February 23 - April 29, 2013

 This program is designed for anyone interested in current conservation issues, outdoor recreation, nature study, natural area management, and a variety of other topics such as lake/stream monitoring and habitat restoration.  Through participation in this program, you will learn essential strategies to help restore and conserve ecosystems in Oakland County and throughout Michigan.

 Michigan State University Extension is offering the Michigan Conservation Stewards Program in Oakland County.  This is a great opportunity to learn about conservation and natural science and assume critical leadership roles through volunteering your time, knowledge and skills in conservation management in your community.

There are 9 evening classes and 3 Saturday classes.  The series of classes, led by experts in various fields of conservation and natural resources, will include lectures, interactive learning and field experience.  Cost is $275.  Click here for an application packet.

 Contact:  Linda Smith at 248-858-0887.

January 9 - March 20, 2013

Michigan State University Extension is offering a series of 5 on-line webinars for beginning farmers.  Each 2-hour, evening webinar will cover a different small farm enterprise.  The webinars focus on northern Michigan, but are relevant statewide and throughout the Midwest.  Webinars include:

Getting Started with Grazing, January 9, 2013

Getting Started with Grass-finished Beef, January 23, 2013

Getting Started with Field Crops and Hay, February 6, 2013

Getting Started with Field-grown Vegetables, February 27, 2013

Getting Started with Hoophouses, March 20, 2013

Each of the sessions will run from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. EST. You can view the sessions on-line or at one of the group viewing sites in Marquette, MI and Sault Ste. Marie, MI, or at a “live” site where a presenter will be on-site (grazing and grass-finished beef webinars only).  Cost is $15 per session and an addition $5.00 for copies of the handouts at a viewing or live site. Handouts will be available to download in pdf format at no cost.  Register on-line or contact Alger County MSU Extension, 906-387-2530 or e-mail for more information and a registration form.

January 15, 2013 

6:30-8:00 pm, Auburn Hills Public Library

RSVP to 248-370-9466

OR

January 28, 2013

7:00-8:30 pm, Royal Oak Public Library

RSVP to 248-246-3715

During this first of four sessions, you will learn how to create a personal balance sheet, calculate your net worth and create a cash flow statement. Going beyond the numbers, you’ll learn about the deep interrelationship between your assets and liabilities and how the various categories of each affect your actual net worth and your perceived net worth.  You’ll also learn about the three basic financial asset classes:  stocks, bonds and cash; their uses within your balance sheet and their contribution to your net worth. We’ll also discuss the differences between consumption, saving, and investing and how they affect your present and future self.