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MSU Extension reports broad participation in Lapeer County programs; 4‑H coordinator hiring stalled
Summary
MSU Extension reported thousands of local contacts and education events in 2024 and outlined continued demand for 4‑H programs while describing repeated candidate rejections for a full‑time 4‑H coordinator; extension leaders said they will try a temporary part‑time hire and ask the 4‑H council to fund interim staffing.
Carly Krazier, MSU Extension District 10 director, told the Lapeer County Board of Commissioners Committee of the Whole that 3,217 Lapeer County residents participated in 366 Extension programs statewide in 2024 and that 2,310 attendees took part in 75 programs physically held in the county.
Krazier said the 4‑H program enrolled 277 youth last year and relied on 146 registered volunteers. She added that more than 2,664 participants were reached through 4‑H programming in various formats and that embryology and school enrichment events remain high‑demand activities.
“Embryology is a really highly sought out program, especially with schools in the area,” Krazier said, noting the program’s role in introducing students to 4‑H.
Krazier also outlined outreach and education metrics: an online “Ask Extension” triage system that logged 59 questions (with additional one‑to‑one consultations not captured there), more than 400 direct contacts with county residents, and more than 54,000 printed educational handouts and e‑newsletters distributed in Lapeer County during 2024. She pointed to continuing statewide virtual agricultural programs that drew thousands of live participants and recorded viewers.
On staffing, Krazier reported two successive accepted offers for a full‑time 4‑H coordinator fell through when candidates took other positions. “We were back at square one,” she said, and described a plan to try a part‑time, on‑call coordinator funded in the interim by the county 4‑H council while recruiting for a longer‑term solution.
Krazier said the office recently added an emergency livestock incident trailer in the county—one of eight placed statewide—and highlighted ServSafe food safety courses that produced a 89% pass rate among 75 attendees. She noted that one long‑time food safety educator will retire in June and that coverage will rely on educators in surrounding counties.
The presentation closed with reminders about an upcoming connecting entrepreneurial communities conference and a 4‑H auction scheduled the following evening at The Bells Event Center to raise program funds.
The board did not take a formal vote on 4‑H staffing at the Committee of the Whole; Krazier said staff will pursue a temporary hire and discuss interim funding with the 4‑H council.
