MSU SOUTHWEST

Got Dirt? BKC programing teaching the fundamentals of starting a fruit and vegetable garden. Light refreshments provided. No cost. At the MSUE Eaton County Office. To register call 269-945-1388 or 800-258-5440. Class limited to 20 participants.

Alternative Energy Option Workshop. Providing information about corn burning and other alternative energy options. At the Kalamazoo County Nazareth Complex Georgian Room. For more information contact Jeanne Himmelein at 269-384-8010 or himmele1@msu.edu.

DEADLINE to register for Southwest Michigan 4-H Leadermete. See description on March 15 entry, below.

14th Annual 4-H Benefit Auction. Scotts Community Center. To see list of items, see Kalamazoo 4-H website at: www.kalcounty.com/4h/.

Science: It's Everywhere! BKC program at the Clarksville Horticulture Station to bring science into daycare settings using inexpensive, easy-to-find materials. Light refreshments provided. No cost. Class limited to 20 participants. To register call: 269-945-1388 or 800-258-5440.

Southwest Michigan 4-H Leadermete. Sponsored by the Southwest Regional 4-H Educators. Location: Kellogg Biological Station. There will be three sessions to attend during the day. Registration forms are available at your local MSU Extension Office. Registration deadline is February 15.

Kalamazoo County 4-H Horse Leaders Tack Sale. Open to public. Donation: $1/person, children under 5 are free. Location: Kalamazoo County Fair Grounds, 2900 Lake Street, Kalamazoo. For questions, call 269-342-2417.

Vegetable Gardening 101. Offered each Monday evening through April 28. The class is designed for those who would like to begin growing their own vegetables or for those gardeners who would like to improve their gardening skills. Classes are taught by Advanced Master Gardeners. Curriculum and handouts will be provided. Registration deadline is March 15, 2008. Cost: $25/person. Contact Linda Whitlock, Kalamazoo MSUE at 269-383-8815 or whitlo13@msu.edu. To print a registration, go to: www.kalcounty.com/msue/homehortindex.htm.

Citizen Planner. Wednesdays starting 4/23, and running through 6/4. A 7-part program for planning commissioners, zoning board members, and others interested in learning about facing the challenges posed by community growth and development. Graduates will receive a certificate upon completing the course. Held at the Charleston Township Hall, 14995 38th St., Galesburg MI 49053. Cost: $385 for seven sessions or $75 for individual sessions. Includes educational materials, notebook and refreshments. Registration deadline is April 18. For information contact Mark Thomas, Kalamazoo MSU Extension at 269-384-8061. Register online at http://web2.msue.msu.edu/citizen_planner/kalamazoo08.htm.

2nd Annual Spring Livestock Auction & Related Items Sale. 10828 34th Street, Vicksburg MI. Sponsored by the Kalamazoo 4-H Goat Project.

Pork Quality Assurance Training. By Kalamazoo County. At the County fairgrounds, Room B & C. RSVP to the 4-H office at Kalamazoo MSUE, 269-383-8830.

9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

2nd Annual Plant & Flower Sale. At the Kalamazoo County Health & Consumer Services Building, Walnut Room, 3299 Gull Road, Kalamazoo. Held by the Master Gardeners of Kalamazoo County. Payment is by cash or checks only. Information on plant health care will be available at the Master Gardener booth and several plant societies will also have information on hand. This fundraiser helps support the Master Gardener Volunteer program. Contact: Linda Whitlock, Consumer Horticulture Coordinator, Kalamazoo MSUE at 269-383-8815 or by email at whitlo13@msu.edu.

Tasty Travels. Global Education program from the Jackson MSUE 4-H Youth council. Taste test entrees from around the world and learn about cultures and traditions of different countries through hands-on activities. Discover more about the 4-H International Exchange program. RSVP to Jackson MSUE by 5/8/08 at 517-788-4292

Sewing Basics. Sewing workshop at the Jackson MSUE Office. RSVP required. 517-788-4292

Sewing with Wool. Sewing workshop at the Jackson MSUE Office. RSVP required. 517-788-4292

4-H Livestock Camp. At the Branch County Fairgrounds, Coldwater. Registration begins March 5th at the 4-H office. Cost: $100, and must have chaperon who has completed the Volunteer Selection Process. Registration forms available at the Branch 4-H office and on the Branch County 4-H web page.

Kinship Care Program for Raising Relative Children. Free workshop for kinship families. Classes run from June 24 through August 12 on consecutive Tuesdays. Location: St. Joseph Catholic Church, 936 Lake Street, Kalamazoo. Education/resource sharing/support. Adult sessions include legal issues, school & community, financial questions, handling stress, parenting skills. Children's topics include enhancing self-esteem, increasing social skills, recognizing & expressing emotions correctly. Free child care for all ages, light breakfast, and give-aways. Special program for children ages 3-7. For more information call 269-384-8054.

Eaton County Fair.

Barry County Fair.

Van Buren County Fair.

Ionia County Fair.

Lenawee County Fair.

Clinton County Fair

Ingham County Fair

Cass County Fair

Ingham County Fair.

Cass County Fair.

Shiawassee County Fair.

Jackson County Fair.

Branch County Fair.

Kalamazoo County Fair.

Calhoun County Fair.

Berrien County Fair.

Allegan County Fair.

St. Joseph County Fair.

Hillsdale County Fair.

