Every year the University of Minnesota Extension 4-H statewide volunteer recognition program provides a pathway to spotlight the impact volunteers have on our youth and community through the Northern Lights honors and Salute to Excellence awards.
Salute to Excellence honorees
Salute to Excellence awardees demonstrate exemplary service to 4-H while promoting volunteerism as both an opportunity and a privilege. Two volunteers are selected across Minnesota 4-H annually, making this award a distinguished accomplishment.
Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award honoree Michele Vogel in Nicollet County created a thriving Cloverbud Club that grows passionate 4-H members. Her leadership equips new volunteers with the tools and enthusiasm to expand the program. Vogel's mentorship and guidance inspires others and embodies the value of 4-H.
Volunteer of the Year award honoree Julianne Hawkins in Pope County puts youth at the center and supports them through welcoming and supportive environments. Her service has set up youth for future success as individuals and community members. Hawkins leads programs in ways that build healthy youth-adult partnerships, ensuring youth have a voice and choice in decision making.
Northern Light honorees
Northern Lights volunteers are individual volunteers and/or volunteer teams who help bridge the Cloverbud and 4-H experience, creating empowering learning environments, and championing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. A Cloverbud is a 4-H member who is in kindergarten through second grade.This year, 10 volunteers were nominated for this statewide honor. Please join Extension in celebrating these four shining volunteers:
Crystal and Jason Frederickson, Brown County, have demonstrated unwavering dedication, perseverance, exceptional leadership, and hard work in re-establishing the 4-H shooting sports and wildlife projects in Brown County. They have created a new avenue for families to join and participate in 4-H through a new project-based club called Bows and Triggers. They have poured countless hours into ensuring the success of the club and its members, from writing grant proposals and organizing club events, to encouraging and organizing participation in the state shoot.
Gwen Frazier, Goodhue County, has been an integral part of 4-H for decades. As a club leader, parent and adult volunteer with the Burnside Pluckies, she encourages youth leadership by encouraging members to participate as club officers, give demonstrations and assist with community service projects. A major contribution has been her leadership with the annual hog roast fundraiser, which she helped start in 2002 and continues with committee members for over 20 years, including some creative options during the pandemic. Frazier says, “Nothing makes me smile more than a young person helping another person, working together as a team, leading a meeting with confidence they didn’t think they had, seeing their project at the county fair or showing their livestock.”
Bethany and Kris Folland, Kittson County are a husband and wife team whose quiet, consistent contributions have had a profound impact on our community. Kris serves on the County Extension Committee board; Bethany supports agriculture projects and the food stand committee. Together, they lead the Halma Ideal 4-H Club. The Follands, volunteers since 2009, constantly bring fresh ideas and new opportunities to the table. They create an environment where every youth, whether a first-time member or an experienced participant, feels welcome, supported, and encouraged to grow. From encouraging youth in agriculture to guiding community service projects, their volunteer work is rooted in a deep belief in the potential of every young person.
Chris Nash, North St. Louis County, is "an invaluable member of our team whose commitment to our cause has made a lasting impact," says Nicole Kudrle, Extension 4-H youth development educator. Whether leading the Wilpin 4-H Club, the 4-H Poultry Project Club, assisting with 4-H County Ambassadors or providing consistent support behind the scenes, he has shown exceptional dedication and leadership. Nash goes above and beyond, always prioritizing the needs of youth, families and the community as well as fostering an environment of growth and positivity. His passion and generosity are truly inspiring, and he consistently demonstrates the qualities of an outstanding volunteer. Nash has used his skills of communication, organization, and mentoring to make a meaningful difference for youth and their families. He has organized engaging activities, provided one-on-one mentorship and created welcoming environments for all.
Runner-up honorees
Four other volunteers were nominated for their volunteer service. Extension recognizes the ways they positively contribute to the 4-H community.
- Catherine Moenning, Dodge County
- Jan McNallan, Olmsted County
- Dorothy Scharf, Pine County
- Karen Roker, Renville County
The work of 4-H volunteers is constant. Every day, volunteers lend a helping hand to make 4-H programs more beneficial to the residents of (insert county/tribal program name). Those interested in joining the team of 4-H volunteers are invited to connect via a volunteer interest form or contact your local University of Minnesota Extension office.