Kent/MSU Cooperative Extension
775 Ball Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 336-3265
Fax: (616) 336-3836
Mission Statement
A University/Community partnership connecting education to life to meet the challenges of a changing and diverse society.
Kent County MSU Extension website
Overview
Michigan State University (MSU) Extension in Kent County is
part of a state-wide information and education delivery network,
applying university level, research-based knowledge to locallyidentified
critical issues. We respond to local needs through
a unique partnership of County, State and Federal resources.
Information is extended to Kent County residents through the MSU
non-formal education system, which assists individuals, families
and communities to make better decisions.
Kent/MSU Extension services are divided into three program areas. In the Agriculture, Horticulture, and Natural Resource program area, education is provided on topics including: agriculture in the bio-economy, agri-security, pesticide use, animal waste management, farm marketing, financial planning, and other farm management topics. Horticulture offerings include plant and soil diagnostics, Green Industry business assistance and education, the MSU Extension Master Gardener volunteer program, and consumer assistance through the horticulture hotline.
Children, Youth, Families and Communities programs focus on research based education in food and nutrition, personal finance, youth and volunteer development. Geared toward prevention, educators work within the community to help individuals and agencies survive and thrive in tough economic times. You may find MSUE educators and instructors in homes, food pantries, working with developmentally challenged youth and adults, engaging seniors in improving their health, in school or after-school programming, and in youth development clubs. Community agencies and employers also host MSU Extension education classes and partner with us through train-the-trainer programming, creating capable community-based educators throughout Kent County.
Land use education and capacity building are primary focus areas of the Community and Economic Development program. Local units of government, community-based organizations, public officials and citizens participate in a variety of educational programs on many aspects of community development.
Strategic Plan
- Expand the bio-fuel development sales of agricultural products grown in Kent County via efforts with MSU researchers
- Bring research from MSU to Kent County in multiple educational program areas: nutrition and health, youth development, agriculture and natural sciences, urban and rural development.
Operational Goals
- Improve dietary outcomes for adults and youth in nutrition, and breastfeeding outcomes for new moms and infants following participation in Extension educational programs
- Increase participation in educational programs in youth development through 4-H clubs, school programs, after-school and summer programs and volunteer trainings
- viability of agricultural and green industries in Kent County
- Facilitate processes for Kent County citizens, neighborhoods, communities and local governmental officials to learn and implement best practices in land use, utilizing MSU resources whenever possible
- Provide educational programs that will assist individuals to increase skills in money management
2009 Adopted Uses $691,884
Selected Performance Measures
Performance Measure |
2006
Actual |
2007
Actual |
2008
Actual |
2009 Expected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Maintain the percent of people making improvement
in diet per ERS report |
94.50%
|
94.50%
|
95.00%
|
94.50% |
Percent of new moms enrolled in BFI program who follow through to
initiate breastfeeding |
72.00%
|
94.00%
|
64.00%
|
95.00% |
Percent increase in youth involvement in 4-H activities |
9.60%
|
14.20%
|
-11.00%
|
5.00% |
Percent increase in green industry producers in crop, financial
management and/or income production-related educational programs |
NA
|
53.00%
|
17.00%
|
5.00% |
Percent of participants indicating an increase in knowledge of best
practices in land use |
NA
|
86.00%
|
94.00%
|
80.00% |
| Percent of money management students that intend to increase amount of savings | 91.00%
|
95.00%
|
100.00%
|
95.00% |
Department History of Uses
| Uses |
2006
Actual |
2007
Actual |
2008
Adopted |
2009 Adopted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Personnel |
$353,727
|
$401,936
|
$352,512
|
$324,536 |
Commodities |
20,264
|
17,894
|
25,464
|
25,464 |
Contractual Services |
222,781
|
243,853
|
289,315
|
335,884 |
Capital Outlay |
2,894
|
2,372
|
6,070 | 6,000 |
Special Projects |
520,999 | 987,367 | 37,381 | - |
Total |
$631,304 | $642,229 | $657,696 | $673,361 |
Personnel FTE |
6.5 | 7 | 6 | 5.5 |
Significant Budget Issues
One Clerk Typist I position was converted from full-time to part-time to reduce expenditures and meet budget goals for the 2009 fiscal year.
History of Uses (in millions)
