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Dozens of residents and 4‑H leaders urge Eaton County to restore MSU Extension funding
Summary
More than a dozen speakers at an Eaton County public hearing urged commissioners to preserve MSU Extension and 4‑H funding, warning that deep cuts will eliminate programs and volunteer infrastructure.
Speakers at the board’s Sept. 16 public hearing repeatedly urged the Eaton County Board of Commissioners to restore funding for MSU Extension and county 4‑H programs, saying proposed reductions would effectively end services that volunteers, youth and local agriculture rely on.
Bill Hendry of MSU Extension told commissioners the draft budget shows a “99% reduction” to the extension’s funding and said the partnership between the county and MSU Extension stretches more than 100 years. Hendry said the cuts would remove positions and services that leveraged local funding into broader state and federal resources.
Multiple 4‑H volunteers and participants described personal and community impacts. Jessie Gott, Eaton County 4‑H program coordinator, said the county’s 4‑H program served 731 participants last program year, supported nearly 30 groups and involved more than 255 volunteers. “Skills learned in 4‑H help youth become ready for the future,” Gott said on the record. Several youth, including Sammy Pease and Emily Palmer, spoke about leadership, public-speaking skills and personal growth tied to 4‑H participation.
Several speakers provided financial and program details: Brenda Hall said the extension office budget is $159,007.45 and warned of asset liquidation and large losses to club-held accounts if county funding is removed. Bill Hendry and other presenters offered smaller alternative proposals; Hendry said he had previously proposed a 48% reduction rather than the 99% cut shown in the draft.
Why it matters: County staff and dozens of residents described the extension as a provider of agricultural education, youth development, volunteer screening and community programming; several speakers warned the program cannot be rebuilt easily if funding is lost.
Discussion vs. claims: Speakers framed the impact in personal terms and offered statistics from MSU Extension’s participation records. The transcript records the public comments and staff responses but does not record a final board vote on extension funding within the provided segment.
Next steps: Commissioners said the budget process will continue at a Ways and Means meeting and a full-board session next week where the extension’s funding may be reconsidered.
