Donald R. Jost

Donald R. Jost, a member of the Alpine Eagles 4-H Club in Kent County for five years, served as executive director of the Michigan 4-H Foundation from 1977 to 2002. He led the nonprofit organization to become one of the largest state 4-H foundations in the nation with assets surpassing $8.5 million and an annual programming and operating budget of $3 million. Jost served as special advisor to the Polish 4-H Foundation for its initial ten years. He was the foundation’s executive director during the creation of the Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden and during the expansion and modernization of Kettunen Center. Jost was also a charter trustee of the National 4-H Leadership Trust. As Ingham County 4-H agent in the mid-1970s, he managed a program of 14,000 members and helped introduce the 4-H Proud Equestrians Program (PEP). In retirement, Jost has served as a consultant with Generations United of Washington, D.C. and with Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan.  He enjoys Road Scholar programs and is an active volunteer with his church and is a strong supporter of the MSU women’s basketball program. In 2004, he was elected a Michigan 4-H Foundaton honorary trustee.  He has been a patron of the Michigan 4-H Foundation for many years, and serves as a member of the Campaign for Michigan 4-H’s Future Leadership 10.