MSU Extension 4-H

Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan 4-H Foundation will co-host the third Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration on Saturday, October 3 in Lansing, Mich. The event will honor outstanding 4-H youth, alumni, volunteers, partners and staff and take place at the University Club of Michigan State University.

“We are excited to be back in 2026 hosting our third Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards,” said Jodi Schulz, state 4-H leader for Michigan and co-director of MSU Extension’s children and youth programs. “This bi-annual event celebrates and recognizes the remarkable people who have helped shape our 4-H community’s success.”

The Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration will begin at 11 a.m. with a reception. A brief program will start at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch. The program and awards ceremony will resume at approximately 12:45 p.m. Awards for the celebration are provided by Michigan 4-H Youth Development with support from the Michigan 4-H Foundation.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to come together to celebrate our exceptional alumni, youth, volunteers, partners and staff,” said Abbey Miller, director of the Michigan 4-H Foundation. “We welcome others to join us for this day of camaraderie and recognition.”

Reservations may be made for $75 per person. Please make reservations by September 18 online or by check to the Michigan 4-H Foundation (mail to 446 West Circle Drive, Room 160, East Lansing, Mich. 48824).

“Whether they’re a current or former 4-H’er, a 4-H volunteer, a key partner or a dedicated member of our staff, these folks are so deserving of our thanks, recognition and applause,” said Lisa Bottomley, co-director of MSU Extension’s children and youth programs. “We look forward to joining with the 4-H community in October to do just that.”

Awardees to be honored at the event are as follows.

MICHIGAN 4-H CITATION AWARDS

The Michigan 4-H Citation Award recognizes individuals and organizations whose contributions to and support of Michigan 4-H Youth Development programs have significantly advanced the work of Michigan 4-H on a multicounty, regional, statewide and national basis.

• Julie Chapin, Portland
• Thomas Coon, Portage
• Sandra Clarkson Stuckman, DeWitt

4-H EMERALD CLOVER SOCIETY CLASS OF 2026

The Emerald Clover Society celebrates individuals who had significant 4-H involvement as youth and who have made significant contributions to their local, state and national communities.

• Dalen W. Agnew, Williamston
• Beverly K. Ferris Hain, Jenison
• Benjamin J. LaCross, Lake Leelanau
• Elizabeth A. Manwell, Canton
• State Rep. Gerald A. Neyer, Shepherd
• Judith K. Paulsen, Hartland
• Jackie A. Rider, Durand
• Roxanne S. Turner, Fowlerville
• Emma J. Young, Detroit

MICHIGAN 4-H SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE AWARDS

The 4-H Salute to Excellence Awards honor outstanding volunteers for their dedication to youth. Honorees will be recognized in multiple categories. The Lifetime Volunteer Award is presented to a 4-H volunteer who has spent 10 or more years volunteering for 4-H and the Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to a 4-H volunteer with less than 10 years of service. These awards are funded by the Michigan 4-H Volunteer Recognition Fund.

2026

• Jean Martin, Ann Arbor
• Bryan Shirk, Coldwater

2025

• Lynn Olthof, Spring Lake

MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU 4-H EXCELLENCE IN AGRICULTURE AWARDS

The Michigan Farm Bureau 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes outstanding Michigan 4-H volunteers or groups that have exhibited excellence in 4-H youth education and leadership development in the areas of 4-H beef cattle; dairy cattle; goats; horses; horticulture, crops and soils; poultry; rabbits; sheep; swine; and veterinary science.

2026

• Cathy Fry, Lakeview
• Erica Drake, Ann Arbor
• Melissa Gordon, Carleton
• Bryan Shirk, Coldwater
• Michelle Short, Armada

2025

• Brigitte Grobbel, DeWitt
• Genevieve Hecht, Reese
• Michelle Holladay, Hart
• Tyler Labadie and Garrett Thompson, Vermontville
• Jennifer Laux, Frankenmuth

At the event, 2025 and 2026 fifty-year 4-H volunteers, MSU 4-H Scholarship winners, and MSU Extension 4-H retirees will also be acknowledged.

The Michigan 4-H Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization which supports Michigan 4-H Youth Development. For more information about the Michigan 4-H Foundation, visit https://www.mi4hfdtn.org/.  Michigan 4-H Youth Development is the youth-serving program of Michigan State University Extension. Thousands of youth are involved in 4-H with the support of caring adult volunteers. For more information about Michigan 4-H, visit www.canr.msu.edu/4h.