MSU Extension 4-H

Cass County 4-H alumnus Dave D. Weatherspoon, Ph.D., of East Lansing, is among ten 4-H alumni inducted into the 2024 class of the Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society. Weatherspoon 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.

Weatherspoon serves as MSU’s vice provost of Enrollment and Academic Strategic Planning and a professor of agricultural, food and resource economics. He leads the university’s enrollment services units: Office of the Registrar, Office of Admissions, Office of Financial Aid and University Curriculum Catalog; Academic Services Budget and Personnel; and Academic Strategic Plan Implementation.

Previously, Weatherspoon served as the assistant provost of Academic Strategic Planning and as the associate dean of Undergraduate Studies in the MSU Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education. His efforts have helped to leverage MSU’s recruitment, admissions, and financial aid resources to decrease student opportunity gaps and improve graduation outcomes.

Weatherspoon arrived at MSU in 1998 as an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics. He came to MSU from Florida A&M University. An applied economist, Weatherspoon is experienced in identifying, analyzing, and organizing in ways that address complex university, business, non-governmental organization, donor, and government agency issues. His research has focused on creating knowledge, business solutions, and policy options to address poverty and hunger. Weatherspoon has led agribusiness programs and research and evaluation teams for the World Bank, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, the U.S. Agency for International Development, global research institutes, and more.

“4-H has been part of the foundation that has allowed me to seek ways, as a land grant scholar, to address the gnarly problems that poverty represents to millions of people,” said Weatherspoon. “My appreciation for the field of agriculture and food supply as a professional was partially inspired by my experiences gardening and competing in 4-H fair competitions.”

A Cass County 4-H’er, Weatherspoon’s 4-H experience led him to MSU where he earned a bachelor’s degree in crop and soil sciences. He later earned a master’s degree in agricultural economics from Penn State and a doctorate in food and resource economics from the University of Florida, Gainesville.

In 1986, Weatherspoon and others created a student organization called Minorities in Agriculture at MSU, which eventually became the national Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (commonly known as MANRRS). He has received the 2021 MSU Lifetime Achievement Award; the 2020 MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award; the 2014 National Role Model Faculty Mentor Award from Minority Access Inc.; and the 2010 MANRRS Legend Award.

Also inducted into the 4-H Emerald Clover Society Class of 2024 were: Sarah A. Black, Eagle; 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; and Shaun T. Wade, Norton Shores. 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.