Terry Gibb spoke to the club as a representative for MSU Extension Services.
MSU Extension’s mission is to help people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs, and opportunities. It brings the vast knowledge resources of MSU directly to individuals, communities, and businesses.
In 1914, Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, which directed the nation’s land grant universities to oversee its work in every state. MSU Extension has divided Michigan into 14 districts, with 4 statewide institutes: (1) Children & Youth, (2) Health & Nutrition, (3) Agriculture & Agribusiness, and (4) Community, Food & Environment.
Children & Youth includes the 4H Club, which is the largest youth development program in the State with 59,000 youth taking part. It teaches life skills, how to be a leader, and career preparation. Health and Nutrition focuses on nutrition, physical activity, food preparation, and food safety. The programs in Agriculture and Agribusiness include Master Gardener, plant & pest diagnostics, and crop production. Community, Food & Environment is the most varied institute with programs in areas such as housing education and foreclosure, local government fiscal sustainability, and homeowner septic education. www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/