MSU Extension Grand Traverse County Extension Office

Sarah Bye is a Michigan State University Extension 4-H Program Coordinator in Grand Traverse County. She has served in this role since January 2025. Sarah provides leadership and management of local 4-H programs, volunteers, and youth participants. She works to strengthen the Grand Traverse County 4-H program by developing educational opportunities and community partnerships, coordinating events, supporting volunteers, and connecting local participants with statewide Michigan 4-H opportunities and resources.

Sarah brings a diverse background in youth development, volunteer engagement, event planning, and community leadership. Prior to joining MSU Extension, she served as a Children and Youth Ministry Director for seven years, where she focused on youth engagement, volunteer training, communication, and creating meaningful experiences for young people. She also worked at Interlochen Center for the Arts coordinating patron services and events and owned and operated a custom furniture business for 20 years. These experiences have strengthened her ability to build relationships, bring people together around shared goals, and develop opportunities that benefit individuals and communities.

A longtime member of the Grand Traverse County community, Sarah has been involved with several local organizations, including the Women’s Resource Center, Rotary, and area arts organizations. She was recognized as a Grand Traverse County 40 Under 40 recipient in 2008 and is a Paul Harris Fellow through Rotary. Although she is not an MSU alumni, she did take a summer organic chemistry course at MSU. She also participated in a summer internship studying organic vs. conventional farming through Ohio State University. Sarah earned an Associate in Science and Arts from Northwestern Michigan College and majored in biology at Earlham College. She is passionate about helping young people discover their strengths, develop leadership skills, and become confident, engaged members of their communities.