Kalkaska County MSU Extension

10/19/2026

Are you ready to build on your facilitation skills and become more confident navigating challenging group dynamics?
We invite you to join us for Tools for Effective Facilitation: Working with Groups in Conflict, October 27–30, 2026, in Lansing!

Formerly known as Advanced Facilitative Leadership, this four-day, hands-on workshop focuses on facilitating groups experiencing conflict, difficult conversations, and situations that challenge their ability to move forward.
Through realistic scenarios, role-playing, and individualized feedback, you'll practice strategies to manage emotions, build trust, uncover underlying interests, and help groups find common ground.

Workshop Details:
• Dates: October 27–30, 2026
• Location: Michigan Farm Bureau, Lansing, MI
• Cost: $1,200 (includes meals and materials; lodging is additional)
• Scholarships: Limited partial scholarships may be available.

This is a great opportunity to strengthen your skills, learn alongside fellow facilitators, and gain practical experience working through conflict.

Contact Megghan Honke at [email protected] to register as registration is closed but a vacancy has opened!

10/14/2026

🍎🍎Join us Thursday at 1pm or 6 pm for Preserving Apples 🍎🍎
What can you do with an abundance of apples? Let's explore ways to freeze, can, and dry apples during Michigan's apple season.

To learn more and to register visit: https://pears.io/events/msuext/8044/

10/13/2026

🧵🪡 We’re excited to introduce our Stitches & Stockings 4-H SPIN Club! 🍀

Whether you’re brand new to sewing or already know your way around a sewing machine, come learn new skills, get creative, and make something special just in time for the holidays! 🎁

📅 October 26 – November 30
⏰ Mondays | 4:00–5:30 PM
📍 Commission on Aging – Kalkaska
👧 Ages 10–19
💲 $10 registration fee
🪡 We have 5 sewing machines available, or you’re welcome to bring your own!
✨ Spots are limited, so don’t wait to sign up!

🍀 Register today at www.4honline.com

📞 Questions? Contact our MSU Extension office at 231-258-3320.

10/07/2026

10/01/2026

Across Michigan, MSU Extension connects residents with university expertise and practical, research-based resources for some of life’s biggest decisions — and lots of everyday ones, too.

09/30/2026

'Tis the season of prepping gardens for winter and planning next year’s!

Save this post for later and share with a friend who could use the reminder.

09/29/2026

Looking for better plant choices near the water?

A new MSU Extension article highlights alternatives to several invasive plant species, including aquatic and lakeside plants that can affect Michigan waters. Earlier this summer, water hyacinth and water lettuce became prohibited from sale in Michigan. Both can form dense mats, block sunlight, reduce water flow, and negatively affect other aquatic species.

The article also points to alternatives for purple loosestrife, an invasive aquatic perennial that can take over lakeside habitats and replace native species. Suggested alternatives include plants such as swamp loosestrife, Missouri ironweed, marsh blazing star, queen of the prairie, pickerelweed, American white waterlily, water shield, pond-lilies, and floating pondweed.

Whether you manage a water garden, shoreline planting, or lakeside landscape, choosing lower-risk alternatives is one way to help protect Michigan’s lakes, rivers, and wetlands.

Read the full MSU Extension article here: https://msu-prod.dotcmscloud.com/news/alternatives-to-newly-restricted-invasive-plant-species

09/25/2026

🚨 Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2027 MSU Extension Zoning Administrator Certificate (ZAC) Program!

Whether you're a new or experienced zoning administrator, planner, consultant, or local official, the ZAC Program provides the knowledge and practical skills needed to reduce legal risk, improve day-to-day decision-making, and confidently administer local zoning.

Choose the location that works best for you:
📍 Bay City | February 11–12, 2027
📍 Crystal Mountain | March 4–5, 2027
The hybrid program includes:
✅ Live Zoom instruction
✅ Self-paced online learning
✅ Two days of in-person, hands-on training
Since 2009, hundreds of Michigan planning and zoning professionals have completed this award-winning program to strengthen their communities and build confidence in their roles. Space is limited to 60 participants at each location, so early registration is encouraged.

🔗 Register today, see link below 👇