By Jennifer Champagne
Managing Editor
Alger County voters will decide Aug. 4 whether to renew the Michigan State University Extension millage that supports educational programs and services throughout the county.
The proposal would renew a 0.25-mill levy for five years, from 2027 through 2031. The request consists of a 0.2496-mill renewal of the existing levy and a 0.0004-mill restoration required because of the Headlee Amendment. If approved and fully levied in 2027, the millage is expected to generate about $130,809 in its first year.
The millage would cost property owners 25 cents for every $1,000 of taxable value. A home with a taxable value of $100,000 would pay about $25 annually.
MSU Extension is funded through a partnership among federal, state and county governments, with Michigan State University contributing additional financial support and statewide expertise. The county millage provides the local share of that partnership, helping secure the university’s investment while supporting educational programming in 4-H Youth Development, agriculture and agribusiness, child and family development, health and nutrition, the Master Gardener Volunteer Program and natural resources.
District 2 Director Erin Daines, who oversees MSU Extension programs in Alger, Marquette, Schoolcraft, Luce, Chippewa and Mackinac counties, said the local investment helps ensure residents have access to research-based education and experts across the university system.
“When residents support the millage, they’re investing in our partnership,” Daines said. “They’re helping make all of our services possible.”
That includes giving Alger County residents access to expertise from across the state, not just the staff based locally.
“If we don’t have someone housed right in Alger County, or even nearby, we bring those experts in from wherever they are in the state,” Daines said. “As a land-grant university, that’s what we do. We bring those experts to our communities so residents have access to the expertise they need.”
Residents also have access to MSU Extension’s Ask Extension service, which connects people with research-based answers on topics ranging from agriculture and gardening to natural resources and family health.
“We’re here for our communities,” Daines said. “Whatever our communities need, we work to find solutions. I don’t think people always realize how much Extension is there to help.”
One of the most visible Extension programs in Alger County is 4-H.
According to Alger County 4-H Program Coordinator Tyreen Prunick, about 234 youth are participating in local 4-H programming this year.
Programs offered throughout the year include the Apple Community Education Initiative, the Valley Spur Youth Ski Program, Spring Ball, U.P. 4-H Camp, Life of Lake Superior, Harvest Festival at The Farm in Chatham, Exploration Days and activities associated with both the Alger County Fair and the U.P. State Fair.
Prunick said the millage provides direct support for local staffing and educational opportunities.
“My role is 100% funded by the millage,” Prunick said. “Without it, there wouldn’t be someone here to connect local residents with MSU Extension’s programs, resources and educational opportunities.”
MSU Extension’s Alger County profile shows the county has a population of 9,497, with 93 farms encompassing 17,781 acres of farmland.
Under the ballot language, a “yes” vote would renew county funding for MSU Extension services through 2031. A “no” vote would end county funding after the 2026 tax levy, eliminating the local match that helps secure the university’s investment in the partnership.