Officials fear extension funding soon will be cut
By Marissa Cumbers (Last updated: 10/27/09 11:33pm)After the state failed to issue MSU Extension and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, or MAES, their monthly payment, officials fear funding for these programs could be eliminated altogether.
The programs primarily are supported by state funding and were appropriated $64 million in the 2009-10 state higher education budget, which is awaiting Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s approval.
If the funding is eliminated, it could mean drastic cuts and possible extinction for the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Extension Director Tom Coon said.
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources receives about 74 percent of its funding from MSU Extension and MAES. The programs also fund 82 extension offices and 15 research stations statewide, employing almost 3,000 workers.
“The work that we do generates new jobs by helping farms, helping businesses and helping young people become more successful through youth development,” Coon said. “There are parts of Michigan’s economy that aren’t growing. This is one that is. It’s actually generating new jobs.”
MAES conducts research across the state on food safety, biofuels, livestock production, water quality and community development. MSU Extension applies the research to business use, job creation and youth development with programs such as 4-H, Coon said.
When Michigan lawmakers failed to balance the state’s $40 billion budget and eliminate the $2.8 billion deficit on Oct. 1, lawmakers passed a temporary budget that included funding for MAES and Extension.
But Coon said the state has withheld the money, which was scheduled to be distributed Oct. 16. He said that has raised concerns Granholm plans to use veto power to eliminate funding for the programs.
Megan Brown, a spokeswoman for Granholm, refused to comment on whether that could happen and said the higher education budget still is under review.
The last time these programs didn’t receive their monthly check, the state notified them beforehand and the funding was granted the following month. This time, no notification was given, and Coon said that worries him.
“We would be the first state in the United States to have agriculture and natural resource programs eliminated,” said Jeffrey Armstrong, dean of MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “All the states are racing to build a green economy. We would be a loser for sure if you take out the research and extension programs that build a green economy.”
If Granholm vetoes the funding for these programs, both would lose matching federal funding and millions of dollars in grants, which would cause an immediate loss of jobs, Armstrong said. MSU Extension would disappear completely, Coon said.
And because the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources gets most of its funding from the programs, their elimination also could lead to the college’s elimination, Coon said.
There are 15 MAES research stations statewide, including MSU’s Kellogg Biological Station in Kalamazoo County, where zoology junior Kathleen Peshek studied last fall. Peshek said the Kellogg Biological Station supports diverse research in areas such as productive farming.
“It would just be a shame to lose something that not many people have been researching on,” she said.
Coon estimated MAES and Extension have an annual statewide economic impact of about $1 billion.
Much of this impact is necessary for economic development in rural areas, said Craig Ruff, senior policy fellow at Public Sector Consultants, a policy research group in Lansing.
“(Those programs are) the lifeblood to many of the rural areas of our state,” he said.
State representatives from both sides of the aisle said losing the programs would be devastating in an already struggling state.
“By next year, (agriculture) probably will be our biggest economic contributor, replacing manufacturing,” said state Rep. Richard Ball, R-Bennington Township. “It doesn’t seem a good strategy to totally eliminate a crucial part of the one economic factor in Michigan that is gaining ground.”
Originally Published: 10/26/09 11:48pm
Todd
10/27/09 8:57amThis is good news. The funding should be cut. If agriculture is such a big economic contributor, as Rep. Ball says, then it can do its own research. As for cooperative extension offices at the county level, the small number of people involved probably appreciate it, but nothing those offices do can be considered valid examples of core government functions.
America
10/27/09 12:05pmTodd, you’re an idiot. This not only mean a lot of people will lose their jobs, but a lot of students currently enrolled will have to change majors, while recent graduates will find their degree tarnished. Plus, why is it a good thing — or a smart idea — to cut funding to something from which you’re getting ROI?
Let me guess, you’re a hardcore libertarian who thinks we should have weak government? Let the free market work it out, right?
10/27/09 12:43pmClose the College of Ag & Natural Resources at the nation’s first land grant college? A university founded in agriculture? Michigan Agricultural College. In a state whose manufacturing industry is kaput & needs its natural resources & agricultural industry? Shameful.
Here’s a link to the outcomes of Extension programing: http://anrcom.msu.edu/Budget/ProgramsinJeopardy/tabid/108/Default.aspx
Mel
10/27/09 12:52pmTodd, I don’t think you understand the far reaching impact of the MSU extension program.
Agriculture, automotive, and recreation used to be the 3 big industries in Michigan. If agriculture shuts down, Michigan won’t have much left.
Meg
10/27/09 3:17pmThis is a VERY BAD thing! Thousands of jobs will be lost, a potential for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to be eliminated too.
Write to our Governor:
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Help save our agriculture!
Todd
10/27/09 3:29pmAmerica,
Limited government is not weak government. There’s simply no valid reason for tax dollars to fund agricultrual experiments or aunt bessy’s knitting classes.
Meg
10/27/09 4:19pmThis is cutting RESEARCH! Very important research that helps advance technologies that use growers so they can help feed America!
Meg
10/27/09 4:21pmThis is cutting RESEARCH! Very important research that helps advance technologies that growers use so they can help feed America!
Todd
10/27/09 4:47pmMeg,
That’s wonderful. But still doesn’t qualify it as a core government function.
Stephanie
10/27/09 5:06pmTodd,
I was just curious if you enjoy consuming safe food products and wearing clothes to school/work everyday?
America
10/27/09 7:58pmMeg and Stephanie,
Don’t even try arguing with a Libertarian. They’re very dogmatic. For them, it’s (like) a religion.
