MSU Extension 4-H

Lenawee County 4-H alumnus Larry J. Gould, of Morenci, is among 12 4-H alumni inducted into the 2022 class of the Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society. Gould was recognized on Sept. 30, during the Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration hosted by Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan 4-H Foundation in East Lansing. 

The Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society honors former Michigan 4-H members whose professional leadership and community service reflect the ultimate outcome of 4-H membership – extraordinary use of an individual’s head, heart, hands and health to make communities, the country and the world better places in which to live. This recognition is provided by Michigan 4-H Youth Development with support from the Michigan 4-H Foundation. 

Gould owns and operates Gould Farms with his family, producing corn, wheat, and soybeans. His farming career has led him to serve on numerous boards and committees, including the county, state, and national cattleman’s associations, the Lenawee County Farm Bureau board of directors, the Lenawee County MSU Extension Advisory Council, the Michigan Soybean Association, and the agricultural advisory committee for former U.S. Representative David Stockman. 

Outside of the agricultural sector, Gould was a Lenawee County commissioner for 32 years and served on several committees to improve and benefit the community. Today, he serves on the Region II Planning Commission and the Lenawee Agriculture Committee. Locally, Gould is an active member at the Weston United Methodist Church and a donor to the Morenci Education Foundation. 

“4-H taught me parliamentary procedures and how to conduct meetings,” said Gould. “I learned leadership skills and responsibility.” 

Gould’s long history of service also includes a strong commitment to Michigan 4-H. A former Lenawee County 4-H’er, Gould has been a Lenawee County 4-H volunteer for more than 50 years with the State Line Hustlers 4-H Club. In 2022, he was recognized by MSU Extension for his 50 years of service to 4-H. In addition to his local service to  4-H, Gould served on the national board of the International 4-H Youth Exchange, or IFYE, program for three years and as the IFYE national vice president and finance committee chair for six years. Gould himself traveled to Mexico as an IFYE participant in 1965, and over the years, he and his family have hosted several IFYE participants. 

Locally, Gould is a member and communion steward at the Weston United Methodist Church and routinely donates produce to his church and local food pantry. He is a donor to the Morenci Education Foundation and has been honored by the foundation with a Distinguished Alumni Award. 

The Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration was hosted and emceed by MSU Extension Associate Director Matt Shane, a Kent County 4-H alumnus and 2014 4-H Emerald Clover Society inductee. Also inducted into the 4-H Emerald Clover Society Class of 2022 were: Gail R. Frahm, Saginaw; Jon D. Hausserman, Fenwick; L. Janel Horrocks-Boehmer, Williamston; Alice A. Kempf, Holton; Karen Kolberg Kietzer, Stevensville; Dian M. Liepe, Pullman; Sarah J. Pion, Cassopolis; Rachael N. Ramirez, Birch Run; Melissa A. Souva, Bronson; Schawna M. Thoma, Anchorage, Alaska; and Mary J. Yeomans, Midland.

Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society members are inducted every two years. The inaugural class of 62 members was inducted in 2002 to coincide with the national 4-H centennial. For more information on the 4 H Emerald Clover Society and its members, visit www.mi4hfdtn.org/ecs. 

The Michigan 4-H Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that supports Michigan 4-H Youth Development. For more information about the Michigan 4-H Foundation, visit www.mi4hfdtn.org. Michigan 4-H Youth Development is the youth-serving program of MSU Extension. Nearly 100,000 youth are involved in 4-H with the support of 9,000 adult volunteers. For more information about Michigan 4-H, visit www.4h.msue.msu.edu.