MSU Extension 4-H

Marie Curell of Lapeer 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. 

Curell has kept youth involvement and leadership at the forefront of her 36 years of 4-H volunteer service. A former 4-H’er herself, Curell is passionate about 4-H and agriculture and serves as the Lapeer County 4-H Livestock Committee president and the Lapeer County 4-H Council treasurer. She is also a volunteer leader for the North Branch Finish Line Swine 4-H Club. Her 4-H club members are involved in making club decisions and participate in community service projects year-round and in county, state, and national 4-H programs. 

“My reward for working with kids is seeing what we call the ‘aha’ moment; that one moment when it all comes together and makes sense to them,” said Curell. “The kids are always the primary ‘project’ in 4-H.” 

To support Lapeer County 4-H members, Curell has organized many educational clinics focusing on livestock. Recently, she coordinated an animal first aid workshop and worked with a local veterinary office to give youth participants livestock first aid kits of their own. Curell also leads practices to prepare local young people for the annual meats judging contest and offers her time to help with the local fair, livestock shows, and Lapeer County Farm Bureau’s Project RED (also known as Rural Education Day). Her dedication to youth development and success has encouraged 4-H members to participate in all the opportunities that 4-H has to offer. 

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 Award are Katheryn Bell of Oakland 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.