MSU Extension 4-H

Tuscola County 4-H alumna Sarah A. Black, of Eagle, is among ten 4-H alumni inducted into the 2024 class of the Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society. Black was recognized on Sept. 21 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.

Black has been a dedicated member of the Michigan Farm Bureau team since 1993. She has been an MFB regional representative, coordinator of MFB ProFILE: Institute for Leadership Education, national legislative counsel, and director of the Public Policy and Commodity Division. Today, she serves as director of Business Operations, and as general manager of Great Lakes Ag Labor Services, an MFB affiliate that provides farms in five states with legal, reliable, seasonal labor.

In her three-decade career, Black has left her mark on Michigan agriculture. She helped create MFB’s Academy for Political Leadership, which provides county Farm Bureau programs with the tools they need to engage with governmental units and positively influence the legislative process. Black grew and modified ProFILE to help develop promising agricultural leaders, adjusting the age structure and enhancing a learning tour to view agricultural production in other states. Black also worked on many pieces of agriculture-related legislation, including trade deals, the federal Farm Bill, and the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program.

The Michigan 4-H program has also benefitted from Black’s long-term service and commitment. Originally a Tuscola County 4-H’er, she currently volunteers in Clinton County, leading a 4-H club and serving on the county 4-H livestock committee and the 4-H dairy council. Black is also heavily involved as a volunteer with the MSU and 4-H dairy judging teams, serving more than 300 youth in three decades. Each year, Black accompanies 4-H’ers and college students to national dairy judging competitions, helping the competitors learn to make logical decisions, articulate their decisions, and confidently defend and justify their viewpoints.

“4-H opened my eyes to the value of setting goals, working hard, and working with others to achieve goals,” said Black. “It helped me realize my passion for agriculture and servant leadership, and that when you put others before yourself and work together, we can achieve some amazing results. 4-H teaches you that life isn’t just about you, and that there will be challenges to overcome.”

Black also volunteers in many other capacities, including as a mentor for the Michigan Junior Holstein board, as a Sunday school teacher at her church, and on the Great Lakes Leadership Academy advisory council. Black is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Michigan. She has received distinguished service awards from the Michigan Jersey Cattle Club and the Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association.

Also inducted into the 4-H Emerald Clover Society Class of 2024 were: Thomas L. Bosserd, Plymouth; Mary F. Draves, Midland; Katie M. Eisenberger, Shepherd; Maurice J. Kaercher, Kalamazoo; State Sen. Edward W. McBroom, Vulcan; former State Rep. Joel Sheltrown, West Branch; Nancy L. Victorson, Newberry; Shaun T. Wade, Norton Shores; and Dr. Dave D. Weatherspoon, East Lansing. Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society members are inducted every two years. The inaugural class of 62 members was inducted in 2002. For more information on the 4 H Emerald Clover Society and its members, visit www.mi4hfdtn.org/ecs.

Other honorees recognized at the 2024 Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration included partners receiving the Michigan 4-H Citation Award, volunteers awarded the Michigan 4-H Salute to Excellence Awards, volunteers awarded the Michigan Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Awards, 50-year 4-H volunteers, winners of the MSU 4-H Scholarship, and retiring 4-H staff.