Ramirez named outstanding 4-H alumna
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EmailMidland County 4-H alumna Rachael N. Ramirez, of Birch Run, was among 12 4-H alumni inducted into the 2022 class of the Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society at a ceremony on Sept. 30.
Midland County 4-H alumna Rachael N. Ramirez, of Birch Run, is among 12 4-H alumni inducted into the 2022 class of the Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society. Ramirez 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.
Ramirez has helped shape the Frankenmuth community through her personal and professional endeavors. She owns and manages Healthy Habitz, a health food store where she began as an employee in 2007. Today, as a business owner and employer, Ramirez makes many economic and charitable contributions to her community.
For many years, Ramirez served as the education director at the Frankenmuth Historical Museum, developing, coordinating, and implementing programs for students and the public. Her many accomplishments at the museum included revitalizing the Pioneer Days program and directing a historical day camp. She has served as an American Youth Soccer Organization regional commissioner and coach, a member of the Saginaw Conservation District’s board of directors, the director of the Chippewa Nature Center Camp, and a wellness coordinator for the local Home Depot.
“My 4-H experiences and adventures taught me how to be resilient and how to show compassion to others,” said Ramirez. “I grew up confident and independent because of 4-H. These skills helped me become a successful businessperson, mom, wife, friend, and member of the community.”
After an 11-year 4-H career in Midland County, Ramirez continues to volunteer with Michigan 4-H as an adult. She led the Midland County Fur, Fun, and Feathers 4-H Club, was director of the local 4-H camp, and served as a 4-H Peer Plus program coordinator. In addition, Ramirez has led volunteer training workshops at Kettunen Center and youth sessions at 4-H Exploration Days, and hosted international 4-H youth exchange participants.
Outside of 4-H, Ramirez volunteers with her local church, food pantry, and clothes donation center, with Weiss Centennial Farm, and with the Franklin Avenue Mission in Flint. She is a member of the Gleaners Bavarian Arbor in Frankenmuth and works to maintain the beauty of local historical sights through landscaping and planting trees.
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; Larry J. Gould, Morenci; 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; 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.
