Food System Economic Partnership

Van V. Varner  
MSUE District Management Agent

Van Varner has served MSU Extension for 25 years as an Agent. He currently serves as a Business Management Agent for 11 counties in MSU Extension’s Southeast Region. His programs target management and forward planning for families and individuals.  Programs are in cooperation with agent staff in the 11 counties. He has served the Michigan Association of Agricultural Agents since the beginning of his career and officiated as its President in 2000.  He also served as the Michigan Council of Extension Associates (MCEA) President 2001.  2001-02 served as chair of the National Association of County Agriculture Agents (NACAA) Agricultural Economics Committee of the Professional Improvement Council. Mr. Varner participates as a member of the FIRM Area of Expertise Team.  He serves as field co-chair of the Economic Development Area of Expertise Team. Mr. Varner grew up on a cash crop farm in Midland County. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1975, taught Vocational Agriculture/Agri-Science for 3 years at Breckenridge High School, served as an MSU Extension Agricultural Agent in Huron County with crop responsibilities. He has also managed an investor owned dairy/cash crop farm in Monroe County, and served as Gratiot County MSUE Extension Director. As part of the Food System Economic Partnership, Mr. Varner represents the farm business management expertise of Michigan State University.