Cathy Fry has dedicated 28 years to helping young people discover the opportunities, skills and values found through agriculture. As leader of the Isabella County Dairy Dreamers 4-H Club, Fry has created countless hands-on learning experiences that build agricultural knowledge, leadership and confidence while inspiring youth to explore futures in the agricultural industry.
A dairy educator and mentor, Fry is known for connecting young people with real-world agricultural experiences. She hosts the annual Moo Madness event at her farm, where youth and families learn firsthand about dairy production, animal care, farm management and the role agriculture plays in everyday life. She also developed the 4-H in Agriculture Learning Series, introducing youth to topics such as livestock nutrition, pollination, crop production and emerging technologies in agriculture. Through these experiences, youth gain practical knowledge while exploring potential agricultural career paths.
Fry’s commitment to positive youth development also extends far beyond agricultural education. She empowers young people to lead community activities, help others learn about agriculture and take ownership of service projects that make a difference locally and beyond. Under her leadership, Fry’s 4-H club members have supported disaster relief efforts, organized community service projects and served as ambassadors for agriculture and 4-H.
Fry also has a long record of developing successful youth leaders and agricultural competitors. Dairy management teams that she has coached have achieved success at the state and national levels, including national championships and top individual honors in dairy science competitions. More importantly, she has helped countless young people develop the critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills needed for success in agriculture and life.
By opening doors to new experiences and helping youth discover their potential, Fry’s nearly three decades of service have and will continue to shape a stronger future for Isabella County 4-H and Michigan agriculture.
