MSU Extension Shiawassee County

02/20/2026

TWO GREAT SESSIONS!!! Michigan Cottage Food Law (Online, Free Sessions)
Learn how to safely prepare and sell allowable foods to the public made in home kitchens. The Michigan Cottage Food Law workshop reviews the food safety aspects and guidelines of preparing and selling cottage foods. The MSU Product Center joins us to cover the business aspects of the Cottage Food Law. A Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Inspector will be available for the Q&A portion of this workshop.
• Feb. 23, 2 p.m. EST
To learn more and to register, visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/CLF26/

Moving Beyond Cottage Food (Online, Free Session)
Entrepreneurs and cottage food operators can learn basic knowledge to guide them in the right direction for becoming a licensed food operator and Moving Beyond Cottage Foods.

To learn more and to register, visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/MBCF26/

02/20/2026

Your friendly neighborhood expert wants to remind you to get outdoors and enjoy some fresh air this winter! There is evidence that suggests time spent outdoors boosts well-being. Outdoor time can be all year-round. Get out in nature to beat the wintertime blues!

Looking for ideas? Expert Dixie Sandborn has some to share in her recent article, which you can find on our website located at the link in bio.

02/19/2026

Preserving MI Harvest (Online, Free Sessions)

Learn the latest methods and research for preserving foods at home. Let us help you fill your pantry and freezer by preserving food safely at home.
• February 19-Warm up with Frozen Food
Planning to use the food you spent time freezing prevents freezer burn and can help keep your food budget in check. Join to get some inspiration to utilize the food in your freezer.
• February 26-Making Sweet Maple Syrup
Join us as we go through the steps of making Maple Surup. We will talk about the process including filtering and preserving this sweet treat in a jar.

To learn more and to register, visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/Preserving2026/

02/18/2026

4-H Camp time again! Youth do not have to be in 4-H to join in this event.

🌲🔥 Dare to Level Up Your Counselor Game! 🔥🌲

Calling all current & future 4-H Camp Counselors (ages 12–19)!

Join us for a Regional 4-H Camp Counselor & Volunteer Training Workshop and get beyond ready to lead the games, rock the campfire songs, and handle whatever camp throws your way 💪🎶

✨ What’s in it for you?
✅ CPR & First Aid Training
✅ Camp safety & emergency skills
✅ How to calm the chaos & handle camper drama
✅ Games, songs & quick activities you can lead instantly
✅ Cabin themes, crafts & creative ideas
✅ Leadership skills that will change camp moments into camp legends!

📅 April 11
⏰ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Saginaw Valley Research & Extension Center (Frankenmuth)

💲 Training is FREE
Optional CPR/First Aid certification card = $20

🗓 Register by March 27:
https://regional4-Hcampcounselortraining.4honline.com

Hosted by 4-H Programs serving Bay, Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair & Tuscola Counties.

Let’s make this the summer the campers will never forget ☀️🏕️🎉

02/18/2026

https://youtu.be/R58m2-um5Mg

We're Michigan State University Extension. The part of MSU that brings the university’s research, resources, and real-world solutions straight to you.

02/10/2026

Got questions? We've got the experts. Whether it's farming, family or food—you don’t need to be an expert to get expert advice.
Ask An Expert—MSU Extension is here to help. Follow us for weekly questions and answers from REAL people—no AI needed.

Question – “How can I remove blight from my garden soil?”
Answer - Various plant diseases can cause signs of 'blight" on your vegetable plants.

Answer - couple of things you can do:

1. purchase plants or seeds that have been developed to be disease resistant. The tag would indicate this.
2. space plants so that there is good air circulation between them so that any moisture would dissipate rather than develop into a fungal disease.
3. water at the base of the plants instead of overhead which prevents moisture on the plant leaves.
4. Water earlier in the day so that if water is sprayed on the leaves, there is time for the water to evaporate.
5. Mulch around the base of the plants (with the mulch not touching the plant) so that soil born pathogens do not get sprayed on the plants when it rains
6. Plant in areas where there is more than 5 hours of sunlight a day.

02/04/2026

Got questions? We've got the experts. Whether it's farming, family or food—you don’t need to be an expert to get expert advice.
Ask An Expert—MSU Extension is here to help. Follow us for weekly questions and answers from REAL people—no AI needed.
Have a question? Ask Extension at https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/ask-an-expert

REAL QUESTION:
“Will you please recommend lower branch removal for health of tree?”
REAL ANSWER:
If you wanted to prune your crabapple, January and February are good months to do so. While all branches on your tree look healthy from the photo, the bottom branches that are at a weak (narrow) V-angle to their thicker co-dominant stems create a weak union and can break off easily under snow, ice etc., thus creating a possibility for injury. They can be safely pruned off.

02/03/2026

It's Grouondhog Day today, but do have plans on Thursday? It's a great time to learn about planting sugar beets. Here is an amazing summit planned for you.

02/01/2026

Join MSU Extension for a day of expert-led learning on climate-adapted plants, butterfly habitat gardening, invasive species awareness, native bee ecology, and landscape design. The 2026 Smart Gardening Conference is a full day of learning designed to help you grow with confidence and make sustainable choices in your landscape.

Saturday, March 28, 2026
Wayne County Community College District Ted Scott Campus
9555 Haggerty Rd., Belleville, MI 48111

Registration closes March 1, 2026, or when the event is full.

