Bancroft named 2025 Michigan 4-H Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer
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EmailGrand Traverse County 4-H volunteer Keri Bancroft has been honored with the prestigious 2025 Michigan 4-H Salute to Excellence Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award.
Grand Traverse County 4-H volunteer Keri Bancroft has been honored with the prestigious 2025 Michigan 4-H Salute to Excellence Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award. This award is given to a 4-H volunteer with more than 10 years of service. Winners are selected through a statewide nomination and review process.
The Michigan 4-H Salute to Excellence Awards highlight the important work of 4-H volunteers across the state who share their time, energy and commitment with 4-H every day to improve the lives of Michigan young people. Through the 4-H Salute to Excellence Awards program, Michigan State University Extension’s 4-H Youth Development program honors outstanding volunteers for their unwavering dedication to 4-H and Michigan young people.
Bancroft has been involved as a 4-H volunteer with the Northwest Michigan 4-H Livestock Council for almost 12 years. Having previously held the office of both treasurer and vice president, Bancroft currently serves as president of the council, a role she has held for three years. In this position, Bancroft supports 4-H youth in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties who exhibit livestock at the Northwestern Michigan Fair. As leader of the group, Bancroft ensures youth voice is central to the work of the council and fair and that 4-He’rs are seen as leaders and partners in the council’s work.
“Keri is wonderful at spotting gifts in others and knows how to lead them to opportunities where they can use their gifts to thrive in 4-H,” said Sarah Bye, 4-H program coordinator for Grand Traverse County MSU Extension, who nominated Bancroft for the award. “This provides them with opportunities to feel empowered and take ownership of different aspects of our local 4-H community as leaders and educators.”
Outside her work with the Northwest Michigan 4-H Livestock Council, Bancroft is the leader of the Happy Highlanders 4-H Club and helps to organize the annual Education Expo, an educational conference for 400-500 4-H youth and their families. Bancroft is also a strong advocate of youth participating in state level events, such as 4-H Exploration Days and 4-H Capitol Experience, and works with the Northwest Michigan 4-H Livestock Council to provide event scholarships for youth attending these opportunities.
“My greatest reward as a 4-H volunteer has been helping to guide our youth to strive for their goals and helping them reach their full potential,” said Bancroft. “Watching their faces light up as they reach their goals is my greatest reward.”
Recipients of the Michigan 4-H Salute to Excellence Awards receive a $400 monetary award donated in their name to the 4-H program, club or activity of their choice. These grants are made possible by the Michigan 4-H Volunteer Recognition Fund of the Michigan 4-H Foundation. Awardees will also receive a personalized recognition memento and have their name engraved on the Salute to Excellence brick path located at the Michigan 4-H Children’s Gardens in East Lansing, Mich.
Lynn Olthof, of Ottawa County, was also awarded a 4-H Salute to Excellence recognition in 2025, receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award. For more information about the 4-H Salute to Excellence Awards and past honorees, visit https://mi4hfdtn.org/4-h-emerald-awards/michigan-4-h-salute-to-excellence-awards/.