The Government is the evil bad guy on whom to blame everything, while Captain Private Industry and his buddy the Free Market are the heroes.
/ends sarcasm
Mark
10/27/09 9:24pmWhen jobs are lost, it can be argued that everyone is affected. However, what’s a University program doing with so much influence in one particular State? Sounds like a poor plan for the future of the Ag Econ Dept. Not to mention seeking gov’t funding for approx 3/4’s of its budget. Personally, my viewpoint isn’t cemented in anything factual, but nonetheless cutting the Ag.
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Rob
10/28/09 8:56amTodd, Mark and all others that are for this cut,
Honestly, are you freaking crazy? Do you realize teh repercussions of this budget cut on your daily lifes? I dont think you do. So lets state some FACTS- Michigan is the second most agriculturally diverse state second only to California.
...Agriculture used to be the third largest industry in this state.
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Taylor
10/28/09 9:37amI think this is a very bad idea! I am a high school student doing an internship with our extension office and I love it. I have only been working there for two months but I am experincing so much! I hate to see this go! What can I do to help?
Ben
10/28/09 10:36amMark and Todd,
Clearly you all do not understand the extent to which MSU has established its reputation as a top research institution. Perhaps if you’re so concerned with the reputations of other schools, you should consider transferring (if you think you could get admitted?). MSU’s Crop and Soil Science Dept is the top-rated department in the country (above Cornell, UC-Davis, etc…). The Horticulture Dept, again, is in the top five in the country.
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Todd
10/28/09 11:28amBen,
I didn’t say anything about the reputation of any schools, so I’m not sure where you got that from.
I’m sure MSU can find the money necessary to fund the College of Ag and Nat Res., but the money for MAES and the extension offices simply cannot be justified when the governor and legislature have created a nearly $3 billion overspending crisis. Neither function is a legitimate core function of state government.
Rob
10/28/09 1:56pmTodd,
If your argument for cutting the extension and MAES programs is that they are not “valid examples of core government function” what do you have to say about all the other funding that comes from the state of MI to MSU and other universities in this state to do research and such with? Don’t kid yourself the College of Ag and Natural Resources along with MSUE and MAES are NOT the only instituions that get funding from the state government, and they are not part of “valid core government” should we cut all their funding as well?
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Todd
10/28/09 2:07pmRob,
Eliminating all forms of welfare sounds like a good idea to me.
Ben
10/28/09 3:10pmTodd,
Firstly, the “reputation” comment was directed at Mark, but since I lumped my comment together it seemed to address both of you.
Secondly, since you are inelaboratively relying on your default rebuttal of “legitimate core function of state government”, please define and provide examples. It seems as if you cast a long net under what is defined as extraneous (e.g.
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Dan
10/28/09 3:12pmI come from a family of farmers, one of whom would not even notice the absence of county extension services. The idea that agriculture will die if we spend fewer tax payer dollars on it is idiotic. Talk to real private farmers.
Ben
10/28/09 3:27pmDan,
I trust you do not come from a family of corn or soy farmers, because if you do, that form of agriculture would indeed die (perhaps spontaneously combust) without government subsidies.
I’m just trying to clarify your statement, not be inciteful. Please elaborate if you so wish.
Kathy
10/28/09 3:32pmWell said Ben……I think it should be mandatory for all incoming Freshmen to take a full day historical lecture/tour of the entire campus…..maybe then they will have a better appreciation of where their food comes from and the role of importance that this Land Grant University is to Michigan, The Country, and the World….it’s time we ‘bumpkins’ take back this university from narrow-minded, selfish thinkers…..Tell me Todd, do you even work? Do you pay taxes? What is your big contribution into the system other then empty opinions? Do you volunteer? Do you help your fellowman? Please educate yourself on this topic first before you say anything else. Have a Great Day!
Rob
10/28/09 3:51pmDan,
I have a feeling that your family of farmers would know that the extension office does not exist anymore. They employ a lot of really smart helpful people that farmers use on a daily basis for advice.
Tell us a little bit about your family farm. Crops? Dairy? Livestiock? acres? Most farmers I know about know the county extension offices exist, they know the agronomy person by first name, and in the very least they know that their county has a 4-H program and a fair.
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Rob
10/28/09 3:53pmOh and Dan I grew up on a real family farm. We farm 1800 acres in the thumb of MI with Corn, soybeans, sugarbeets, dry edible beans, and wheat! I currently am employed by an ag input supplier doing sales and talk to “real private farmers” everyday and all of them would notice if MSUE and MAES ceased to exist!
Todd
10/29/09 8:45amBen,
My background? Oh, just one of those folks who still thinks the Constitution means something. We’re pretty few and far between.
Google James Madison and the quote that begins “I cannot undertake …”
gretchen
10/29/09 9:20ami think governor granholm is going to make a mistake passing this.
but you shouldnt argue about it! it is what it is.
save MSUE and MAES
10/29/09 12:46pmgretchen,
the previous comments are concerned people who are trying to straighten out the facts and defend the significant loss many people would suffer if these institutions cease to exist.
Marie
10/29/09 1:12pmI think we could solve alot of issues by just making sure that Granholm is not allowed to serve another term.
I think she is trying to run MI into the ground so much that when Canada offers to buy it the US agrees.
Before anyone replies that I am dumb *No *Im *not *serious. But honestly, every time I see her name in the news I’m scared to see what ridiculous proposal or decision shes made
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