[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 59 (Friday, May 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               KEN KERNSTOCK: HELPING ARENAC COUNTY GROW

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2002

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ken Kernstock 
upon his retirement after 21 years as the Arenac County, Michigan, 
Extension Director. Ken's exemplary work as an educator on agricultural 
issues has had a tremendously positive impact on the farming community 
and the learning seeds he has planted with future farmers will reap 
benefits for Arenac County for generations. Ken's wife, Kay, their son, 
Robert, and daughters, Linda and Sandra, also deserve high praise for 
their unselfish support of Ken's career.
  After earning a bachelor's degree in agricultural education and a 
master's degree in vocational education from Michigan State University, 
Ken taught high school before beginning his career as an agricultural 
agent and district farm management agent with the MSU Extension in 
1976. In 1981, Ken earned an appointment as the Arenac County Extension 
Director, a post he held until his retirement this year. Throughout his 
tenure, Ken used his extensive skills to implement and hone many 
educational programs for the agricultural community. Ken has 
consistently gone above and beyond the requirements of his job to reach 
out to hard-working farm families and others.
  Growers often point to the many workshops and studies Ken undertook 
to improve farming techniques and assist farmers in finding new methods 
to increase efficiency and productivity. Ken modestly credits others 
for his success, but he has clearly been the engine that drove the 
Extension for many years. In particular, he worked with the crops and 
soil department on a three-year plant food study that demonstrated the 
effectiveness of fertilizer recommendations based on soil samples. He 
also organized numerous workshops and co-chaired an agricultural study 
tour of Mexico.
  Ken also has been a sparkplug in the economic growth of the area by 
training future leaders and encouraging development. He organized and 
ran several leadership development programs, including one that led to 
the reactivation of the Arenac County Economic Development Corporation. 
In addition, he was instrumental in conducting county-wide assessments 
and he led the Arenac County Strategic Planning process. Ken's 
dedication and hard work also made a real difference in assisting local 
businesses in entrepreneurial training.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing 
gratitude to Ken Kernstock for his distinguished service and in wishing 
him success in all future endeavors. I am confident that the seeds he 
sowed on behalf of the agricultural community in Arenac County and 
throughout the state will continue to bear fruit for many years to 
come.

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