October 30, 2009
In radio address, governor says MSU Extension will spur innovation, economic development
LANSING - In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today applauded Michigan State University's restructuring of MSU Extension to help support, develop and expand the state's green economy.
"For almost a century, the services provided by MSU Extension have concentrated on assisting farmers and our state's agricultural community," Granholm said. "Now MSU Extension is transforming itself into a 21st century organization, one that will broaden its scope and help grow Michigan's green economy."
"While agriculture and its role in the green economy will continue to be important for MSU Extension, there will also be new areas of emphasis," Granholm continued. "MSU Extension will assist local communities across Michigan in working together for regional prosperity. And it will focus on specific areas such as energy efficiency and renewable energy."
In the field of renewable energy, MSU Extension will assist in developing community-based wind and solar energy projects as well as support the growth of biomass-based companies. Biomass is plant material used to produce energy. MSU's Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, partnering with MSU Extension, already is working on biomass and energy issues.
"As Michigan continues to grow its green economy, MSU Extension will be there to help," Granholm said. "Its new programs and partnerships will spur innovation, economic development and regional cooperation. As we build a new economy based on clean energy, we can all agree that now is the time to ‘Go Green.'"
The governor's weekly radio address is released each Friday morning and may be heard on broadcast stations across the state. The address is available for download on the governor's Web site at
www.michigan.gov/gov
together with a clip of the quote above. The radio address is also available as a podcast on the Web site as well as on iTunes and via RSS feed for general distribution to personal MP3 players and home computers. Links to the audio files and text of today's address follow.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
Radio Address - MSU Extension
Hello, this is Governor Jennifer Granholm.
At Michigan State University, the words "Go Green" now have a new meaning, as in "green economy."
For almost a century, the services provided by MSU Extension have concentrated on assisting farmers and our state's agricultural community. And now MSU Extension is transforming itself into a 21st century organization, one that will broaden its scope and help to grow Michigan's green economy.
This is a work in progress. MSU Extension has developed a vision and programs for supporting and promoting a green economy and is now seeking feedback from its external partners like state government. Structural changes in MSU Extension will be announced in the months ahead.
While agriculture and its role in the green economy will continue to be important for MSU Extension, there will also be new areas of emphasis. MSU Extension will assist local communities across Michigan in working together for regional prosperity, and it'll focus on specific areas such as energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Using energy efficiently is the lowest-cost way to help meet our future energy needs. Making houses more energy efficient not only reduces utility bills for homeowners, it also creates green jobs for the people who install the insulation and perform other energy-saving work.
In the field of renewable energy, MSU Extension will assist in developing community-based wind and solar energy projects as well as support the growth of biomass-based companies. Biomass is plant material that's used to produce energy. MSU's Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, partnering with MSU Extension, already is working on biomass and energy issues.
Another focal point for the new MSU Extension will be urban farming and regional food systems.
Many people in our state's large urban areas don't have enough access to fresh produce. That's because there's a lack of grocery stores in many of our cities, and many residents don't have the means to shop at grocery stores outside the city. So as a result, many people living in urban areas have high obesity rates and disproportionate rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Urban farms can take vacant lots in our cities and put them to productive use, growing fresh fruits and vegetables for people who otherwise wouldn't be able to get them.
As Michigan continues to grow its green economy, MSU Extension will be there to help. Its new programs and partnerships will spur innovation, economic development and regional cooperation. As we build a new economy based on clean energy, we can all agree that now is the time to "Go Green."
Thank you for listening.
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