Morgan Mulcahy of Moran, who said she likes to cook, learns how to make a quesadilla with the help of Mary Swiderski, the Family Nutrition Program educator with Michigan State University Extension. The lessons were offered at Family Fun Day at Little Bear East Conference Center Saturday, March 21. This is one of many Extension programs offered throughout the year to encourage children to cook and eat healthy foods. If state budget cuts are approved this fall, the program could be cut or reduced for lack of funding. If proposed 2010 budget cuts to Michigan State University's Extension programs are approved by state legislators this fall, all Mackinac County Extension jobs will be impacted and some programs could be reduced or eliminated. The cuts, which are an effort by Governor Jennifer Granholm to balance the state's multi-million dollar budget deficit, call for a $32 million reduction in support for Extension programs across the state and the university's Agricultural Experiment Station.

The reduction amounts to a 50% cut from last year's combined allocation to both programs of $64 million. The proposed funding reduction would change the operations of the entire organization, said Michelle Walk, the county's Extension director, and those changes would filter down to the local level.

Three Engadine High School students are taking part in the 4-H Capitol Experience program Sunday, March 22, through Wednesday, March 25, in Lansing. The students toured the county building in St. Ignace and attending a Mackinac County commission meeting Thursday, March 12. This is one of the programs that is in danger of being eliminated, if a proposed state budget cut to Michigan State University Extension, which oversees 4-H programs, is approved by legislators this fall. Pictured are senior Brenda Albrecht (front row, from left), junior Kayla Miller, and freshman Michael Ramelis; (back) Capitol Experience Coordinator Paula Ramelis, and commissioners Calvin "Bucky" McPhee, Mike Patrick, Carl Frazier, and Dawn Nelson. Missing from photograph are commissioner Larry Leveille and student Michael Klobucher, a junior. "It is difficult to talk about the impact of the cuts on specific positions at this point," said Ms. Walk. "The reality is, if the cuts go through at or near the proposed level of 50%, we will look very different as an organization statewide. We will be reevaluating how all services are provided, what the priorities are for providing services with fewer resources, and how to best utilize the resource that we will have."

Combined, Mackinac, Luce, and Chippewa counties could lose more than $150,000 if the cuts were applied across the board.

Mackinac County's Extension office in St. Ignace employs eight people, including Ms. Walk. With a $375,000 budget, about $86,000 comes from the state allocation to MSU, $135,000 comes from Mackinac County, and $129,000 comes from federal grants.

Ms. Walk's salary is paid by university funds. Joyce Belonga is the county's 4-H educator and her position is paid for with university and county funds. Extension receives a mix of funds for Tracie Abram's position as Better Kid Care educator, including a grant, university dollars, and county funds. The Extension receives a grant to pay for the Family Nutrition Program educator, a position held by Mary Swiderski. Grant and county funds support the position of mentoring coordinator held by Paula Ramelis. Grant funds also support a parttime, on-call position for the breast feeding initiative held by Casey Zimmerman. County funds support an administrative secretary, a position held by Candy DeKeyser, and a part-time secretarial post held by Sheri Wheeldon.

Positions that are funded using state dollars are not the only ones that will be impacted if the budget cut is approved, said Ms. Walk. Even though a position may not be directly funded by the state, state funded positions help provide inkind match dollars for most of the federal grants Extension receives. For example, when working with Mrs. Swiderski, Ms. Walk's time is considered in-kind work and it contributes to the match requirement that funds Mrs. Swiderski's position.

"So, even though she's not directly funded through state funds," said Ms. Walk, "state funds provide the match for most of the grants we have. That's where there is this kind of domino effect, in that it doesn't just affect those of us who are on state funding."

Across the U.P., counties cover large areas, meaning staffing for Extension offices already is limited, said Ms. Walk. MSU determines needs and distributes funding to each region based on those needs, she said. The U.P. is considered one region.

Right now, all of the counties have a 4-H staff person, however, MSU may have to reduce the program if the cuts go through. Last year, 250,000 youth and 25,000 vol- unteers participated in 4-H statewide. According to a fact sheet issued by MSU following the budget cut announcement, the 4-H program is in danger of being eliminated statewide.

Locally, Extension programs are varied and include training for child care, peer mentoring, nutrition education, and working with parents to help children cope with divorce. Classes and workshops offered include Citizen Planner, customer service, strategic planning, alternative energy sources, agriculture, and sustainable forestry education. Extension participates in county programs and organizations, including the farmers market, North Huron Scenic Pathway, and the Mackinac County Planning Commission. It also works on the hoop house research project, which is designed to lengthen the growing season for area farmers.

"I really see us struggling to provide anywhere near what we're providing if the cuts go through at that level," said Ms. Walk.

Chippewa County's Extension office receives more than $100,000 from the county, about $75,000 from the state, and more than $85,000 in federal grants. Director Jim Lucas agrees that any funding cuts from the state will impact all of the employees and services the organization provides.

In Chippewa County, he said, their breast feeding Initiative reaches out to about 100 mothers. Losing the program or having services cut have long-term effects that are not immediately measurable. Children may have difficulty dealing with allergies and have other health issues. Those supporting breast feeding say it offers health benefits to children as they grow.

About five years ago, said Mr. Lucas, the Extension office started the farmer's market. Combined, the market stands earn between $500 and $5,000 weekly, which he said is money that stays in the community.

The success of the farmer's market has created a spin-off community garden that Extension will organize this year. About 120 people are expected to grow their own garden on the public land.

"It's kind of exciting," he said. "Those are the little things we do." The public garden area "gives people a sense of community."

The Luce County Extension office, said Director Nancy Victorson, also covers the western end of Mackinac County. The agency takes advantage of as many grants as they can, she said, and is given about $96,000 in support from the county.

One popular program offered for 30 years by the Luce County Extension office is Winter Break for Knowledge, a day-long event that offers about 30 enrichment classes. About 150 people from as far away as Cheboygan attend.

"We do a lot of collaborative things in the community," Ms. Victorson said, "where we work with other agencies and organizations."

The Extension office works with the school to coordinate an after school literacy program and it runs a program that teaches teens to learn to listen to their peers, to be aware of the signs that they may need help, and where to get them assistance.

The Extension office, she said, also teaches nutritional information and offers Master Gardener classes.

Across the state, any staffing cuts that will take place likely will not happen before the end of the year, even though the new state budget begins October 1. Based on MSU procedures, said Ms. Walk, a threemonth to four-month notification process is necessary when positions are reduced or eliminated.

"We understand the state is in a bad situation," she said. "We are hopeful it won't go through at the 50% level."

The Extension budgets fall under the responsibility of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for Higher Education, which is expected to begin putting the committee recommendations together this month.