MSU Extension 4-H Volunteering & Mentoring

Six outstanding 4-H leaders were honored with 2025 Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Awards: Brigitte Grobbel of Clinton County, Genevieve Hecht of Tuscola County, Michelle Holladay of Oceana County, Tyler Labadie and Garrett Thompson of Barry County, and Jennifer Laux of Saginaw County. The 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of Michigan 4-H volunteers or groups that have exhibited excellence in 4-H youth education and leadership development in the areas of 4-H beef cattle; dairy cattle; goats; horses; horticulture, crops and soils; poultry; rabbits; sheep; swine and veterinary science.

MFB Excellence in Agriculture Award honorees are recognized by both Michigan 4-H and MFB. Each receives a $1,000 grant, funded by the MFB 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Endowment at the Michigan 4-H Foundation. Awardees use the grants to help support a 4-H agricultural program of their choosing, or for volunteer training, supplies or curricula to enhance 4-H programming locally and statewide. Honorees will also receive a personalized recognition memento.

Brigitte Grobbel, Clinton County

A 4-H alumna herself, Grobbel has served as the 4-H livestock and dairy project leader for St. Clair County’s Haybuster 4-H Club for the past six years. She has also led livestock judging teams in both Sanilac and St. Clair counties, helping to instill in youth important life skills developed in the sport: decision-making, time management and public speaking. Beyond her club and county affiliations, Grobbel has also donated her time as a resource leader related to livestock evaluation and selection, animal nutrition and showmanship at a variety of statewide 4-H programs and events. Grobbel also volunteers as a member of the Thumb Jackpot Beef Show and Paul DeLong Memorial Show committees, and serves on the board of directors for the Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund,

Genevieve Hecht, Tuscola County

Hecht has been a vital vessel in the Tuscola County 4-H program for nearly 20 years. Originally a Mecosta County 4-H member herself, she became a 4-H volunteer in Tuscola County as soon as she aged out. Today, Hecht is chair of Tuscola County Fair’s Large Livestock 4-H committee, leader of the Granny’s Kids 4-H Club, and parent of active 4-H youth. Hecht has supported new fair superintendents in coming up to speed, sought and organized industry speakers, and advocated for educational programs like YQCA (Youth for the Quality Care of Animals). Hecht has also taken great care to ensure livestock projects are accessible to youth with special needs and encourages local 4-H youth to give back through community service.

Michelle Holladay, Oceana County

Holladay has consistently fostered youth achievement and excellence in agriculture, particularly within the 4-Star 4-H Club, the largest club in Oceana County. She encourages club members to develop their skills, work hard and aim for success. Holladay also offers free loans of project animals, allowing 4-H members to try out the beef and dairy feeder project without the financial burden of purchasing an animal. She is also a member of the Oceana County 4-H Youth Council, where she helps to spearhead the 4-H Ambassador program. Through this work, Holladay has supported teens in developing essential leadership skills and empowered them to become proactive, positive influences in their communities. In addition, Holladay plays a key role in fundraising for 4-H scholarships, recruiting new 4-H volunteers and donating her own time and resources to support local 4-H events.

Tyler Labadie and Garrett Thompson, Barry County

Originally from Delta and Clare counties respectively, Labadie and Thompson spend time giving back to the 4-H communities in which they grew up. After aging out of Clare County 4-H, Thompson started helping his former  club, teaching about rabbits and horses. Later, Thompson and Labadie developed the Clare County Fair Skillathon contest, which they still run each year. In the U.P., both Thompson and Labadie have served on the Department Advisory Committee at the U.P. State Fair and hosted numerous livestock clinics for U.P. youth. Beyond their local involvement, Labadie and Thompson have given their time to many statewide initiatives, as well, volunteering at the Michigan 4-H Dairy Conference and the Michigan 4-H Livestock Workshop. In addition, Labadie and Thompson support youth at various livestock events, sponsor workshops and awards, and aid local 4-H’ers in applying for scholarships, contests and more.

Jennifer Laux, Saginaw County

Laux is a highly involved member of the Saginaw County 4-H community, leading the Saginaw County Fair Livestock Exhibitor Group and the Frankenmuth Area Patriots 4-H Club. She takes great care to ensure every youth, no matter how new or how experienced, knows the essentials, and routinely offers showmanship clinics, hands-on trainings on tagging and vaccinations, and support on buyer’s letters, record books and more. Laux has married her love of agriculture to serving the community by engaging 4-H members in bringing their projects to schools, retirement homes, businesses and community events to teach them about their animals. In addition, Laux also started a “seed library” at her local library.

To make a tribute gift through the Michigan 4-H Foundation in honor of these outstanding individuals, visit mi4hfdtn.org/memorialtributedonation/. To learn more about the MFB 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award and honorees, visit https://mi4hfdtn.org/4-h-emerald-awards/michigan-farm-bureau-4-h-excellence-in-agriculture-award/