/ ECS / Gail R. Frahm
“4-H and growing up on a farm taught me responsibility, once a project was started, no matter what, you committed to finishing it. This has been the driving force behind both my personal and professional successes throughout life.”
Gail Frahm is executive director for the Disability Services Resource Center in Bay City, a nonprofit organization that provides awareness, support, and recreational opportunities to people who are temporarily or permanently disabled. In addition, Frahm uses her many years of experience to help others manage their businesses through her company, Toga Consulting. Previously, Frahm had a 28-year career with the Michigan Soybean Committee and Michigan Soybean Association, holding multiple roles, including 16 years as executive director.
A member of the American Business Women’s Association, or ABWA, for 31 years, Frahm was the District V vice president in 2021–2022. She has been a delegate of the ABWA Eastern Michigan Council for three years, serving as chair in 2019 and 2020. In 2022, she was named Woman of the Year by the ABWA Eastern Michigan Council. Frahm has been a member of the ABWA Cass River Chapter for 31 years, serving in each executive board and committee chair position over time.
Frahm was an active 4-H member in Saginaw County for 10 years. As an adult, she volunteered with 4-H for more than 20 years, helping with two community clubs, leading the livestock quiz bowl team and more. Over the years, Frahm and her family opened their barn to local youth who didn’t have a place to house their 4-H livestock projects and opened their home to international 4-H youth exchange participants.
Frahm is an active member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she serves on the financial review and technology committees, as costume chair for the Living Nativity program, as Sunday school superintendent, as vacation Bible school chair, and as coach of the basketball and track teams. She is also a member of the church’s parent teacher league and of the adult choir.
4-H has been an incredibly transformative experience for me. It has opened up a whole new world of opportunities, allowed me to form lasting relationships, and given me the chance to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
— Brooklyn Hetrick, Oakland County
Become a permanent part of the Michigan 4-H Children's Garden by sponsoring a brick! Bricks can be donated in your name; in honor of a family, friend or club; or in memory of loved ones. Learn more: Sponsor a brick!.
he Michigan Farm Bureau 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes 4-H volunteers who exhibit excellence in 4-H youth education and leadership in agriculture-related areas. 2024 4-H Salute to Excellence Award winners pictured include Robert Richards (left) and Jennifer Specht (right). Click on the button below to view all of the 2024 4-H Legacy Award winners!