In-Depth Session Title
|
Session Details
|
Program Area
|
Description
|
|
Brews and Market Extravaganza
|
Offsite (bus required)
$65.00
|
Community and Economic Development, Food and Nutrition, Food Safety |
Grand Rapids is home to Founders Brewing Company which opened its doors in 1997 by Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers- who share a passion for entrepreneurship and beer-making. Founders Brewing Co. has grown to become the largest brewery in Michigan, with taprooms in Grand Rapids and Detroit and distribution in all 50 states. Your tour will include catwalk views of the production facility along with a Q&A session with various employees from the admin and production departments. Beer is a great connector of people, and the taproom is just the place to share stories and enjoy Founders Brewing Co. beer. Cheers!
Following the Founders tour, we will proceed to the GR Downtown Market to learn about the incubator kitchen and how local businesses utilize it at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. Shop for tea, coffee, and other delicacies at over 20 businesses in the market hall. See pieces of art from Art Prize. Shop the Market Hall business at the end of the tour.
|
|
Grand Rapids Art Scene
|
Offsite (bus required)
$65.00
|
Sustainable Living: Textiles, Clothing, Housing, Environment) |
Take a very short walk (2/10 of a mile-5 minutes) to the Grand Rapids Art Museum to take part in a guided tour of their collection (1 hour). Then the group will proceed to a bus city tour of Grand Rapids where permanent Art Prize and other art exhibits will be featured. “ArtPrize is an international art competition and cultural festival held annually in Grand Rapids, Michigan—a celebration of ideas, conversations, experimentation, and inclusiveness. Each year, we welcome over 800,000 visitors to discover the transformative power of art. You'll find awe-inspiring sculptures, installations, paintings, and more - all through Grand Rapids streets, parks, galleries, and restaurants.”
|
|
Holland History and Coastal Experience
|
Offsite (bus required)
$65.00
|
Community and Economic Development |
Take a tour of one Michigan's favorite lakeside towns, Holland, Michigan. Learn about their downtown development, snowmelt system, tourism and the history of this Dutch settlement. This tour will also visit the shores of Lake Michigan with a visit at the Big Red lighthouse, one of Michigan's many Great Lake lighthouses. A bus brings attendees back to Downtown Holland for one hour to explore the award-winning downtown with more than 100 unique shops. Enjoy cheese tasting at Culture Cheese shop or wine tasting at Cherry Republic on your own. |
|
An Apple A Day, Grown in West Michigan
|
Offsite (bus required)
$65.00
|
|
Tour the apple industry in west Michigan. Michigan ranks #3 in apple production and Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm is an integral part of the apple industry. It has been in the same family for over 100 years - learn how the farm has changed to meet consumer demands during a tour of the farm. The farm also has a farmer's market which sells its own produce, a tasting room Pink Barrel Cellars (craft beers, wine, ciders), U-Pick apples, and a restaurant. After the tour you can explore the farm!
*If you have food allergies, please note that their food is cooked on one grill.
|
|
Furniture Making Traditions: Past and Present
|
Offsite (bus required)
$65.00
|
Sustainable Living: Textiles, Clothing, Housing, Environment; Community and Economic Development |
Participants will experience how high-quality furniture was made from a century ago until today. Grand Rapids has a history making high-quality residential and office furniture. Tour the Van Andel Public Museum's historical furniture exhibit Archives as well as get a behind the scenes tour at the Community Archives and Research Center. Participants will be inspired to create quality learning environments to meet the changing needs of students and teachers. |
|
Team Building Cooking Challenge
|
Offsite (bus required)
$110.00
|
Leadership Development & Food and Nutrition |
The Local Epicurean brings teams together through the experience of cooking. Teams create their own tiramisu or British trifle from a mystery crate of ingredients in this popular dessert challenge. The teams will create enough of their dessert for all the teams to taste. |
|
Vine to Wine: A Journey Through Excellence
|
Offsite (bus required)
$65.00
|
Food & Beverage, Packaging and Distribution, Marketing, Management |
For over one hundred years, St. Julian Winery has piloted the Michigan wine industry. As the longest operating, largest, and most-awarded winery in the state, their commitment to excellence has always been a pillar to their existence. They offer their customers the very best, from award-winning dry and sweet wines, to hard ciders and spirits. Tour their facility, see the backroom of the operation, learn about the operations and the history of the company, taste wine and talk about the wines that are being sampled.
Hear from a MSU Extension Viticulture Educator and learn about Extension’s role in this industry.
|
|
Service Project: Kids Food Basket
|
Offsite (bus required)
$65.00
|
Addressing food insecurity |
Volunteer to help prep food at Kids Food Basket. Working collaboratively to meet the needs of every child and family they serve, Kids Food Basket aims to pursue a hunger-free West Michigan. Not all kids have consistent access to nutritious meals. Let’s join forces and do something about it. Working together, we can play a small role to ensure that local students have access to healthy, life-affirming food to help them thrive and foster their limitless potential.
Attendees will tour the farm, food storage, and preparation facilities.
Please wear appropriate attire to volunteer, which includes clothes you would not mind getting dirty. Our production floor/warehouse can get hot or cold depending on time of year, please dress with consideration for weather.
Hairnets and beard/facial nets (as applicable) must be worn by all volunteers working with open food. These items will be made available to you prior to the start of your volunteer shift.
|
|
Housing for All: Tour of Home Repair Services
|
Offsite (bus required)
$65.00
|
Financial education, food and nutrition |
Home Repair Services is a Grand Rapids nonprofit that serves eight counties in western Michigan with repair services (for eligible low-income homeowners), accessibility modifications, a fix-it school, housing counseling and financial education, and post-purchase home inspections. The visit will include a presentation on the history of the organization, a tour, and a hands-on class in the fix-it school where participants will get to learn and practice a home improvement skill. The visit will also include a stop at the Community Food Club, a food security program that shares the building with Home Repair Services and provides low-income residents with healthy food in a way that prioritizes their dignity.
|
|
Unleashing the Power of AI - a practical introduction for Extension staff
|
Onsite at Hotel
$50.00
|
Information technology |
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the globe, and education is no exception. This session will introduce you to the foundational concepts of AI, Michigan State University guidance, and explore its potential applications for designing educational content. The session will also include a demonstration of AI tools and suggestions for writing prompts that get you the best results. |
