Washtenaw celebrates 35 years of Project RED

Nearly 150 people gathered at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds April 16 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Project RED (Rural Education Days). 

One guest observed that it seemed more like a family reunion with all the hugging, story swapping and reminiscing. Project RED provides fun, interactive opportunities for third-grade students to develop a better understanding of and appreciation for the many ways farmers care by growing and producing safe food, caring for livestock and protecting the environment.

Representing Michigan Farm Bureau were President Ben LaCross; P&E Manager Tonia Ritter; and Dist. 3 Director Mike Fusilier. They expressed gratitude to the hundreds of volunteers and organizations that make the event possible, noting that now 30 county Farm Bureaus across Michigan have begun their own Projects RED after Washtenaw lead the way.

MSU Extension Director Dr. Quentin Tyler spoke to the program’s consistency, longevity and excellence in its mission of educating children and adults about agriculture and natural resources. 

Present at the event were three of Project RED’s original organizers: Farm Bureau members Susan Huehl, Holly Porter and Nancy Thelen. They reminisced over some of the original displays and discussed the 1992 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Kansas City, where the innovative new activity was named the top county Farm Bureau project in the country. 

Thelen shared some of the program’s history and recognized the hundreds of volunteers who help make every RED possible. She also presented certificates to organizations for their 35 years of continuous support. 

Among the honored guests sharing tributes from state and federal government: Dist. 12 U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Michigan House Dist. 23 Rep. Jason Morgan and Dist. 48 Rep. Jennifer Conlin.

Since its first launch, Project RED has racked up some impressive statistic: 

• Registrations for the 2025 Project RED totaled 2,483 students, teachers and parents, representing every school district in the county
• Another 30 organizations and businesses, and more than 300 volunteers, assisted over three days.
• Since its inception, Project RED has reached 80,522 students, teachers and chaperones with face-to-face programming.
• 400 adults and families have attended evening sessions.
• Project RED went virtual during COVID (2020-21), with materials provided directly to teachers and videos made by local volunteers were shared online.

Huge thanks to the anniversary event planning committee for their months of steadfast efforts that resulted in a beautiful evening of special guests, tributes, displays, archival slide show and dinner.