MSU Extension 4-H

Katheryn Bell of Oakland County was among four Michigan Farm Bureau 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award recipients honored on Sept. 30 during the Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration. The event was hosted by Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan 4-H Foundation in East Lansing. 

The award recognizes the outstanding youth education and leadership development achievements of Michigan 4-H volunteers in the beef cattle; dairy cattle; goats; horses; horticulture, crops and soils; poultry; rabbits; sheep; swine; and veterinary science project areas. Honorees receive $1,000 grants they can use for training, to buy supplies or curriculum, or to enhance local or statewide programming. 

Bell started volunteering with 4-H in 2017 when her young children became interested in the program. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she took on the role of administrative volunteer leader for the Bowers Farm 4-H Club. The club is Oakland County’s largest, with more than 100 members. To engage and educate youth while in-person activities were on hold, Bell worked with the Bowers Farm staff to make animal care training videos. This allowed members to care for their animals at the farm without overlapping with one another. Even post-pandemic, the videos continue to be useful training tools. 

“My greatest reward while being a 4-H leader is seeing a child go from unsure and nervous to brave and confident,” said Bell. 

After being involved with the Bowers Farm as a 4-H volunteer, Bell was hired as their farm manager and passed leadership of the club to others, though she continues to be involved as a 4-H parent. In her new role, Bell continues to advocate for agriculture and youth education. She is one of the creators of the Bowers School Farm’s Helpful Hands program, which sees young people educate the local community about agriculture with proper animal interactions at an open barn event. Bell is an educator and leader who guides with passion and shows genuine interest in and commitment to young people. She steadfastly encourages them to keep exploring their ideas and building on their understanding, passion, and leadership skills. 

The Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration was hosted and emceed by MSU Extension Associate Director Matt Shane, a Kent County 4-H alumnus and 2014 4-H Emerald Clover Society inductee. The other 2023 recipients of the 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Awards are Marie Curell of Lapeer County, Melissa Barnett LaForest of Wayne County and Dione M. Oliver of Alpena County.    

The award is supported by an endowment with the Michigan 4-H Foundation that was established by Michigan Farm Bureau. To learn more about the 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award and awardees visit https://mi4hfdtn.org/4-h-emerald-awards/michigan-farm-bureau-4-h-excellence-in-agriculture-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 100,000 youth are involved in 4-H with the support of 9,000 adult volunteers. For more information about Michigan 4-H, visit www.4h.msue.msu.edu.