Mandy Rogers

Since becoming a 4-H volunteer 15 years ago, Mandy Rogers has helped the Washtenaw County 4-H program in countless ways. For example, she has been the adult volunteer leader of the Saline 4-H Farmers 4-H Club; leader of the county 4-H Cloverbud Camp; coordinator of the 4-H Cloverbud Mentor Program; adult advisor to the small animal, livestock, and dairy committees; and superintendent of the 4-H Cloverbud and poultry divisions at the county fair. In all these roles, Rogers exemplifies the 4-H guiding principles of positive youth development by providing a safe space for young people to be active participants in their learning and to develop real world skills.

Active participation is a central focus in all Rogers does. As leader of a club with more than 50 members, she engages 4-H’ers in choosing club activities and projects. As an adult advisor on various committees, Rogers encourages youth involvement in decision-making, giving them real life experience in leading and managing committees and making decisions.

As coordinator of the county 4-H Cloverbud Mentor Program, Rogers engages the youngest children in the 4-H experience, pairing them with teen mentors to show livestock, dairy cattle, or small animals. This exciting program often lights a fire in 4-H Cloverbuds that leads them to a long career in agriculture or 4-H and providing teen mentors with a valuable experience, too.

A Lenawee County 4-H alumna, Rogers has been pledging her hands to larger service for decades. Today she helps current 4-H’ers do the same. She coordinates a community service project at the Washtenaw County 4-H Youth Show where 4-H’ers raise market birds to donate to the Saline Area Social Services program to feed families in need. Her club members also plant flowers, make holiday cards for local seniors, donate paper products to needy families, pack meals for the Coalition Against Hunger, and bring animals to live Christmas nativities.

Rogers has a passion for seeing all youth succeed and is a respectful role model for all members of the 4-H community.