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MSU Extension: programs reached more than 3,800 Van Buren County residents in 2024; $151,000 grant awarded for veterans therapy garden
Summary
MSU Extension representatives presented the department’s 2024 annual report to the Van Buren County Board of Commissioners, saying the extension reached over 3,800 participants, reported 381 youth enrolled in 4‑H and 135 local volunteers, and secured a $151,000 grant to support a veteran therapy garden in Paw Paw.
Kai Gritter, interim district director for MSU Extension’s Southwest Michigan region, told Van Buren County commissioners that MSU Extension’s 2024 programs reached more than 3,800 participants in the county and provided a program-by-program summary of youth development, agriculture, health and community-vitality work.
Why it matters: Extension programming supports local agriculture training, youth development, nutrition and health education, and local government capacity building. Commissioners were asked to continue county funding that helps bring MSU research and outreach resources into Van Buren County communities.
Key figures cited: Gritter said MSU Extension reached more than 3,800 participants in Van Buren County in 2024. He reported 381 enrolled 4‑H youth and 135 local volunteers supporting 4‑H programs; MSU Extension staff also noted nearly 3,000 youth contacts through various outreach events. In agriculture programming, Gritter said the Extension secured a $151,000 grant to support the veteran therapy garden in Paw Paw, including work to make the garden ADA‑accessible.
Program examples: Gritter highlighted parent‑child cooking classes, mental‑health first‑aid training provided to local school staff, and horticultural therapy programming for veterans. He described health and nutrition work that helped increase youth fruit and vegetable consumption through classroom and hand‑on activities and cited partnerships with the Hartford Library and local schools for those programs.
Leadership and upcoming offerings: Tyler Abster, government and community‑vitality educator, outlined an upcoming local government leadership intensive scheduled for Saturday, June 21, presented with MSU’s Great Lakes Leadership Academy and campus specialists. Abster said the program’s fee has been reduced to improve accessibility and that scholarships are available to make attendance feasible for local staff and officials.
Board reaction: Commissioners thanked MSU Extension staff for the outreach and for the return on the county’s investment. Gritter closed by thanking commissioners for continuing financial support and invited questions; staff distributed copies of the annual report to commissioners and attendees.
