking their credit scores three times a year with a reputable source and not spending unnecessary money to do so.
Contact: Lisa Treiber Extension Educator Family and Consumer Sciences
Master Gardeners help homeowners preserve environment, save money
Thanks to the work of Midland County Master Gardeners who are spreading the word about the importance of soil testing, a record number of homeowners are sending soil samples to MSU Diagnostic Services.
Soil testing protects the environment and the wallet. The results, which are shared with homeowners by Master Gardeners or MSU Extension staff members, show the types of nutrients a lawn or garden area needs for maximum production.
This information allows homeowners to purchase and apply the correct amount of fertilizers. Over application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium threatens the quality of ground and surface waters when it leaches through soil or runs off during rainstorms. It also adds unneeded expenses.
Master Gardeners volunteer their time to review each of the soil test recommendations before the results are sent on to the homeowners. If the recommendations are followed, homeowners can redirect their gardening budgets to more tangible and enjoyable purchases such as plant material and lawn equipment.
The more than 50 Midland County Master Gardeners also teaching classes about gardening and yard care, work on community landscape projects, answer questions and assist at the MSU Extension office.
Master Gardeners earn their certification by completing a 40-hour course and contributing 40 hours of community service within a year. To maintain their certification, they volunteer at least 15 hours everysummer.
With 50 volunteers contributing 15 hours a year, these individuals contributeat least 750 hours of volunteer time to Midland County each year, which is worth more than $14,000 (according to Public Sector, the national coalition of nonprofit organizations that values each hour of time at $19.51).
Contact: Bev Przystas, Interim County Extension Director
Upcoming Events
May 20Families & Financial Well-being
MSUE Learning Center
June 284-H Camp
to July 3
June 24 to 264-H Exploration Days at MSU
July 6-Aug.8Project FRESH
Aug. 16-22Midland County Fair
Aug. 17-18AARP Drivers Safety Classes
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, MI 48824. 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.
[LP1]What kinds of activities does MYOP do to support outdoor education?