Kaercher Named Outstanding 4-H Alumni
Michigan State University Extension celebrated the induction of ten 4-H alumni into the 2024 class of the Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society on September 21 during the Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration. Among them was Kalamazoo County 4-H alumnus Maurice J. Kaercher.
Kalamazoo County 4-H alumnus Maurice J. Kaercher, of Kalamazoo, has been recognized for his professional leadership and community service that reflect the core values of 4-H. Growing up on his family farm, Kaercher was actively involved in the Kalamazoo County 4-H program, showcasing beef, sheep, and various other projects.
After high school, he completed MSU’s two-year AgTech program, specializing in livestock. He then served five years in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, followed by a return to MSU for a bachelor's degree in animal science.
Kaercher’s career path included roles as a vocational agriculture teacher and seed sales district representative before joining MSU Extension in 1983 as a Kalamazoo County agriculture agent. He later became an area livestock agent covering five counties in 2003, serving St. Joseph County from 2006 until his retirement from MSU in 2011. Post-retirement, he served as the executive director of the Michigan Sheep Producers Association until 2020.
“4-H played an important role in shaping my future,” said Kaercher. “It taught me how to win and how to lose... It is better to look at challenges with the glass half full rather than the glass half empty.”
Kaercher and his wife, Nancy, owned a 60-head cow-calf operation. They raised their two sons through the Kalamazoo County 4-H program, where Kaercher held leadership positions including Kalamazoo County 4-H Leaders Council President for four years and adult volunteer leader of the Gull Lake Community 4-H Club for ten years.
His contributions extend beyond agriculture; he served on the Michigan Cattleman’s Association board for over 25 years and was named Member of the Year in 2002. He also contributed to veteran affairs as a member of the Kalamazoo County Veterans Affairs Committee.
Kaercher has been recognized numerous times for his distinguished service, including awards from MSU and local Farm Bureaus, the MSU Extension President’s Citation Award, St. Joseph County 4-H Above and Beyond Award, Michigan Sheep Producers Association Service to Industry Award, and induction into the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame in 2022.
Other inductees into the 4-H Emerald Clover Society Class of 2024 included:
- Sarah A. Black, Eagle
- Thomas L. Bosserd, Plymouth
- Mary F. Draves, Midland
- Katie M. Eisenberger, Shepherd