Olthof named 2025 Michigan 4-H Volunteer of the Year
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EmailOttawa County 4-H volunteer Lynn Olthof has been honored with the prestigious 2025 Michigan 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer of the Year Award.
Ottawa County 4-H volunteer Lynn Olthof has been honored with the prestigious 2025 Michigan 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer of the Year Award. The 4-H Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to outstanding 4-H volunteers who have 10 years of service or less. 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.
Olthof is a heavily involved and deeply committed volunteer with the Michigan 4-H dairy program. As a graduate student at MSU, she routinely gives her time to campus-based events, including Michigan 4-H Dairy Days, the Michigan 4-H Dairy Conference and 4-H Career Quest. Among her many contributions, Olthof helps to facilitate the state 4-H dairy quiz bowl contest, dairy management contest and dairy judging contest. She also frequently teaches sessions to 4-H’ers on animal science careers, dairy judging, dairy nutrition and dairy management, with survey results from youth citing Olthof’s sessions among their favorites, each time.
“Lynn always goes above and beyond to help with whatever she can,” said Kendra Van Order, MSU Extension 4-H dairy educator, who nominated Olthof for the award. “She loves and supports the 4-H program because she grew up in it and she knows what it can do for others. She believes that showing up for others is an integral part of any program's success.”
Known for her unique ability to help each youth feel seen, valued and encouraged, Olthof’s impact on the Michigan 4-H dairy program is evident in both the youth and other 4-H volunteers with whom she works. As a former 4-H’er herself, Olthof is passionate about furthering that impact by bringing 4-H opportunities to more and more youth. She would like to expand 4-H dairy programming in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and is eager to work with other underserved populations to help additional youth thrive and succeed.
“I am incredibly grateful to be a 4-H volunteer and being able to support youth as they learn, grow and establish a passion for agriculture,” said Olthof. “4-H is a program that has given me so many opportunities personally and professionally and I am fortunate to be able to give back to the organization and youth while also serving the dairy industry.”
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.
Keri Bancroft, of Grand Traverse County, was also awarded a 4-H Salute to Excellence recognition in 2025, receiving the Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer 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/.
