Three outstanding 4-H volunteers will receive 2019-20 Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Awards.
Beth Clark, of Shiawassee County; Vera Kempf, of Newaygo County and Andrew Walker, of Ogemaw County will receive $1,000 grants, funded by the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Endowment, to help support a 4-H agricultural program of their choosing, for volunteer training, supplies or curricula to enhance 4-H programming locally and statewide.
Honorees have been leaders in youth development and education achievements of Michigan 4-H through agricultural project areas including beef cattle; dairy cattle; goats; horses; horticulture, crops and soils; poultry; rabbits; sheep; swine; and veterinary science programs. Honorees will be recognized by both Michigan 4-H and by Michigan Farm Bureau. Honorees will also receive a personalized recognition memento.
The MFB 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award is supported by an endowment with the Michigan 4-H Foundation, established by Michigan Farm Bureau in 2006. County Farm Bureaus and individuals were asked to build the endowment and Michigan Farm Bureau matched gifts received from county Farm Bureaus up to $50,000, resulting in a $100,000 endowment. The awards have been given since 2008. To learn more about the award, past award winners or to nominate an individual for the 2020-21 award, visit https://mi4hfdtn.org/4-h-emerald-awards/michigan-farm-bureau-4-h-excellence-in-agriculture-award.
Beth Clark, Shiawassee County (photo not available)
Only a leader for a short time, Beth Clark has already made an impact. Driving 4-H’ers to opportunities when their parents are unable and creating educational worksheets to teach members about swine, sheep and beef cattle are just two examples of her willingness to go above and beyond. She has created a program in which she encourages youth to engage with individuals and businesses to explain the importance of their swine projects to Shiawassee County and to gain necessary communication skills. She has assisted many of her club members in winning various awards such as Youth Sportsperson of the Year, the Mark of Excellence Competition and the Sweepstakes Competition.
Vera Kempf, Newaygo County
Vera Kempf
Kempf was a 4-H volunteer from 1950 until her death in 2018. For nearly seven decades, she worked with the youth in her area, providing them with many new opportunities. She created new experiences for youth to learn about animals by inviting veterinarians to teach them about a variety of species such as cattle, llamas, draft horses, saddle horses, sheep, goats, reindeer, ducks and pet fish. She started a program to raise and enter beef calves at the fair that awards a heifer to the winner to foster a youth’s love for the program. She encouraged involvement in many other programs such as Key Club Awards, trips to Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, and 4-H international exchange programs. She also taught youth to compete at national level competitions for various species.
Andrew Walker, Ogemaw County
Andrew Walker
A former youth participant, Andrew Walker has been a 4-H volunteer since 2009. He has been active in the swine project area, working to increase the knowledge of 60 to 75 4-H’ers every year, the largest 4-H club in Ogemaw County. He also serves on both the large and small animal livestock advisory committees and during fair week, he is the sheep and goat barn superintendent. In 2016, he had been instrumental in the funding of the MSU Extension Ogemaw County programs, when many budget cuts occurred on the state level. He helped organize various campaigns to provide more opportunities for Ogemaw County youth such as organizing holiday parades, scripting and recruiting for radio advertisements, and designing promotional materials. He encourages youth to go outside their comfort zone by applying for state awards and attending 4-H Exploration Days.
Two outstanding Michigan 4-H volunteers were honored with 2021-22 Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Awards Feb. 19 at MFB’s Growing Together Conference in Grand Rapids.
Michigan 4-H volunteers Dave Galer, of Macomb County, and Madaline Knight, of Muskegon County, are the recipients of the 2021-22 Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Awards, jointly awarded by Michigan 4-H and MFB, and funded by the MFB 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Endowment at the Michigan 4-H Foundation.
Honorees are nominated and selected for their outstanding volunteer efforts for 4-H youth development and education in one or more agricultural project areas, including beef cattle; dairy cattle; goats; horses; horticulture, crops and soils; poultry; rabbits; sheep; swine; and veterinary science programs.
