MSU Extension Shiawassee County

09/25/2025

A sad announcement:

Due to federal budget cuts to the federal SNAP-Ed Program, our time with Shiawassee MSU Extension is coming to an end. After nearly 40 years of combined service, Joe Hammontree and Candy Thick will be saying goodbye in just a few days. It’s hard to put into words what this work has meant to us. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of walking alongside so many amazing individuals and families. Teaching, encouraging, and learning just as much from them as they may have learned from us.

This program has been more than a job; it’s been a family and a purpose. We’ve shared laughter, challenges, growth, and countless memories with coworkers, partners, and the communities we’ve served. Saying goodbye isn’t easy, but we leave with full hearts and so much gratitude. Our last day will be September 20, 2025.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. We’ll carry these memories and friendships with us always.

Joe & Candy

Please enjoy this video of just a few of the amazing moments of our time here at MSU Extension.

08/13/2025

08/06/2025

It’s Fair week and the Shiawassee 4-H Council operates the 4-H Foodstand at the Fairgrounds. We go through so many pies and cookies and who is responsible for all of those? That’s right. Our very own cookie and pie experts!!!

Who better than our favorite young 4-H friends.

This week we will serve close to 1000 slices of pie and over 1500 cookies in the 4-H Foodstand.

Come see us at the Fair!!!

07/22/2025

The staff at the Shiawassee MSU Extension send our thoughts out to the family and friends of a young 4-H member who passed away. Carter Jones was a member of the Shiawassee County 4-H Program. He belonged to the Seymour Creek 4-H Club and the Durand FFA program. Such a huge loss to their community. Please keep this family in your thoughts.

Please follow the shared link for his obituary and more information.

View Carter Brent Jones's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/02/2025

Do you work with littles? Do you need your 10 training hours? This event may be for you! An all day event where you can earn your training hours for free! For more information or to register, just give me a call or email. Space is limited, so don’t wait.

06/22/2025

This Cooking Matters series will run 3 days a week for 2 weeks starting on July 22, 25. It will be held Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday (for 2 weeks) from 9:00 am - 10:30 am at Bryant Elementary School. No cost to participants. Must register, due to limited space. RSVP by calling Candy @ 989-743-2252 or emailing to thick@msu.edu.

06/19/2025

FREE Cooking Matters for Adults Classes – Coming Soon! Class dates/times/locations will be announced soon Currently securing and confirming those!

MSU Extension is excited to offer free Cooking Matters for Adults classes throughout the county, starting very soon! These classes are 6 weeks, 2 hours each week.

What’s in it for you?
Participants will enjoy interactive cooking demonstrations, engaging nutrition education discussions, and hands-on learning each week. As part of the class, you’ll receive take-home groceries to recreate recipes at home—your "homework" for the week!

Graduation Perks:
Upon successful completion of the series, graduates may choose a free graduation gift, such as:

Air Fryer

Electric Skillet

Electric Griddle

Slow Cooker

Interested in joining us?
Contact Joe Hammontree to join the participant list or learn more:
📞 989-743-2253
📧 hammont2@msu.edu

This program is made possible thanks to generous funding from the Cook Family Foundation.

06/16/2025

Sunday evening was all about the desserts. Cupcakes for dessert at dinner and our annual ice cream social before our final campfire. Our staff were able to gather for a group photo after the ice cream social. We have an absolutely amazing group of talented volunteers who give their time freely to make sure our camp successful. The kids were making fun of us as we tried to get our photo. Our volunteers range from a couple first timers to over 20 years of coming to camp. Today we have breakfast and cleanup and before we know it the bus will be here to take us all home. More pics will be coming!!

06/15/2025

With limited cell phone reception here is some photos from the first two days of Shiawassee 4-H summer camp at Camp Neyati!! Dinosaurs have taken over and we are having a ROARing good time. The weather has been amazing and these kids can out back a ton of food. We are currently working in sessions. Archery, outdoor cooking, arts and craffts, climbing wall, and so much more. We will be sure to post more as we have better reception.

05/22/2025

This Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
Our offices will be closed on Monday, May 26 as we pause to remember and reflect.
Let us never forget their courage, service, and sacrifice.

05/22/2025

Right here in Shiawassee County, SNAP-Ed Instructors Joe Hammontree and Candy Thick proudly bring nearly 40 years of combined experience helping our community thrive!

05/20/2025

Don’t forget to sign up for our weekend overnight summer camp experience. You do not need to be in 4-H, you do not need to live in Shiawassee County!

🦖⏰ Don't Forget — Shiawassee 4-H Camp Registration is Still Open! ⏰🦖

Spots are filling up fast for this year’s DINOSAUR-themed adventure at Camp Neyati!
📅 Camp Dates: June 14–16, 2025
📍 Location: Camp Neyati, Crooked Lake – Clare, MI
🔗 Register here: https://shiawassee4-Hcamp2025.4honline.com

✨ Reminder: All registration is completed through 4-H Online, and campers must be enrolled and approved in 4-H Online before registering for camp.

🏕️ Camp is open to youth ages 7–12 (as of January 1), and offers 3 days and 2 nights of games, campfires, archery, crafts, hiking, swimming, and even a special mural project for the 4-H Foodstand at the Shiawassee County Fairgrounds!

💬 Need help or a paper registration form? Call us at (989) 743-2251 — we’re happy to assist!

Let’s make this summer roar-some! 🦕🎨🔥🌳