By Andi Anderson
Mandy Rogers of Washtenaw County was among five recipients of the Michigan Farm Bureau 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award, recognized during the Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration on September 21.
Hosted by Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan 4-H Foundation, the event honored outstanding 4-H volunteers for their dedication to youth education and leadership in agriculture.
Rogers has been an active volunteer in the Washtenaw County 4-H program for 15 years, serving in multiple roles including leader of the Saline 4-H Farmers 4-H Club, coordinator of the 4-H Cloverbud Camp, and advisor to the small animal, livestock, and dairy committees.
She also manages the 4-H Cloverbud and poultry divisions at the county fair. In each position, Rogers demonstrates the 4-H principles of positive youth development by creating a safe and engaging environment for learning.
Rogers’s approach focuses on active participation, encouraging 4-H members to choose activities and projects, thus gaining hands-on experience in leadership and decision-making.
She also leads the 4-H Cloverbud Mentor Program, pairing young participants with teen mentors to guide them in showing livestock and small animals. This program not only sparks interest in agriculture for younger members but also provides mentors with valuable leadership experience.
Beyond her work in 4-H, Rogers organizes community service projects, such as raising market birds to donate to local families in need and engaging club members in activities like planting flowers, making holiday cards, and packing meals for the hungry. Her commitment to service has made her a respected role model in the 4-H community.
Rogers’s passion for 4-H and her dedication to supporting youth are evident in everything she does. “It brings such joy to see the kids learn about what they are passionate about,” Rogers said. “I love seeing the kids have fun at 4-H meetings, at activities, and at the fair. They bring such great joy to me!”
Rogers was joined by fellow award recipients Donna Budd, Rick Gould, Kevin Yeager, Charity Hackett, and Angela Oakman, all recognized for their outstanding contributions to 4-H agriculture programs in Michigan.
The awards, supported by the Michigan Farm Bureau and the Michigan 4-H Foundation, highlight the invaluable impact of dedicated volunteers like Rogers who inspire and guide the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, General