Reserve your seat today! https://events.anr.msu.edu/2026SESGConference

01/31/2026

Serving Up Food Safety (Online, Free Sessions)
Mondays – Returning February 2, 2026
Join MSU Extension food safety educators as they dive into food safety topics each week and answer your questions.
February - Food Safety In the Kitchen
• Feb. 2, 2026 - Pressure Perfect: Cook Smart, Cook Safe!
Own an electric pressure cooker but feel unsure about using it? Join us for a short presentation to learn how pressure cookers work and discover essential tips for using them safely and confidently!
• Feb. 9, 2026 - Quick Guide to Dehydrating Produce
Discover how to use a variety of food dehydrators to safely dry produce.
• Feb. 16, 2026 - Cutting boards and Knives
A sharp knife is one of the safest tools in your kitchen—when used with a clean, well-maintained cutting board. Learn how to sharpen knives, explore different types of knives, and keep your cutting boards safe and sanitary.
• Feb. 23, 2026 - Everyday Kitchen Safety: Simple Tips
Keep your kitchen safe with simple, practical food safety tips you can use every day. This session will cover cleaning, cooking and food storage practices. Learn how small changes can make a big difference in keeping your family safe.

To learn more and to register, visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/FoodSafety2026/

Preserving MI Harvest (Online, Free Sessions)
Thursdays - Returning February 5, 2026
Learn the latest methods and research for preserving foods at home. Let us help you fill your pantry and freezer by preserving food safely at home.
• February 5-Planning for Preservation
Plan for food preservation with us. Topics will include garden planning tips and seed selection as well as timing and management of your seedlings and an overview to prepare for preservation.
• February 12-Beyond the Bean: Tips, Tricks, and Tasty Recipes
Love beans? Learn how to safely home-can dry beans from start to finish using a pressure canner! Plus, get tips on preparing your canned beans for delicious meals.
• February 19-Warm up with Frozen Food
Planning to use the food you spent time freezing prevents freezer burn and can help keep your food budget in check. Join to get some inspiration to utilize the food in your freezer.
• February 26-Making Sweet Maple Syrup
Join us as we go through the steps of making Maple Surup. We will talk about the process including filtering and preserving this sweet treat in a jar.

To learn more and to register, visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/Preserving2026/

01/30/2026

ServSafe® (In-person)
Earn ServSafe® Manager certification with help from MSU Extension. ServSafe® is a national food safety certification program. This class is designed for anyone working in the foodservice industry, including non-profit organizations. MSU Extension offers an 8-hour ServSafe® training and exam proctoring, with a class fee of $75. MSU Extension will also be offering proctoring of the ServSafe® Manager Certification Exam by appointment.
Contact your local MSU Extension Food Safety staff for more information or for a list of upcoming classes, visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/servsafe/events

Safe Food = Healthy Kids (Online, Free Session)
Safe Food = Healthy Kids is an interactive workshop designed for childcare providers. Learn what the best practices are for food safety to help keep kids safe.
• Feb. 3, 6 p.m. EST
To learn more and to register, visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/SFHK26/

Guidance for Food Handlers and the Management of Halal Food
Halal Food training is for food handlers and educators with responsibilities related to nutrition and food. Key concepts of what food is considered halal and how to preserve the integrity of this food is covered in this training. Participants will increase their knowledge and confidence in how to properly handle halal food for consumers requiring a halal diet and will be able to incorporate with relevant food safety knowledge.
• Feb. 9, 3 p.m. EST
To learn more and to register, visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/Halal2026Q1Q2/

Safe Food Handling for Food Donations: Basic Training (Online, Free Session)
Safe Food Handling for Food Donations: Basic Training is designed for food banks, pantries, drives, and other organizations that distribute food to alleviate food insecurity.
• Feb. 11, 1 p.m. EST
To learn more and to register, visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/FoodDonationBASIC2026Q1Q2/

Safe Food Handling for Food Donations: ADVANCED Training (Online, Free Session)
This training, covers the legal aspects of liability, the types of food to accept for donation, storage conditions for food, the management of pests, understanding food recalls, transportation of donated food, staff and volunteer management, and emergency and food defense plans.
• Feb. 11, 3 p.m. EST
To learn more and to register, visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/FoodDonationADVANCED2026Q1Q2/

01/29/2026

Michigan Cottage Food Law (Online, Free Sessions)
Learn how to safely prepare and sell allowable foods to the public made in home kitchens. The Michigan Cottage Food Law workshop reviews the food safety aspects and guidelines of preparing and selling cottage foods. The MSU Product Center joins us to cover the business aspects of the Cottage Food Law. A Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Inspector will be available for the Q&A portion of this workshop.
• Feb. 4, 10 a.m.
To learn more and to register, visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/CLF26/

Moving Beyond Cottage Food (Online, Free Session)
Entrepreneurs and cottage food operators can learn basic knowledge to guide them in the right direction for becoming a licensed food operator and Moving Beyond Cottage Foods.

To learn more and to register, visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/MBCF26/

Selling Michigan Honey & Maple Syrup Safely
Food safety is key to successfully selling honey and maple syrup in Michigan. Learn how to safely handle, package and store honey and maple syrup, and understand the exemption guidelines for selling these products in Michigan. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development allows for collection and production of honey and maple syrup that can be sold without a license, and there is an expectation that this is done safely. Personal hygiene, food safe containers, storage, cleaning and sanitizing methods, and MDARD’s exemption guidelines are topics covered on this workshop.
• Feb. 17, 2 p.m. EST
To learn more and to register, visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/SyrupHoney26/