MSU Extension 4-H

Apple has been honored with the prestigious Michigan 4-H Citation Award at a ceremony on Sept. 21. The organization was recognized during the Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration hosted by Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan 4-H Foundation in East Lansing. 

Two Michigan 4-H Citation Awards are given each year. They honor individuals and organizations whose multicounty, regional, state, or national contributions and support have significantly advanced the work of MSU Extension’s 4-H Youth Development. The contributions of honorees have expanded the capacity of Michigan 4-H to affect the lives of Michigan young people in positive, significant and meaningful ways. This award, given since 1946, is the highest recognition bestowed by Michigan 4-H Youth Development and is presented with support from the Michigan 4-H Foundation. 

Apple’s partnership with MSU Extension and Michigan 4-H Youth Development began in 2022 and has had a great impact in just three years. Thanks to Apple’s support and advocacy, a new and innovative 4-H STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) program was launched in multiple Michigan communities, providing 4-H families with much-needed access to technology.

The new partnership, 4-H Clovers CODE (Creating Opportunity Designed for Everyone), is supported by Apple’s Community Education Initiative and helps youth develop critical life skills and gain experience with state-of-the-art technology. Apple provided MSU Extension with hardware such as iPads and MacBooks, scholarships, and professional development opportunities and support for staff and volunteers. Apple also provided support for a staff member to focus on STEAM programs using Apple curriculum. As a result, 4-H Clovers CODE offers a variety of camps, clubs and groups, after-school, and in-school partnerships in coding, photography, video, drawing, and music.

The program was launched in southeast Michigan’s Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. In its first year, 4-H Clovers CODE reached nearly 1,100 participants through 43 different programs and activities. In 2023, the 4-H Clovers CODE program expanded to rural locations in Chippewa, Delta, Gogebic, Lake, Leelanau, Luce, Mason, Menominee, and Schoolcraft counties and reached more than 8,100 young people, teachers, and volunteers through 103 programs and activities. In 2024, the program is expanding again to Alger, Ingham, and Marquette counties.

In addition to hands-on programming for young people, support from Apple has helped Michigan 4-H bridge the connectivity gap in communities. Young people and adult volunteers can use 4-H Clovers CODE iPads at county 4-H meetings to enroll in 4-H and complete online training modules. This provides access to those without the technology at home and support to older volunteers who may not be comfortable using the tools and systems on their own.

This Citation Award celebrates Apple’s commitment to improving the lives of Michigan 4-H’ers and improving technology access to underserved communities. These advanced STEAM learning opportunities are offered in communities that are traditionally underserved, providing youth with life-changing experiences as they learn the skills and knowledge that are often needed for high-growth, high-paying jobs in technological and creative careers.

Dr. Julie Chapin also received the Michigan 4-H Citation Award at the event. Other honorees recognized at the 2024 Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration included inductees into the 2024 class of the 4-H Emerald Clover Society, volunteers awarded the Michigan 4-H Salute to Excellence Awards, volunteers awarded the Michigan Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Awards, 50-year 4-H volunteers, winners of the MSU 4-H Scholarship, and retiring 4-H staff. For more information on the Michigan 4-H Citation Award and awardees, visit https://mi4hfdtn.org/4-h-emerald-awards/michigan-4-h-citation-award/. 

The Michigan 4-H Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that supports Michigan 4-H Youth Development. For more information about the Michigan 4-H Foundation, visit www.mi4hfdtn.org. Michigan 4-H Youth Development is the youth-serving program of MSU Extension. Nearly 135,000 youth are involved in 4-H with the support of 8,000 adult volunteers. For more information about Michigan 4-H, visit www.4h.msue.msu.edu.