By Andi Anderson
Jennifer Laux, a dedicated 4-H leader from Saginaw County, has been honored with the 2025 Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award. She is one of six outstanding volunteers recognized for excellence in youth education and leadership in agriculture through Michigan’s 4-H program.
Laux leads both the Saginaw County Fair Livestock Exhibitor Group and the Frankenmuth Area Patriots 4-H Club, where she supports members at every level of experience. She ensures youth understand how to select, train, and care for animals.
Her clinics and trainings focus on essential skills like tagging, vaccinations, recordkeeping, and preparing buyer’s letters.
She also brings 4-H beyond the farm. Laux involves her club members in community outreach, sharing their agricultural knowledge at schools, nursing homes, and public events. Her passion for service is also reflected in her creation of a “seed library” at her local library, offering free seeds and growing information to promote home gardening.
“My greatest reward is watching kids become genuinely enthusiastic about livestock and agriculture,” said Laux. “If adults step to the side and allow youth to take the lead, they grow in ways we could never imagine.”
Laux encourages leadership among older youth, helping them pursue awards, develop new skills, and expand their career or academic goals. Her mentorship extends beyond the barn and into all aspects of youth development.
As part of the award, Laux will receive a $1,000 grant from the MFB 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Endowment, which she can use to support local 4-H programs, training, or resources. She will also receive a personalized recognition memento.
Other 2025 award recipients include Brigitte Grobbel, Genevieve Hecht, Michelle Holladay, Tyler Labadie, and Garrett Thompson.
Categories: Michigan, Rural Lifestyle