DATE	TIME	EVENT
Feb. 5	6:00 - 8:00 p.m.	Got Dirt? BKC programing teaching the fundamentals of starting a fruit and vegetable garden. Light refreshments provided. No cost. At the MSUE Eaton County Office. To register call 269-945-1388 or 800-258-5440. Class limited to 20 participants.
Feb. 11	5:30 - 8:30 p.m.	Alternative Energy Option Workshop. Providing information about corn burning and other alternative energy options. At the Kalamazoo County Nazareth Complex Georgian Room. For more information contact Jeanne Himmelein at 269-384-8010 or himmele1@msu.edu.
Feb. 15		DEADLINE to register for Southwest Michigan 4-H Leadermete. See description on March 15 entry, below.
Feb. 23	Begins 9:30 a.m.	14th Annual 4-H Benefit Auction. Scotts Community Center. To see list of items, see Kalamazoo 4-H website at: www.kalcounty.com/4h/.

DATE	TIME	EVENT
March 11	6:00 - 8:00 p.m.	Science: It's Everywhere! BKC program at the Clarksville Horticulture Station to bring science into daycare settings using inexpensive, easy-to-find materials. Light refreshments provided. No cost. Class limited to 20 participants. To register call: 269-945-1388 or 800-258-5440.
March 15	Begins at 8:45 a.m.	Southwest Michigan 4-H Leadermete. Sponsored by the Southwest Regional 4-H Educators. Location: Kellogg Biological Station. There will be three sessions to attend during the day. Registration forms are available at your local MSU Extension Office. Registration deadline is February 15.
March 17	5:00 - 9:00 p.m.	Kalamazoo County 4-H Horse Leaders Tack Sale. Open to public. Donation: $1/person, children under 5 are free. Location: Kalamazoo County Fair Grounds, 2900 Lake Street, Kalamazoo. For questions, call 269-342-2417.
March 24	7:00 - 9:00 p.m.	Vegetable Gardening 101. Offered each Monday evening through April 28. The class is designed for those who would like to begin growing their own vegetables or for those gardeners who would like to improve their gardening skills. Classes are taught by Advanced Master Gardeners. Curriculum and handouts will be provided. Registration deadline is March 15, 2008. Cost: $25/person. Contact Linda Whitlock, Kalamazoo MSUE at 269-383-8815 or whitlo13@msu.edu. To print a registration, go to: www.kalcounty.com/msue/homehortindex.htm.

DATE	TIME	EVENT

April 23	6:30 - 9:00 p.m.	Citizen Planner. Wednesdays starting 4/23, and running through 6/4. A 7-part program for planning commissioners, zoning board members, and others interested in learning about facing the challenges posed by community growth and development. Graduates will receive a certificate upon completing the course. Held at the Charleston Township Hall, 14995 38th St., Galesburg MI 49053. Cost: $385 for seven sessions or $75 for individual sessions. Includes educational materials, notebook and refreshments. Registration deadline is April 18. For information contact Mark Thomas, Kalamazoo MSU Extension at 269-384-8061. Register online at http://web2.msue.msu.edu/citizen_planner/kalamazoo08.htm.
April 26	10:00 a.m.	2nd Annual Spring Livestock Auction & Related Items Sale. 10828 34th Street, Vicksburg MI. Sponsored by the Kalamazoo 4-H Goat Project.
April 29	6:30 p.m.	Pork Quality Assurance Training. By Kalamazoo County. At the County fairgrounds, Room B & C. RSVP to the 4-H office at Kalamazoo MSUE, 269-383-8830.

DATE	TIME	EVENT
May 9-10	9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.	2nd Annual Plant & Flower Sale. At the Kalamazoo County Health & Consumer Services Building, Walnut Room, 3299 Gull Road, Kalamazoo. Held by the Master Gardeners of Kalamazoo County. Payment is by cash or checks only. Information on plant health care will be available at the Master Gardener booth and several plant societies will also have information on hand. This fundraiser helps support the Master Gardener Volunteer program. Contact: Linda Whitlock, Consumer Horticulture Coordinator, Kalamazoo MSUE at 269-383-8815 or by email at whitlo13@msu.edu.
May 16	6:30 p.m.	Tasty Travels. Global Education program from the Jackson MSUE 4-H Youth council. Taste test entrees from around the world and learn about cultures and traditions of different countries through hands-on activities. Discover more about the 4-H International Exchange program. RSVP to Jackson MSUE by 5/8/08 at 517-788-4292

DATE	TIME	EVENT
June 2	6:30 - 8:30 p.m.	Sewing Basics. Sewing workshop at the Jackson MSUE Office. RSVP required. 517-788-4292

June 23	6:30 - 8:30 p.m.	Sewing with Wool. Sewing workshop at the Jackson MSUE Office. RSVP required. 517-788-4292
June 23-25	All Day	4-H Livestock Camp. At the Branch County Fairgrounds, Coldwater. Registration begins March 5th at the 4-H office. Cost: $100, and must have chaperon who has completed the Volunteer Selection Process. Registration forms available at the Branch 4-H office and on the Branch County 4-H web page.
June 24	9:00 a.m. - Noon	Kinship Care Program for Raising Relative Children. Free workshop for kinship families. Classes run from June 24 through August 12 on consecutive Tuesdays. Location: St. Joseph Catholic Church, 936 Lake Street, Kalamazoo. Education/resource sharing/support. Adult sessions include legal issues, school & community, financial questions, handling stress, parenting skills. Children's topics include enhancing self-esteem, increasing social skills, recognizing & expressing emotions correctly. Free child care for all ages, light breakfast, and give-aways. Special program for children ages 3-7. For more information call 269-384-8054.