4-H Poultry Program Takes Flight

Partner Report

Bringing Knowledge to Life! Gratiot County

214 East Center Street E-mail: [email protected] Ithaca, Michigan 48847-1446 Fax: 989-875-5289 Phone: 989-875-5233 Web: msue.msu.edu/gratiot

August 2009 4-H poultry program takes flight Katie Eisenberger, Extension 4-H Youth Educator New program will train workers for Youngsters who take part in the 4-H poultry swine production industry project learn much more than how to feed and care for their animals. They also learn biology, animal The MSU Pork Team is offering a new science, ecology, safety and biosecurity. Whether or educational program for post-high school adults who not they choose a career in the field, or simply keep may be interested in swine production jobs. a few birds, they gain a great deal of valuable This program, “Swine Jobs School,” is a 14-week knowledge. program designed to provide basic information about On May 16, Hunter Church, Emily Cole, swine production, along with on-farm work Caliesha Ross and Sara Stack traveled with 4-H experience that can help prepare individuals for entry volunteer leader Theresa Cole, to Barry County to level positions on swine farms. represent Gratiot County 4-H in the 4-H Poultry “Swine Jobs School” is intended to meet the Quiz Bowl. technical needs of the Michigan swine industry by Prior to the event they spent weeks studying training job seekers in a region with historically high individually and as a team to learn poultry science unemployment. and practice answering questions. More than 100 The program is supported by MSU Extension, the youths took part in the quiz bowl competition, National Pork Board, Circle K Family Farms, LLC, which is modeled on the four-member high school Lafayette Pork Production, LLC, the Gratiot Isabella quiz bowl program. RESD and Alma High School VocAg with financial Gratiot’s team took runner up—an outstanding support from the North Central Risk Management accomplishment for a first-time, young team. Education Center. The 4-H’ers also participated in a second The school will be based in Ithaca, MI and taught contest called a skill-a-thon. Sara earned eighth by both campus based swine specialists and place in her division and Emily tied for fifth place extension educators. While the program will be in the Senior division. based in Ithaca we will accommodate students from Based on the outcome at the regional event, other areas of Michigan. Gratiot County 4-H volunteer leader Kim Smith The program will be based in Ithaca will introduced a local 4-H avian skill-a-thon at the students from other areas of Michigan. Gratiot County Fair. The 20 participants tested their knowledge on topics ranging from breed Jerry May, Extension Educator identification to feed selection. Smith also recruited new members to complete two poultry quiz bowl teams for next year’s State 4-H Poultry Show.

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. This has the potential to enhance their crop revenue by more than $100 per acre if state yields and/or national crop prices fall. This will not only New crop of leaders abloom help protect individual farmers’ revenue but also in Gratiot County revenue that is part of our local economy.

Twenty individuals graduated from a dynamic Dan Rossman, County Extension Director nine-month leadership training program called MSU Extension works side by side with leadership Gratiot. They are energized to help make farmers throughout growing season positive differences in Gratiot County. The program provided learning and hand-on Crop production is a major economic contributor experiences for the participants to enrich leadership in Gratiot County and across central Michigan. MSU skills, to enhance understanding of the community, Extension educators work throughout the year to help and to inspire action. farmers make decisions on their operations to MSU Extension joined efforts with about a maximize profitability and sustainability. dozen local organizations and agencies to provide This includes conducting local research on area the instruction and facilitate the experiences. farms under typical conditions. This year nearly 30 In an evaluation of the program, participants on-farm research and demonstration trials are in place indicated that as a result of taking part they plan to: across mid-Michigan under the guidance of MSU Extension staff based in Gratiot, Isabella, and Clinton  Volunteer more counties. These trials evaluate variety performance, seed treatments, foliar fertilizers and other crop  Become more active in the community production inputs.  Be engaged in basic policy The results from the trials are made available to  Stay informed of local issues producers to help keep them on the cutting of  Join a service group information that is applicable to the area.  Become involved with youth Additionally, MSU Extension staff members have  Become more involved with service agencies been monitoring local farms for evidence of the More than 90 percent of the participants western bean cutworm, a new crop pest. Using indicated that they plan to make life changes based pheromone traps and crop scouting, they have noted on what they learned in the program. that the pest, which damages corn and dry beans, is Dan Rossman, County Extension Director present in infestations that appear to be at a level of concern, especially for dry beans. Farm Bill educational assistance Growers have been alerted and informed about monitoring their own fields and how to deal with helps farmers, local economy infestations at a level that may significantly affect The recently passed federal Farm Bill has new yields. programs and options for farmers that can be Dan Rossman, County Extension Director confusing and difficult to understand. In response, MSU Extension has provided educational sessions Upcoming Events and numerous one-on-one counseling meetings to provide assistance. More than 80 Gratiot County Bean & Beet Research Tour farmers have taken advantage of this help. Aug. 25 -- Saginaw Valley Research and Extension As a result of this assistance, farmers are more Center, Frankenmuth informed and better able to manage their production and revenue risks. Gratiot County Dry Bean Plot Tour Aug. 25 -- Hrabal Farm, Breckenridge

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. Manure Application Field Day Aug. 26 -- St Johns

Swine Jobs School Begins Sept. 8 at RESD, Ithaca

Soybean & Harvest Preparation Field Day Sept. 24 -- Bob Fitzpatrick farm, Fowler

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.