Annual reports detail economics, reach
of programming in Lapeer, St. Clair
TRI-CITY AREA — Michigan State University (MSU) Extension seeks to help local residents improve their lives on all levels and in all places whether that’s at home or school, on the farm or at a business and in their communities. County annual reports for 2019 put numbers and statistics to the work that’s being done locally in District 10 which includes Lapeer and St. Clair counties.
“We’ve empowered families and individuals to live healthier lives, supported new and local businesses, created opportunities for youth leadership development and career exploration, helped farmers with business management and mental health, and much more,” said Jerry Johnson, District 10 Director.
4-H programming is just one of several services provided by Michigan State University in Lapeer and St. Clair counties. Last year, nearly 3,000 youth in Lapeer County participated in an Extension program, with some showing and selling animals at the Eastern Michigan State Fair in Imlay City.
“Our staff live and work alongside county residents, are rooted in community relationships and are responsive to community needs.”
Here is what the latest reports are saying:
•MSU Extension spent more than $56,400 in Lapeer County and $52,172 in St. Clair County with local businesses
•Lapeer County students enrolled at Michigan State University received more than $3.2 million in financial aid. St. Clair County students received more than $6.3 million
•More than 3,400 St. Clair County residents attended 64 Extension events
•The MSU Extension website received 11,137 visits from Lapeer County residents and 20,355 visits from St. Clair County residents. More than three-quarters of both those statistics represent first-time visitors
•There were 2,949 Lapeer County youth and 6,452 St. Clair County youth involved in 4-H and other youth development programs. In St. Clair County more than 800 youth members belong to one of 52 4-H Clubs in the county, made possible by 270 adult volunteers
•At Lapeer County’s Clean Sweep/Household Hazardous Waste Collection event held in Sept., 315 vehicles brought material for disposal with the total amount of material equaling 14,595 pounds.
•38 food service employees completed ServSafe manager training in 2018-19 and 22 adults completed a healthy cooking class in Lapeer County
•71 preschoolers at Weston Elementary School in Imlay City experienced the Show Me Nutrition program
•216 coupon books, valued at $5,4000, were provided for the WIC Project FRESH program in Lapeer County and 92 percent of the coupons were redeemed. Extension educators provided the education component to the program that lets families in the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program access fresh, seasonal produce at participating farmers markets and produce stands.
•St. Clair County’s county’s SNAP-ED program provided 133 programs, including programming and information on elevated lead levels that reached more than 3,000 residents
•MSU Extension estimates their total economic impact in Lapeer County to be $10.2 million and $20.5 million in St. Clair County in 2019
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Local representatives on the District 10 Advisory Board include Lapeer County’s Lourdes Emke, Karen Aboukarraoum and Samantha White and St. Clair County’s Kevin Watkins, Phil Pavlov and Don Fletcher.
