Michigan State University seeks public input to sharpen research and outreach focus

Michigan residents can help determine where Extension faculty and staff members should place their emphasis.

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Beth Stuever

 EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State University Extension has long been a source of information and education for Michigan residents. Along with MSU AgBioResearch scientists, Extension professionals throughout the state are asking Michigan residents to help them determine where they should place their emphasis in the future.
“This organization belongs to the people we serve,” said Ray Hammerschmidt, MSU Extension interim director. “We want to make sure that we are meeting their needs throughout the state by sharing research and education that will make a difference to them, their communities, their families, their business and their farms.”
To that end, MSU Extension has launched an online survey asking all Michigan residents about their needs and priorities. The MSU Extension and AgBioResearch Survey to Sharpen Our Focus online survey that will supplement 14 upcoming face-to-face meetings throughout the state that will engage nearly 500 residents.
“We have designed a series of meetings that will bring together people from all over,” said Maggie Bethel, the former MSU Extension director who is charged with overseeing the process. “But it is important that we don’t limit ourselves to the people we see in person. The online survey gives everyone a chance to participate in the process.”
As an added bonus, respondents who complete the survey will have the option of entering a drawing that includes two MSU men’s basketball game tickets (date and time to be determined), a basket of Michigan-made agricultural products and a $75 gift certificate to shop.msu.edu.
To participate, access the survey from the front page of msue.msu.edu by visiting msue.msu.edu/focus. All information collected is anonymous. Once completed, a separate link will be provided to those who wish to enter the drawing.
“We don’t want people to feel any hesitation about providing information,” Bethel said. “Therefore, we will not retain names or contact information except for the purposes of the drawing. That database will be not be kept once the winners have claimed their prizes.”
To learn more about MSU Extension, visit msue.msu.edu.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://bit.ly/MSUENews. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).