MSU Extension welcomes Cheri Burk as new farm business management educator
Print
EmailCheri Burk will serve farmers in the Saginaw Valley and Thumb regions.
Cheri Burk is one of the newest members of the Michigan State University Extension farm management team, starting in December 2023. She is based in the Bay County office and serves the Saginaw Valley and Thumb region. Her focus is on farm record keeping, financial statements and decision-making systems.
A native of Bay County, Burk met her husband, Matt, shortly after high school graduation and was soon introduced to farm life. During planting and harvest, Matt works alongside his father and brother who are full-time crop farmers, with fields in Bay, Midland and Arenac counties. Burk and her husband also farm their own acreage and run an apple orchard.
Burk holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a Master of Business Administration with management information focus.
“I have always enjoyed accounting and data analysis, and I consider accounting systems and technology to be my strengths,” Burk said. “My goal is to make record keeping and reporting work easier for users with knowledge of new tools and technologies.”
Burk has over 13 years working in healthcare as an operations manager for a research institute, focusing on staffing, community outreach, grant writing, finances and fundraising. Prior to that, she served as a financial controller for a local manufacturer. She has also provided software consulting for clients throughout the state, assisting them in implementing enterprise resource planning software and custom databases and reporting.
“I am excited to work with all of you on any farm business concerns or questions you may have.” Burk said. “I hope to be able to be a resource for you as regulations and technologies change and evolve so that the changes can be a little less painful. My goal as an educator is to make sure MSU Extension remains relevant for those that utilize us and hopefully become another expert team member for you.”
If you have any questions concerning farm business management or have ideas of ways MSU Extension can better serve you, please contact Burk at 989-798-0879 or email burkcher@msu.edu. Her office is located at the Bay County MSU Extension Center in Bay City.
