EAST LANSING, Mich. – Outstanding Michigan 4-H alumni, volunteers, youth, staff and partners were recognized at the 2024 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration on Sept. 25 in East Lansing. Awards presented at the event are among some of Michigan 4-H’s highest honors.

“There is so much to celebrate in our Michigan 4-H community,” said Jodi Schulz, state 4-H leader for Michigan and co-director of Michigan State University Extension’s children and youth programs. “The Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards are an opportunity to recognize and thank just a few of the amazing individuals who are a part of that community.”

Lisa Bottomley, co-director of the MSU program, said, “Our honorees have made so many contributions to their communities, their professions and to Michigan 4-H. They truly reflect the very best that 4-H has to offer and are so deserving of this recognition and celebration.”

Highlighting this awards night was presentation of the Michigan Farm Bureau 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Awards, which recognize 4-H volunteers who exhibit excellence in 4-H youth education and leadership in agriculture-related areas. Those recipients included Rick Gould and Kevin Yeager, of St. Joseph County, Charity Hackett, of Berrien County, Angela Oakman, of Washtenaw County, Mandy Rogers, of Washtenaw County, and Donna Budd, of Wayne County.

Anyone in the St. Joseph County 4-H swine project area who has questions knows who to ask: two-year volunteer Gould and 36-year volunteer Yeager.

Whether they’re helping 4-Hers find their next fair project animal, helping another increase the growth rate of their pig, or teaching a third about proper swine care, Gould and Yeager are known for making learning fun and getting youth excited about raising pigs.

To promote the swine industry, Gould and Yeager take time to teach young people in several settings, including the Burr Oak 4-H Club, the Rolling Clovers 4-H Club and countywide meetings. They cover industry topics such as feeding, caring, meat cuts, swine body parts, pig breeds, showmanship and animal selection.

“My greatest reward is seeing the kids excel not only at the county level but at the state level as well,” Yeager said. “Being able to see them gain confidence in themselves as they progress through the years to the end of their 4-H experience. They have then returned as leaders themselves.”

Gould said, “It’s so rewarding when you see the kids use something you taught them in the show ring and they come out of the ring with that big smile, knowing they did great.”

Hackett is the club coordinator for the We Can Ride 4-H Club, one of the largest 4-H clubs in Berrien County, which focuses on individuals with disabilities. In addition to supporting young riders, Hackett emphasizes the development of the club’s teen leaders, encouraging them to pursue further education and leadership opportunities.

“Being part of a Proud Equestrians Program fills your bucket, watching riders find a voice when they are nonverbal,” Hackett said. 

Oakman has been a volunteer for the Washtenaw County 4-H program for five years, working with the Hooves and Paws 4-H Club and encouraging members to take charge of meetings, organize events and create community service opportunities.

 “My heart is happiest when I can help kids find their voice, learn deeply about the animals they love, and find community and trust,” Oakman said.

Beyond her club activities, Oakman serves as the Washtenaw County hippology coach, where she organizes weekly study sessions, brings in equine professionals, and recruits new members. Oakman also volunteers at the Washtenaw County 4-H Fair, assistant with the horse board and in the announcer’s box.

Rogers has been an active volunteer in the Washtenaw County 4-H program for 15 years, serving in multiple roles including leader of the Saline 4-H Farmers 4-H Club, coordinator of the 4-H Cloverbud Camp and adviser to the small animal, livestock and dairy committees. She also manages the 4-H and poultry divisions at the county fair.

Beyond her work in 4-H, Rogers organizes community service projects, such as raising market birds to donate to local families in need and engaging club members in activities like planting flowers, making holiday cards, and packing meals for the hungry.

“It brings joy to see the kids learn about what they are passionate about,” Rogers said.

Budd, a former 4-Her who grew up on a farm, has been a 4-H volunteer since 2008. She has had many leadership positions, including club leader for the Superstock 4-H Club and chairperson of the Wayne County 4-H livestock protégé program, the youth community engagement committee, and the junior livestock board.

Budd believes strongly in record-keeping, emphasizing how learning this life skill will help 4-Hers market themselves and build their organizational skills. She has used her personal passions and connections to expand opportunities for 4-Hers, taking them to goat shows, to meet industry professionals, to tour greenhouses and to learn about commercial crop production.

“I enjoy the opportunity to teach youth about goats and showing them the proper way to show,” Budd said.

The 4-H Citation Awards recognizes significant contributions to Michigan 4-H programs. This year the honor went to Apple and Dr. Julie Chapin, of Portland.

The 2024 Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society honors Michigan 4-H alumni whose professional leadership and community service reflect the ultimate outcome of 4-H leadership. Inductees into the 2024 class included Maurice Kaercher (Kalamazoo), Thomas Bosserd (Plymouth), Sarah Black (Eagle), Nancy Victorson (Newberry), Katie Eisenberger (Shepherd), Dr. Dave Weatherspoon (East Lansing), Mary Draves (Midland), Shaun Wade (Norton Shores), State Sen. Edward McBroom (Vulcan), and former State Rep. Joel Sheltrown (West Branch).

The 4-H Salute to Excellence Awards honor remarkable 4-H volunteers who have contributed substantially to both their county and state 4-H programs. This year the Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award went to Robert Richards, of Clinton County, while the 2024 4-H Volunteer of the Year Award went to Jennifer Specht,  of Saginaw County.

2024 MSU 4-H Scholarship winners included Sophia Gardner, Alana Aulph, Dori Stuever, Bryant Janetzke and Ross Kelsey.

Fifty-year 4-H volunteers from 2024 were also recognized at the event, as well as winners of the 2024 MSU Scholarship and MSU Extension 4-H staff members retiring in 2024.

“We’re grateful for the chance to join together with the 4-H community to salute these amazing youth, alumni, volunteers, partners and staff,” said Abbey Miller, director of the Michigan 4-H Foundation. “It’s always such a fun day, saluting our honorees alongside our 4-H friends and family.”