Award recipients will each designate $1,000 grants to help support a 4-H agricultural program of their choosing for volunteer training, supplies or curricula to enhance 4-H programming locally and statewide.
Dave Galer, Macomb County
Dave Galer has been a Macomb County 4-H volunteer of the Detroit Arsenal (DTA) 4-H Club since 2013. Through his leadership, a new youth gardening project was developed. He instructed and assisted youth in building raised garden boxes, bean tepees, a Mrs. Potato Head potato patch, scarecrows and a vegetable stand. He also partnered with the Macomb County 4-H Master Gardeners to assist in maintenance and educating children.
Galer took the gardening project to a higher level when he challenged the youth to develop an irrigation system for tomato plants that promoted water conservation, built a worm farm for soil development and constructed a compost pile to replenish the garden nutrition.
“Mr. Galer recognizes and understands that 4-H can help build young people’s skillsets, provide them with the tools needed to thrive as an adult and create positive relationships that last a lifetime,” said Katelyn Golembiewski, Macomb County MSU Extension 4-H program coordinator, who nominated Galer for the award.
During club meetings, Galer guides and encourages the members to make decisions, lead projects and create a positive impact in their community. He also encourages involvement in more than just the county 4-H program by promoting statewide and national 4-H opportunities for his club members to participate in.
Prior to the pandemic, Galer led a 4-H youth day of service in which 4-H members came together to create flower garden beds and landscaping at the Macomb County Animal Control Facility. The purpose of this was to provide a nicer looking space to invite community members to the facility for adoptions.
“I have watched youth learn about new things in our club as pre-teens that became favorite interests as teenagers, and ultimately, drove their education and career paths as young adults. There is no greater reward that I can imagine as a youth mentor and educator,” Galer said.
Madaline Knight, Muskegon County
Madaline Knight has been a Muskegon County 4-H volunteer for the Hop-A-Doodle Doo 4-H Club since 2017. She has also served as president of the Muskegon 4-H Leaders Council since 2020. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions in place during 2020 and some of 2021, Knight held monthly Zoom club meetings and tried her best to keep club members engaged.
Under her leadership, the council came up with two learning kits to keep Muskegon 4-H members involved in 4-H during the pandemic. She has been nominated to serve another year as president of the council.
“Maddie’s positive attitude and engagement with her club is a shining example for other 4-H volunteer leaders in the county,” said Tonya Pell, Muskegon County MSU Extension 4-H program coordinator, who nominated Knight for the award. “In both her role as a club leader and as the president of the council, she brings fresh ideas and a passionate attitude towards youth development.”
Knight encourages full participation among 4-H club members. Since 2018, club members have planned and hosted a county-wide rabbit clinic each year and assisted in other showmanship clinics for Muskegon 4-H members. Knight is well-known throughout the county as an expert in the rabbit project and for her willingness to help all 4-H members learn and grow as rabbit showmen.
She also encourages kids to become Muskegon 4-H Ambassadors and to learn about everything 4-H has to offer.
“My greatest reward has been watching the kids in my club build confidence within themselves,” Knight said. “Being a role model for them is the greatest accomplishment of my life. I love watching the kids build friendships with each other because the friends I have made in 4-H are now family to me. 4-H builds such a community of love and support.”
The MFB 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Awards are supported by an endowment with the Michigan 4-H Foundation, established by Michigan Farm Bureau in 2006. County Farm Bureaus and individuals were asked to build the endowment and Michigan Farm Bureau matched gifts received from county Farm Bureaus up to $50,000, resulting in a $100,000 endowment. The awards have been given since 2008.
Nominations for the 2022-23 awards will be accepted from April 1 to June 1, 2022. For a nomination form and to learn more about the award and the award winners, visit https://mi4hfdtn.org/4-h-emerald-awards/michigan-farm-bureau-4-h-excellence-in-agriculture-award/.