Fry honored as outstanding 4-H agriculture volunteer
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EmailCathy Fry of Isabella County is among five Michigan Farm Bureau 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award recipients honored in 2026.
Cathy Fry, of Isabella County, is among five outstanding 4-H volunteers honored with the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award in 2026. This award recognizes the outstanding achievements of Michigan 4-H volunteers or groups that have exhibited excellence in 4-H youth education and leadership development in the areas of 4-H beef cattle; dairy cattle; goats; horses; horticulture, crops and soils; poultry; rabbits; sheep; swine; and veterinary science project areas.
Fry has dedicated 28 years to helping young people discover the opportunities, skills and values found through agriculture. As leader of the Isabella County Dairy Dreamers 4-H Club, Fry has created countless hands-on learning experiences that build agricultural knowledge, leadership and confidence while inspiring youth to explore futures in the agricultural industry.
A dairy educator and mentor, Fry is known for connecting young people with real-world agricultural experiences. She hosts the annual Moo Madness event at her farm, where youth and families learn firsthand about dairy production, animal care, farm management and the role agriculture plays in everyday life. She also developed the 4-H in Agriculture Learning Series, introducing youth to topics such as livestock nutrition, pollination, crop production and emerging technologies in agriculture. Through these experiences, youth gain practical knowledge while exploring potential agricultural career paths.
“My greatest reward is watching my 4-H’ers grow in confidence, make new friends, and continuing to share with younger members what they have learned,” said Fry.
Fry’s commitment to positive youth development extends far beyond agricultural education. She empowers youth to lead community activities, teach others about agriculture and take ownership of service projects that make a difference locally and beyond. Under her leadership, Fry’s 4-H club members have supported disaster relief efforts, organized community service projects and served as ambassadors for agriculture and 4-H.
Fry also has a long record of developing successful youth leaders and agricultural competitors. Her coaching of dairy management teams has helped Michigan youth achieve success at the state and national levels, including national championships and top individual honors in dairy science competitions. More importantly, she has helped countless young people develop the critical thinking, communication and problem-solving skills needed for success in agriculture and life. Fry’s nearly three decades of service have and will continue to shape a stronger future for Isabella County 4-H and Michigan agriculture.
MFB Excellence in Agriculture Award honorees are recognized by Michigan State University Extension, Michigan 4-H and MFB. Each receives a $1,000 grant, funded by the MFB 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Endowment at the Michigan 4-H Foundation. Awardees use the grants to help support a 4-H agricultural program of their choosing, or for volunteer training, supplies or curricula to enhance 4-H programming locally and statewide. Honorees will also receive a personalized recognition memento and be honored at the Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration scheduled for October 3 in Lansing.
Other recipients of the 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award in 2026 are Erica Drake of Washtenaw County, Melissa Gordon of Monroe County, Bryan Shirk of Branch County and Michelle Short of Macomb County. To learn more about the MFB 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award and honorees, visit https://mi4hfdtn.org/4-h-emerald-awards/michigan-farm-bureau-4-h-excellence-in-agriculture-award. To learn more about the Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration, visit https://mi4hfdtn.org/legacy-awards.
