The young people who exhibit routinely at the Berrien County Youth Fair under the auspices of 4-H many times become community and business leaders who help advance the entire region in a whole host of ways. During recent elections, a number of those young people earned new roles in the executive ranks of their own organization, and that bodes well for their future and ours.
The Berrien County 4-H Leaders Association recently held its annual elections for open seats on its executive board, also known as the Berrien County 4-H Leaders Council. The Berrien County 4-H Leaders Council serves as counsel to the 4-H Program Coordinator for 4-H Youth Development and the Berrien County MSUE staff. Council members, in addition to their monthly meetings, serve as chairs to various committees that provide events throughout the Berrien County 4-H program that included, but are not limited to, 5K Trail Run/Walk 4-Health, Seasonal Expo, 4-H Recognition Banquet, 4-H Holiday Bash, County Projects and scholarship selections.
Newly appointed Representatives will serve a three-year term as an Adult Director or a two-year term as a Teen Director. Voting took place between October 1 – November 10, 2017. 4-H youth between the ages of 13-19 years were able to cast their ballot for two teen representatives, while Adult Leaders voted for three adult representatives.
The 2018 Adults elected to Council include:
- Chrissy Bradford – Club Coordinator for High Spirits 4-H Club
- Mark Dinges – Leader for Redbud Country Goats 4-H Club
- Amber Smith – Leader for Backyard Renegades 4-H Club
The 2018 Teens elected to Council:
- Darlene Mattson – Teen Leader for Town & Country Paws & Pals 4-H Club,
- Straight Shooters 4-H Club, Best Friends 4-H Club &
- Countrysiders 4-H Club
- Reese McKee – Teen Leader for Redbud Country Goats 4-H Club
Newly, appointed Representatives will be officially “seated” on the Council during the January 22, 2018 Re-organizational meeting. Council members still serving terms include Bobbi Lawson (Galien Chanters 4-H Club), Amanda Pullins (Backyard Renegades 4-H Club), Emily Melton (Galien Chanters 4-H Club), Roxy Cochran (Tryon 4-H Saddle Club), Tracie Baker (Baroda Bunnies 4-H Club), Natasha Hesser (Point of Impact 4-H Club), and Sydney Melton – Teen (Galien Chanters 4-H Club/Baroda Bunnies 4-H Club)
For more information about Berrien County 4-H, you are invited to contact Kelly Stelter, 4-H Program Coordinator at 269-927-5674 ext. 4015 or via email at grandtke@anr.msu.edu.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
