The Home Economics Program provides education and support to empower individuals, organizations, and communities to act in ways that contribute to the betterment of families and ultimately society. Educational programming in Home Economics includes the broad areas of: Foods and Nutrition for Healthy Lifestyles, Food Safety and Preservation, Human Development and Parenting, Community and Leadership Development, and Family Economics.

4-H Youth Development creates supportive environments for culturally diverse youth and adults to reach their potential. In support of this mission, staff will provide formal and informal community-focused experiential learning opportunities, develop and enhance skills that will benefit youth throughout life, foster leadership and volunteerism in youth and adults, build internal and external partnerships for programming and funding, and strengthen families and communities. Achievement of this mission will result in capable, competent, and caring citizens.

EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) is a food and nutrition education program designed to teach low income families with young children how to improve the adequacy of their daily diet by increasing their nutrition knowledge and skills. Either in an individual or group setting, participants learn nutrition information, basic food preparation and menu planning skills, grocery shopping tips, food storage and safety guidelines, and the ABC’s of practical parenting.

FNP (The Family Nutrition Program) brings the expertise of a registered dietitian and her program assistant into the homes of food stamp recipients who have specific nutrition education needs. The goals are to identify barriers to healthy eating, and provide appropriate nutrition education, referrals and follow-up care. Project partners include MSU Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies, Caring Network, and Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes.

The Kinship Care Families (Relatives Raising Relative Children) Program is designed to support, strengthen, and enhance the quality of life for grandparent caregivers and their families. Using the Kinship Care Families curriculum, trained facilitators lead small groups of Kinship Care Families through an 8-12 week educational component. Upon completion of the curriculum, the groups continue as monthly support groups. Kinship Care Families involved in the program will be strengthened in their own abilities and strategies; learn new practices and techniques for managing and caring for themselves and their relative children; and build a network of community and peer support.

BFI (Breastfeeding Initiative) is a collaborative partnership between the Michigan Department of Public Health and MSU Extension. Peer counselors provide breastfeeding knowledge, encouragement and support to WIC eligible women. The peer counselors are available to see mothers personally; in the hospital, at the WIC clinic or at home. The peer counselors are only a phone call away to offer assistance.