Missaukee County
Missaukee County Extension
6180 West Sanborn Road, Suite 2
Lake City, MI 49651-9330 /

P: 231-839-4667 F: 231-839-5282

/ E-mail:

Web: msue.msu.edu/Missaukee

June 2006

Young dairy farmers come together to share, learn
A group of young dairy farmers from Missaukee and Osceola counties began meeting monthly in January to informally discuss current issues facing the dairy industry both locally and nationally.
These producers, in the range of 20 to 30 years old, network and learn from one another as they share information about how they have handled specific problems at the farms on which they work.
Topics that group members have discussed include state regulations for water use reporting and animal identification, timing of harvest for first cutting alfalfa, evaluating the quality of colostrum for newborn calves, and milk marketing trends.
During one session, Herb Bucholtz of the MSU Department of Animal Science answered questions about dairy cattle feeding and nutrition.
In addition to gaining useful information about dairy herd management, young dairy farmers involved in these informal discussions are building or strengthening their networks with other dairy producers in their communities.
Contact: Kathy Lee, / Missaukee Teen Receives State Honors
At the State 4-H Awards Program held during Exploration Days on the MSU campus, Alex Benedict won the State Award for 4-H Shooting Sports (Archery).
Benedict, 17, is the daughter of Jim and Sue Benedict of Moorestown and is a member of the Blazing Arrows Archery Club.
She has been the Missaukee 4-H Member of the Year for the past two years. She participates in seven project areas. She presently has two horses, two dogs, 18 cats, three guinea pigs, 65 rabbits and eight goats. She gets lots of help from her parents and her brother Lucus, who is Reserve Member of the Year.
As the reigning Member of the Year she attends all of the major 4-H events in the county, and talks to the younger members about the joys of being part of the 4-H adventure.
A state award win is a very notable success. Competition is between 4-H members from all Michigan counties is intense and of the highest quality.
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/ Michigan State University Extension helps people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities. Offices in counties across the state link the research of the land-grant university, MSU, to challenges facingcommunities. Citizens serving on county Extension councils regularly help select focus areas for programming. MSU Extension is funded jointly by county boards of commissioners,the state through Michigan State University and federally through the US
Department of Agriculture. /

Gaining the skills to win a State Award will serve Benedict well as she goes on to higher education, job employment, and becoming one of the leaders of tomorrow.

Missaukee seniors join Project FRESH
Missaukee County seniors now have the chance to learn to better use fresh produce and to receive coupons to spend at local farm markets, thanks to Senior Project FRESH, the farmers’ market nutrition education program.
The MSU Extension Family Nutrition Program and the Council on Aging will be involved in helping eligible seniors learn to select, cook and preserve the bountiful fruits and vegetables produced by local growers.
Participants learn ways to make their food dollars go further and better manage on very limited resources by tracking income and expenses. At the same time the farmers get added income. It’s a win-win situation for all.
Contact: Karen VanHaitsma,
Missaukee County residents help MSU Extension set course for future
Every MSU Extension county office recently went through a process to investigate current issues and local needs. The purpose of the process was to match Extension’s programming efforts to meet those needs.
In Missaukee County, a group of residents representing many groups came together. They identified the following issues and goals.
1. Educate residents about the lack of a land use plan and how that can affect communities. Develop an educational plan to access local land use priorities.
2. Increase multi-generational knowledge related to accessing community support resources. / Improve and expand existing work groups such as the Community Advisory Coalition, and possibly create a new committee from the provider members of the Human Services Collaborative Body.
3. Education for farmers about agriculture regulations and to improve farm profitability and sustainability. Help growers improve their business and financial management skills and offer education to develop leaders for stronger environmental stewardship.
4. Improve youth health through education about obesity, diabetes, sedentary lifestyles and the effects of risky behaviors. Promote positive youth experiences and help young people build their problem-solving skills, work ethic and education leading to increased economic opportunities.
5. Maintain present successful programs such as FNP education for low-income citizens, Love and Logic classes for improved parenting skills, after-school 4-H programs, 4-H clubs, dairy, horse and swine programs.
Contact: David Stroud,

Summer youth activities abound near and far

June in Missaukee County means 4-H camp near home and 4-H Exploration Days at MSU.
4-H camp was held at Camp Living Waters in Luther. About 50 Missaukee youths learned crafts, swimming and positive communication skills.
4-H staff members and counselors monitor the activities for the youths, many of whom were away from home for the first time.
Exploration Days features many educational sessions. Participants can attend programs about such topics as technology and GPS use, animal husbandry and career development.
Besides the learning experiences, young people have the chance to get a taste of life at a major university by exploring the campus, labs, library, stadium, dorms and student union. It’s a positive experience that can help instill the desire in young people to go on to higher education.
Contact: Ellen Wiltzer,
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal opportunity institution, Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family 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, Extension Director, Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI 48824