Michigan State University Extension and Experiment Station Council
(State Council)

Philosophy
Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES) link the issues of concern in local communities with the research and teaching at the state’s land grant university. A network for organized citizen input at the local and state levels enhances that linkage. County Extension councils identify and prioritize issues, seek collaborations and resources, and communicate to others the importance of Extension’s educational programming. Citizen Advisory Councils help establish research priorities at the state’s 15 field stations. The MSU Extension and Experiment Station Council serves as a liaison between county councils, field station advisory groups and state agencies and organizations. Members are able to communicate to others (policymakers, organizations and agencies, university administrators etc.) the importance of the educational programming and the applied research from Michigan’s land grant university.

Purposes of State Council
• To provide a learning experience for council members that results in expanded networks and leadership opportunities.
• To facilitate the understanding of issues currently facing MSU Extension and MAES at the state level.
• To provide a network for communicating the availability and importance of MSU Extension’s educational programming and MAES’s research priorities to the general public; state government and departments and organizations involved with agriculture, families, youth, communities, business and industry and nonformal education.
• To provide a state level communication link between MSUE and MAES and the county Extension councils and the field station advisory groups, as well as selected statewide organizations and agencies.

Membership
• The MSU Extension and Experiment Station Council will have up to 25 members; three from each of the Southwest, North, Upper Peninsula, West Central and East Central Regions, four from the Southeast Region, and up to six additional members appointed by the directors of MSUE and MAES.
• Each member shall serve a two-year term. No member will serve more than two consecutive terms.
• The State Council Nominating committee reviews the nominations submitted by county Extension staff and field station coordinators.

Responsibilities of Members
• Develop an understanding of MSU Extension’s educational programming and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station’s research priorities.
• Be available to a group of counties to support and mentor county Extension councils as requested or as needed (regional representatives only); also link with MAES field stations as appropriate.
• Assist in hosting issues-focused conferences/events for county Extension councils, as well as regional leadership development events and other events as appropriate.
• Provide input to MSUE and MAES in setting priorities for new and existing educational programming and research.
• Assist MSUE and MAES in the evaluation of their educational and research efforts.
• Communicate with leaders and policy makers at all levels as a representative of MSUE and MAES.
• Actively serve as a representative of their region and/or organization.
• Review and analyze data to ensure that the mission and vision of MSUE and MAES and the interests and needs of clientele are represented on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, age or religion.

Meetings
The council meets quarterly and the meetings generally spans two days. Meals and lodging are provided and members are reimbursed for all travel to and from these quarterly meetings.

As amended 12-16-04