News

Martin named 2026 Michigan 4-H Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer

Published on August 20, 2026
Washtenaw County 4-H volunteer Jean Martin has been honored with the prestigious 2026 Michigan 4-H Salute to Excellence Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award.
2026 Michigan 4-H Salute to Excellence Award recipients

Published on August 20, 2026
Two remarkable Michigan 4-H volunteers were named the 2026 Michigan 4-H Salute to Excellence Award winners for their outstanding contributions to both county and state 4-H programs: Jean Martin of Washtenaw County and Bryan Shirk of Branch County.
Shirk named 2026 Michigan 4-H Volunteer of the Year

Published on August 20, 2026
Branch County 4-H volunteer Bryan Shirk has been honored with the prestigious 2026 Michigan 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer of the Year Award.
Wearing multiple hats: Boundary considerations for volunteer managers

Published on August 13, 2026
Volunteer managers often wear many hats. Understanding when to lead, when to step back, and how to navigate overlapping roles helps create fair, transparent and positive experiences for everyone involved.
From competitor to coach: Michigan 4-H youth gives back by leading novice team to state title

Published on July 30, 2026
A Washtenaw County 4-H youth chose to forgo her eligibility for this year’s Michigan 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Contest to coach her county’s novice 4-H team. The team came out victorious at the contest, winning the novice state title.
Eleven tips for running effective meetings with youth

Published on July 30, 2026
These tips can help create a successful learning experience for all youth at your next 4-H meeting.
4-H teens make big impact at fairs through leadership and service

Published on June 25, 2026
For many teens, volunteering at the fair becomes one of the most rewarding parts of their 4-H experience. While ribbons and awards recognize project accomplishments, leadership and service opportunities allow youth to make a lasting impact on others.
The Partnership Playbook: A rubric for understanding partnership levels

Published on June 15, 2026
Community partnerships exist along a spectrum, ranging from simple networking to deep collaboration. Each level serves a purpose, but how do you determine where your partnership falls?
A variety of leadership roles are available in 4-H

Published on May 22, 2026
Volunteers work with members in different ways.
Ten practical steps to navigate challenges and build stronger volunteer partnerships

Published on May 22, 2026
Learn how to build strong working relationships with fellow volunteers.