Officials fear extension funding soon will be cut

This 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.

Todd, 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?

Close 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

Todd, 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.

This 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!

America,

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.

This is cutting RESEARCH! Very important research that helps advance technologies that use growers so they can help feed America!

This is cutting RESEARCH! Very important research that helps advance technologies that growers use so they can help feed America!

Meg,

That’s wonderful. But still doesn’t qualify it as a core government function.

Todd,

I was just curious if you enjoy consuming safe food products and wearing clothes to school/work everyday?

Meg 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

When 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. Dept. at MSU may have some positive effects on our university image. UofM and Northwestern are considered top research Universities in the world, midwest and definetly in the Big10. I’m not aware of any Ag Econ program existing on their campus’s. Let’s do what’s best for MSU and create viable programs not entirely supported by the unpredictable habits of government budgets.

Todd, 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. That was until automotive took a downaward turn, so now its number two and possibly number one!
The United States has the safest food source in the world, why do you think we send food to countries all over the world? We are the best at producing/growing it, and the best at making it safe for human consumption. So cutting the funding for the programs that advance the agriculture in the second most agriculturally diverse state would not only effect us here in MI that are employed by Agriculture but would also effect the US and the whole World.
As far as research goes MSU does plenty of research maybe it is not in your field of study but in the world of Agriculture MSU is ranked amongst the top in reaseerch university. We have had research that has greatly improved both crop and animal agriculture.
Another fact MSU was the first Land Grant University in the country. Land Grant Universities were founded so individuals could attend higher education and learn about what? FARMING. So without agriculture and farming this dear university that you call home would most likely NOT exist.
This will be extremely devastating to the economy in MI if good ole’ Jenny vetos this item in the Budget. Agriculture is actually doing well in this state right now. Cutting these programs from the budget would surely cripple the ag industry. Thousands of jobs will be lost, MSU could possibly lose its founding college, and the impact on the Agriculture indusry in MI, the US, and the world would be Huge!!!!

I 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?

Mark 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. Also, don’t know if you’re aware of this, but MSU is the first land-grant university; of whose principles were founded upon delivering education to those who previously could not obtain it.

Also, it is clear that you do not understand the thin profit margin that farmers survive on in the increasingly global market. MSU research collaborates (intellectually and financialy) with growers and industry groups to facilitate the development of systems, techniques, and practices that allow Michigan to be at the forefront of ag production in the US. Yes, Michigan does have the second most diverse ag sector in the US and that is not only because of the climate and diverse environmental attributes, but because Michigan has had a research institution dedicated to maintaining the productivity of farmers and their fields for over 150 years.

I apologize that you have to attend class with us ag ‘bumpkins’ since you’re so concerned with MSU’s image. Then again, you did choose to attend an historically ag university… Here’s a link for transferring(http://www.admissions.umich.edu/transfers/). Careful not to step in any cow doo on your way out. Bye, bye.

Ben,

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.

Todd,

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? Historical muesumes and libraries recieve money from the state they do not have any government function, Im willing to bet a lot that UM gets money from the state for medical research not a government function, there are so many enterprises and institutions that recieve grant money and funding from the state that do not act in any part as cor government, yet you stand here and say MSUE and MAES should be cut because they dont have any government function when they provide assistance to one of the largest industries, in the second most diverse state of the best food producing country in the world. There is no faster way to run a country into the ground than to elimante its food supply and rely on other countries to provide us with out food!

Rob,

Eliminating all forms of welfare sounds like a good idea to me.

Todd,

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. your comment re: Rob about eliminating welfare).

Don’t know if you got the memo, but equity doesn’t exist in society. “Pop!” Oops, sorry about the bubble burst.

I’m not going to make assumptions about your background, personally, but, theoretically, one could guess that someone who doesn’t support any type of welfare is either ignorant of the existence of inequity in society, or chooses to somehow believe in the “bootstraps” principle, or… well, there are worse things, but I’ll refrain from casting unfounded accusations. Point being, sadly, initiative and motivation only get you so far.

Perhaps you’re a social Darwinist, a Libertarian, an Anarchist, or incredibly wealthy… whatever, I’ll gladly argue your metaphysical views, but categorizing social welfare programs as not being a core function of government is ignoring reality.

I 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.

Dan,

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.

Well 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!

Dan,

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. Thats right 4-H is part of the repercussions of this budget cut, and that means no more 4-H county fairs in this state.

Even if your family would not directly notice that county extension office dont exist they would eventually realize it. Each office does numerous research projects, test plots, etc. each year all to benefit the farmer.

Oh 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!

Ben,

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 …”