See Extension In Action

Why does Michigan State University Extension do what we do?

We do it for those everyday moments behind our work and our mission. A teen discovering a lifelong passion in 4-H. An entrepreneur seeing their product on a grocery store shelf for the first time.

These are some of the stories behind those moments. These videos, features, and testimonials highlight the people and places we serve and the real-world results that happen when we bring the resources and knowledge of MSU into homes, businesses and communities across Michigan.

So come see Extension in Action!

For a broader look at how this work adds up across the state, explore the reports on our Discover Our Impact page, including our 2025 impact report, Extension at Work.

Articles

Videos & Podcasts

  • Braiding Confidence, Creativity and Community

    With over 30 years of experience in hair styling, Teresa Langston of Flint, Michigan, decided to volunteer her time teaching youth her trade. Langston's mentor and cheerleader, Earline McFadden, oversaw a 4-H hair braiding program at Beecher Community Schools several decades ago. Many youth took McFadden's class and used hair braiding as a trade skill that helped pay for college or day-to-day living expenses. After McFadden's passing in 2026, Langston was determined to reignite the program in the community, in McFadden's honor. So she contacted her 4-H program coordinator, Loren Dockins, to help set up a club. Though in its early days, this club has youth practicing new skills that have them beyond ready for careers in the trade, while also braiding confidence and creativity into their personal care.

  • Expanding Access to Traditional Foods with Elder Food Boxes

    The tribal elder food box program connects Indigenous communities with traditional and locally grown foods while supporting food sovereignty, cultural connection and healthier communities through collaboration between tribal colleges and MSU Extension.

  • The Value of Eating Local: National Farmers Market Week

    In this video, Community Food Systems Educator Kelly McClelland Horton discusses the importance of eating local foods at the Flint Farmers' Market, in celebration of National Farmers Market Week.

  • A Second Bloom: Preserving Mackinac Island's Lilacs

    Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau was notified by one of their staff that the lilacs were suffering from lilac borers, an insect that leads to health decline in the plants they inhabit. Luckily, they knew to call MSU Extension for help. Several years and 28 volunteers later, the historic lilacs are flourishing on the island ensuring the success of the Bureau's summer season opener - the annual lilac festival.