Champions of Excellence Awards recognize county Farm Bureaus for outstanding efforts to implement member-developed policy, advocate organizational positions, inform consumers and promote Michigan agriculture.
A who’s-who roster of Michigan’s county Farm Bureaus have earned 2025 Champions of Excellence Awards. Designed to acknowledge county Farm Bureaus’ efforts in advocating for agriculture and engaging members, MFB’s annual Champions of Excellence recognition is awarded annually in two categories, Involvement and Grassroots.
Involvement-category winners were recognized in the first article in this series. Here’s a second batch of winners in the grassroots category:
Hillsdale backs fair youth
Hillsdale County Farm Bureau’s renewed focus on up-and-coming farm youth inspired two new activities targeting members’ younger children and students involved in local 4-H groups: a free breakfast for 4-Hers exhibiting at the county fair and an add-on bid program that boosted the final payout to young livestock exhibitors.
The board of directors and ad hoc fair committee planned improvements with the aim of increasing young people’s interest in staying connected with agriculture. One goal was to maximize existing programs to lessen the already high demand on active members’ volunteer hours, while still making valuable connections with promising youth.
A mix of Farm Bureau veterans and newcomers prepared and served a hearty breakfast spread for 4-H exhibitors, starting their week on the grounds with a full belly, and at no cost to them. Carefully timed to avoid conflict with other fair-week events, the breakfast set a stage for conversation between 4-H youth and parents about who was who and why the meal was offered.
Buyer letters doubled as applications for the add-on bid program, which augmented the final price qualified exhibitors received for their animal. Several members — several previously uninvolved — nominated youngsters who fit the criteria and qualified for the bonus.
Together the two programs reached approximately 100 people and achieved goals of supporting and connecting with youth while promoting the county Farm Bureau — and distinguishing it from the insurance affiliate.
Washtenaw celebrates Project RED
Washtenaw County Farm Bureau celebrated a landmark anniversary of its marquee outreach event — Project RED (Rural Education Days) — innovated there 35 years ago this year. Planning began months in advance for celebrating the program’s longevity and reach, sharing appreciation with decades of volunteers and sponsors that have fueled RED’s success.
Project RED focuses on informing third-graders about the importance of agriculture and natural resources in daily life. Its format — bussing students to a central location where they circulate among informative education stations, each focused on a different facet of Michigan agriculture — proved a wildly successful template, now replicated hundreds of times statewide.
A planning committee began by compiling an honor roll of supporters, volunteers, donors and sponsors from throughout the program’s history. Every now-familiar component of Project RED was celebrated in turn, from the creativity behind diverse ag-ed learning stations to the dedication demonstrated by generations of Farm Bureau members, volunteering their time to provide a far-reaching but cohesive educational event.
Promotional materials ranged from vintage to current, including displays from previous events, commodity-specific posters and modern invitations with QR codes and Eventbrite links. Social media played a big role in promoting the event as well, with the county Farm Bureau and 4-H clubs’ online presences reaching thousands.
An historical brochure detailing the event’s history and a slideshow from across the years drew countless comments and flashbacks from days gone by.
Following dinner, one of the event’s founding members opened the program with a warm welcome, underscoring the familial connections forged among volunteers working the event year after year. Among those relationships are the closeknit bonds forged between the county Farm Bureau and area schools; certificates of gratitude went to those schools that’ve taken part in RED since the start.
Altogether more than 100 people were recognized for their contributions, including the volunteers so vital to reaching more than 80,400 third-graders, teachers and chaperones over 35 years.
The variety of attendees include state and federal lawmakers, Michigan Farm Bureau leaders and staff, and a strong contingent from MSU Extension, including Director Quentin Tyler, who remarked, “It was like a family reunion!”
Look for another batch of Champions of Excellence district winners in the next Farm Gate, Oct. 7.
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