MSU Extension Offers Free Parenting Webinars and Farm Training for Grand Traverse
MSU Extension in Grand Traverse County is offering a free Building Early Emotional Skills for Parents webinar series Oct. 30 through Nov. 20, 2025, aimed at parents and caregivers of children ages 0 to 3. The extension office also lists related parenting and wellness courses and an application opening Nov. 1 for the 2026 Organic Farmer Training Program, providing practical resources for families, childcare providers and prospective farmers.
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Michigan State University Extension's Grand Traverse County page has posted a slate of educational offerings this fall that local families and prospective farmers should note. The centerpiece is an Online Building Early Emotional Skills for Parents webinar series running Oct. 30 through Nov. 20, 2025. The free program is targeted at parents and caregivers of children ages 0 to 3 and focuses on developing positive social emotional skills in early childhood. Sessions are scheduled from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Eastern time.
The extension page also lists related courses aimed at supporting caregivers and community wellness, including a Guiding Principles parenting course and an online mindfulness and sleep series. Separately, an application for the 2026 Organic Farmer Training Program opens Nov. 1, signaling an opportunity for residents interested in transitioning to organic production or expanding agricultural skills.
These offerings have practical importance for Grand Traverse County. Early childhood is a period when social emotional development shapes future learning and behavior, and access to evidence based parenting resources can strengthen local childcare capacity. For parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers, evening webinar times may help working families participate without sacrificing daytime obligations. For childcare providers, the curriculum can supplement in center or home based practices and help align local caregiving with broader child development standards.
The organic farmer training application opening is similarly consequential for the local economy. Grand Traverse County includes a mix of small farms and market oriented producers, and training programs can serve as a pipeline for new entrants into sustainable agriculture. By lowering informational and technical barriers, the program may support farm business development, local food supply resilience, and diversification of the county agricultural sector.
From a policy and long term perspective, these programs reflect two related trends in rural and semi urban communities. Investment in early childhood supports broader workforce and education goals by improving school readiness and reducing costs associated with later remediation. Investment in farmer training supports local food systems and can increase economic opportunities in rural areas through farm based entrepreneurship and value added production.
Residents interested in the webinar series or the organic farmer training application should consult the MSU Extension Grand Traverse County page for registration details and deadlines. Together these offerings represent accessible, no cost resources that target core community needs, from nurturing the county youngest children to building the next generation of local farmers.
