Gordon honored as outstanding 4-H agriculture volunteer – MSU Extension

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Gould and Yeager Honored as Outstanding 4-H Agriculture Volunteers

Michigan State University Extension – 4-H Volunteering & Mentoring

September 25, 2024

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Rick Gould and Kevin Yeager of St. Joseph County were among five Michigan Farm Bureau 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award recipients honored in 2024.

Photo: From left to right: Jodi Schulz, co-director of MSU Extension’s Children and Youth Programs; Rick Gould; Kevin Yeager; and Lisa Bottomley, co-director of MSU Extension’s Children and Youth Programs.

The Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration, hosted by MSU Extension and the Michigan 4-H Foundation in East Lansing on September 21, recognized these volunteers for their outstanding youth education and leadership development achievements.

The award celebrates the work of Michigan 4-H volunteers in various project areas, including:

  • Beef cattle
  • Dairy cattle
  • Goats
  • Horses
  • Horticulture, crops and soils
  • Poultry
  • Rabbits
  • Sheep
  • Swine
  • Veterinary science

Recipients receive $1,000 grants to enhance local or statewide programming.

Gould and Yeager: A Dynamic Duo in St. Joseph County 4-H Swine Project

Anyone involved with the St. Joseph County 4-H swine project knows they can rely on two dedicated volunteers: Gould, a two-year volunteer, and Yeager, a 36-year veteran. This duo collaborates to support 4-H’ers in the county’s 4-H swine project.

They teach young people about:

  • Feeding and caring for hogs
  • Meat cuts
  • Swine body parts
  • Pig breeds
  • Showmanship
  • Animal selection

Through their efforts, Gould and Yeager embody the 4-H pledge:

  • Head: Providing knowledge and guidance.
  • Heart: Showing genuine care for 4-H’ers and their pigs.
  • Hands: Sharing time and talents to help 4-H’ers.
  • Health: Educating on animal nutrition.

"My greatest reward is seeing the kids excel not only at the county level but also at the state level," Yeager says. "I love seeing them gain confidence in themselves as they grow through their 4-H experience."

Gould and Yeager don’t just mentor 4-H’ers; they empower them to become leaders. They encourage members to apply for 4-H State Awards and engage in new opportunities. Their dedication has fostered a culture of leadership within the swine project, with many 4-H’ers going on to mentor others.

"It’s so rewarding when you see the kids use something you taught them in the showring and they walk away with that big smile," Gould says.

Other 2024 Recipients:

  • Donna Budd of Wayne County
  • Charity Hackett of Berrien County
  • Angela (name not provided) of Washtenaw County
  • Mandy Rogers of Washtenaw County