Agricultural and Natural Resources Program
The Extension Agricultural and Natural Resources Program (ANR) provides
research-d educational programs to Kalamazoo County citizens involved in
agriculture or related industries so they may make informed decisions,
prosper, and contribute to the economy and well-being of the county. MSU
Extension’s Agricultural Program is known as a leader in discovering and
disseminating research-d knowledge which advances agriculture, food
systems, biological science, and environmental quality. In addition, ANR
programming provides information for the non-agriculture food-consuming public
and works with state leaders to determine the agricultural agenda for
Michigan’s agricultural future.
Livestock
The Michigan State University Extension Service provides educational
information to the livestock industry. This information will help provide
various management opportunities that will impact and create profitability.
The continued emphasis on producing a high quality product that is safe,
nutritional, and tastes good is a goal of the livestock industry.
Water Quality and Environmental Education Program
The Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program (MGSP) provides information and
assessment tools for residents and farms to help them identify risks to groundwater. The
MGSP coordinates local, state, and federal resources to help individuals reduce those risks.
Technical assistance and education resources, as well as cost-share funds, address
agricultural, turfgrass, and household audiences. The Kalamazoo County MSUE office houses
an AmeriCorps Educator primarily focused on the Home*A*Syst program for homeowners. A
District Groundwater Agent and MDA Groundwater Specialist are available at the Kellogg
Biological Station.
Field and Specialty Crops
Field and specialty crop program emphasis for Kalamazoo County is to provide educational and
field/research demonstration information to support crop production and marketing. Immediate and
long-term crop production concerns will be addressed, e.g.:
Insect, disease and nematode pest identification and management.
Fertility management.
Irrigation scheduling and water management.
Other production issues affecting crop production and marketing.
Home Horticulture Program an experienced horticulturist is
available for consumers to answer questions by phone or on-site regarding
annuals, perennial, pest, etc. free of charge. MSU's/Kalamazoo County's
Master Gardener Program is managed and administered through this program.
This highly popular nation-wide program is offered to all consumers with
gardening interest. This program has been designed to educate all levels
of gardening knowledge.
Commercial Ornamental Horticulture carries out educational programming in
floriculture, woody ornamentals and turf management for eleven counties in SW
Michigan. This program area of expertise and focus is on floriculture and works closely
with the bedding plant industry located primarily in Kalamazoo, Van Buren and Berrien
Counties. The Commercial Ornamental Horticulture program works in partnership to
assist and provide programming for commercial producers involved in the production of
trees and shrubs. To assist golf course superintendents in SW Michigan the Commercial
Ornamental Horticulture program has developed a data and provides assistance in the
management of turf and woody ornamentals.
