For nearly a century, employees with the Cass County Michigan State University Extension office have assisted county farmers, youth and other residents enjoy the knowledge and support of the higher learning institution close to home.

The extension program celebrated its 100th birthday with the public on Thursday, during the meeting of the Cass County Board of Commissioners at their chambers in Cassopolis. The celebration kicked off a big evening for the local office, as the commissioners voted later that night to extend their partnership for another year. The board agreed to pay $77,731 to the university to maintain the extension, from Oct. 1, 2014, to Sept. 31, 2015.

The extension coordinator, Virginia Hentz, highlighted the work that their office, located across the hall from the meeting chambers, had done for residents throughout this past year.

“We do so many things with the extension with such little fanfare, as we’re often behind the scenes,” Hentz said. “We’re always happy to come in and tell you guys what we’re doing.”

Cass’ strong agricultural backbone plays well with the extension’s own historical strengths, Hentz said. In addition to hosting educational courses at their Cassopolis office, the extension also supports the county’s various 4-H clubs, helping local youth cultivate their passion for livestock.

“Our enrollment in Cass County is phenomenal. We have almost 800 kids in 4-H, and almost 300 volunteers and 30 clubs,” Hentz said. “People think that it’s all about the fair; but it isn’t, it’s about the educational programs throughout the year that our kids participate in and our volunteers work with them on.”

Hentz also praised her staff’s work with their entrepreneurial training this year, who provide counseling and other assistance to new business owners or businesses looking to expand, she said.

MSU has had a presence in Cass County since 1917, three years after the extension program began.

“We’ve operated with the county in partnership for that long, and we’ll continue to value that partnership as we go forward,” Hentz said.