Granholm Spares MSU Extension

People spoke up and our governor listened.

Two days ago we reported that Governor Jennifer Granholm had put MSU Extension and Michigan Agricultural Experiment Stations on her line-item veto list.

Now, however, Rob Sirrine, Leelanau County Extension Director, says that these programs, so important to local agriculture, are no longer in jeopardy: The governor will not veto them.

“There was overwhelming support for these programs,” said Shari Spoelman, Wexford County Extension Director of the governor’s decision. “That is what did it.”

In fact, there’s even some encouraging news in the decision: Governor Granholm is asking the MSUE and MAES programs to focus more on Michigan’s renewable energy efforts.

Dr. Sirrine says these new responsibilities will not replace Extension’s popular programs, like 4-H.

“Even though we are re-structuring, we will continue to provide the services that our local residents need,” he said.

But MSU Extension still faces a 44 percent budget cut, and some programs may have to become “more focused,” he added.

A big thank-you to all who called in their support of Extension and the Experiment Stations!

Jim Sluyter manages the Michigan Land Use Institute’s Get Farming! program, which frequently partners with MSU Extension. Reach him at jimsluyter@mlui.org