MSU Extension 4-H

Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan 4-H Foundation will co-host the Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration on Sat., Sept. 30 in East Lansing, Mich. The event will honor outstanding 4-H youth, alumni, volunteers, partners and staff and take place on the campus of Michigan State University at the Molecular Plant Sciences Building.

“We are excited to come together to celebrate the remarkable individuals that make up our 4-H community,” said Julie Chapin, state 4-H leader for Michigan and director of MSU Extension’s children and youth programs. “There is a rich history of 4-H in our state and there is a lot to celebrate, from our current youth to our outstanding alumni, and our dedicated volunteers to our commendable partners.”

The Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration will begin at 1 p.m. with a reception and light refreshments. The official program and awards ceremony will begin at 1:45 p.m. These awards are provided by Michigan 4-H Youth Development with support from the Michigan 4-H Foundation.

“We’re grateful to continue this strong partnership of recognizing Michigan’s outstanding 4-H community through a day of celebration and camaraderie,” said Abbey Miller, director of the Michigan 4-H Foundation. “We look forward to saluting this year’s honorees with our 4-H friends and family.”

Reservations may be made for $50 per person. Please make reservations by Sept. 15 online or by check to the Michigan 4-H Foundation (mail to 446 West Circle Drive, Room 160, East Lansing, Mich. 48824).

Awardees to be honored at the event are:

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.

• Michael and Winifred Tate
• Michigan Community Service Commission

4-H EMERALD CLOVER SOCIETY CLASS OF 2022

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.

• Gail Frahm, Saginaw
• Larry Gould, Morenci
• Jon Hausserman, Fenwick
• Janel Horrocks-Boehmer, Williamston
• Alice Kempf, Holton
• Karen Kolberg Kietzer, Stevensville
• Dian Liepe, Pullman
• Sarah Jean Pion, Cassopolis
• Rachele Ramirez, Birch Run
• Melissa Ann Souva, Bronson
• Schawna Thoma, Anchorage, Alaska
• Mary Yeomens, Midland

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.

• Michelle McNamara, Centerville
• Kim Wright, Vulcan

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.

2023

• Kathryn Bell, Bloomfield Township
• Marie Currell, North Branch
• Melissa LaForest, Belleville
• Dione Oliver, Alpena

2022

• David Cox, Jackson
• Vicki Rau, West Branch
• Karen Scovill, Laingsburg

2021

• Dave Galer, Shelby Township
• Madaline Knight, Whitehall

2020

• Stacy Hough, Blanchard
• Cristie Warren, Manchester

2019

• Beth Clark, Corunna
• Vera Kempf, Holton
• Andrew Walker, West Branch

At the event, 2023 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.