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MSUE's Practical Home and Garden Workshop includes two home repair classes with an emphasis on safety and preventing and repairing damage and two yard and garden care classes that directed participants toward wise environmental landscaping decisions.   Here are the before and after photos from class participants.   Click the images to see a larger version.

Macomb County MSU Extension's Housing and Horticulture Programs teamed with Housing Opportunities of Macomb (HoM) and Sears-Eastland to provide an educational program for a targeted low-moderate income area in Warren, Macomb County's largest city.  HoM helped identify the neighborhood and Sears provided grant money specifically designated for home and yard improvements.  As a result of the program:

• 95% of the participants made visible enhancements to the façade of their home and yard encouraging a healthy community.
• Most had not cared for their lawn prior to the class and now see the benefits of a fertilization schedule with a healthy environment in mind.
• Many involved their children and other family members in the care and maintenance of their yard, building healthy families through encouragement of self-expression and creativity, outdoor activity and increased community participation.

According to the National Gardening Association:

• Landscaping can add 7-10% to the value of a home.
• Landscaping can save 20% on heating and cooling expenses.
• Making home improvements can promote self-sufficiency and pride in one's surroundings.

Guest speakers included Warren Blight Enforcement representative and a Macomb Co. Ground Water Steward.  The final class paired each student with an MSUE Master Gardener Volunteer to help with design plans and provid mentoring throughout the growing season.  After completing the classes and performing a cost analysis for their project(s), each graduate was eligible to receive a $400 certificate from Sears.

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