Don T Have a Cow: 4-H Leaders Learn How to Teach Kids Animal Husbandry

Bringing Knowledge to Life! / Partner Report / Leelanau County
8527 E Government Center Drive, Suite 107
Suttons Bay, Michigan 49682
Phone: 231-256-9888 / E-mail:
Fax: 231-256-8331
Web: msue.msu.edu/leelanau
May 2010

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.

Don’t have a cow: 4-H leaders learn how to teach kids animal husbandry

Twenty-five years ago, the typical 4-H livestock leader was very knowledgeable about raising and showing animals. Today, many adults choose to volunteer in 4-H because they enjoy working with and teaching children and many don’t come to the role with deep livestock knowledge. They are, however, very willing to learn about the animals so they can better help their club members.

Thanks to a grant from the state 4-H office, 4-H livestock leaders in Leelanau, Benzie and Grand Traverse counties have a new set of resources that can help them improve their ability to instruct members in the proper animal care and showing. The materials include hands-on learning lab kits developed at Ohio State University for use with leaders in eight animal species projects.

In addition, an education fund was established to enable 4-H leaders, members and parents to attend weekend workshops at the 4-H Kettunen Center, the 4-H training site near Cadillac. In the last four months, 17 adults and 14 youth have participated and shared what they learned with others.

“(The instructor) taught us to read medication bottles, how and where to give shots, what size needle for each animal and withdrawal time information. I learned a lot,” one volunteer said.

Another leader appreciated her new skills, “Being raised in the city, I had little experience previously. (This training) has developed an

excitement and desire to learn more about raising goats and poultry.”

Clearly these members and leaders are learning new skills to apply to their 4-H animals.

Contact: Barbara Duvall

Leelanau County 4-H Youth Educator

231-256-9888 or

Ten years of local food: the Leelanau Farmers’ markets’ first decade

In 2000, then MSU Extension director Jim Bardenhagen and a host of dedicated volunteers established the first Leelanau County farmers’ market. Since then, Extension has taken a lead role in developing and promoting the six Leelanau markets, most of which operate from June through September.

The first four markets were established in Empire, Glen Arbor, Leland and Suttons Bay. Last year the Leelanau Farmers Market Association (LFMA) established a Friday market in Northport, and this year a Sunday market will be held in Lake Leelanau.

The LFMA accepts Project FRESH and Senior Project FRESH coupons. These projects enable food stamp-eligible residents to receive education about the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables and provide them with coupons they can redeem at participating farm markets.

With grant funding from the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA), the Suttons Bay Market will be accepting Bridge Cards (which replaced food stamps as the state’s means for food assistance) for the first time this season.

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Farmers’ Markets--continued

This represents a win-win situation for the community, as underserved residents will be able to purchase locally grown fresh food and local farmers will benefit from expected increased sales.

The LFMA hopes to expand the bridge card program to the other five county markets. With the help of an all-volunteer board and five market masters, MSU Extension staff will continue to support local agriculture and the citizens of northwest Michigan through coordination of the LFMA. The Local Food Movement is alive and growing in Leelanau County.

Contact: Dr. Rob Sirrine

Leelanau County MSU Extension Director

231-256-9888 or

Fruit industry education with a cherry on top

MSU Extension, the MSU Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station and the Cherry Marketing Institute work together each summer to put the “cherry” in the National Cherry Festival.

Since 1995, MSU Extension staff members have treated National Cherry Festival participants to a five-day cherry promotion event at the station. The event combines Extension’s work in Family and Consumer Sciences, 4 H, Integrated Pest Management, the Michigan Water Stewardship Program and other aspects of agriculture and natural resources.

Last July was a record year with more than 2,400 visitors taking a guided tour through the station’s orchards and learning why Leelanau County is an optimal area for growing cherries.

This was a 25 percent increase over 2008 attendance. MSU Extension educators share information about harvest procedures, best practices for growing cherries and the use of integrated pest management practices.

4-H staff members organized a petting zoo with animal projects from 4-H youth. Family and Consumer Sciences staff members provided participants with a taste of local cherry products like jam, salsas, sausage and breads and offered samples of skin care products made with cherry concentrate.

This venue is also chance for customers to learn about the antioxidant health benefits of tart cherries.

The main goals of the Cherry Connection are to educate participants about the varied uses of cherries, introduce them to growing practices and increase sales of regional cherry products.

A survey was distributed during the event assessing participant satisfaction, suggested areas for improvement, increase in knowledge about the cherry industry and an increased desire to purchase cherry products in the near future. The survey results showed the following:

· 80 percent of participants said that they learned a new fact about cherries or a new use for cherries.

· 91 percent of participants said that they plan to purchase cherry products in the future.

In addition, many participants told the Cherry Connection staff that this was, “the best event of the National Cherry Festival and by linking the orchards with the fruit it represented what a true festival should be.”

This year’ls Cherry Connection will take place from July 5 to July 9 at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station near Suttons Bay.

Contact: Jennifer Berkey

Extension Educator

231-922-4821 or .