2026 Older Member Awards Including Trips

Written by THERESA LACHAPPELLE Posted on

2026 4-H Older member Award Opportunities

** Your “grade” is the grade you are entering this September 2026

4-H Key Award
(Students entering your senior year)

 This prestigious award provides special recognition to 4-H members in their senior year of high school who have demonstrated consistent growth in the 4-H program, developed and applied their leadership skills, and actively participated in the functions of their club and community.  4-H’ers must have completed at least three years in the program.  The award is sponsored by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.

Applicants need to complete the following:

  1. Include a 500-word essay: “How I Have Grown Through 4-H.”
  2. Complete older member award application
  3. Ask for a letter of recommendation from your Club Leader.
  4. All record books from past years are to be submitted

Winners receive a framed certificate, a personalized plaque, and pin.

Awards Selected on Basis of Older Member Award Application

  • Beginning Leadership Award (Grades 8-12)
    This award is intended for youth in eighth grade or older who are just beginning their 4-H leadership and have demonstrated good leadership qualities.  Recipients will be recognized with a certificate for outstanding beginning leadership.
  • Outstanding Leadership Award (Grades 10-12)
    This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated consistent leadership abilities at club and county levels.  Tenth grade or older will be selected and awarded a certificate of recognition.
  • Outstanding Youth Project Leader (Grades 8-12)
    This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the ability to teach younger members project-related skills.
  • Beginning Community Service Award (Grades 8-12)
    This award recognizes individuals who have excelled in service to their communities.  Include all community service for the last three years with your application.
  • Outstanding Community Service Award (Grades 10-12)
    This award recognizes members grades 10 and up who have taken a leadership role in providing service to their community. 
  • Young Entrepreneur Award (Grades 8-12)
    This award is intended for youth in 8th grade or older who are beginning their own small business venture.
    On a separate page please describe your small business. Include
    • What you have learned,
    • How long you have been running a small business, and
    • What your plans are for the future.
  • Advanced Entrepreneurship Award (Grades 10-12)
    This award recognizes an individual in 10th grade or older, who has grown in their experience in running a small business.
    On a separate page please describe your small business. Include:
    • What you have learned,
    • How long you have been running a small business, and
    • What your plans are for the future.
  • 4-H Ambassadors (Grades 8-12)
    Our 4-H Ambassadors are the role models of our county 4-H program. Applicants to the Ambassador program should be dedicated and ambitious 4-H members who are interested in collaborating with other county youth to improve the Bayfield County 4-H program. Youth in 4-H will be recognized for their involvement and knowledge of the 4-H program and their desire to serve as 4-H Ambassadors.  Bayfield County 4-H Ambassador duties include reaching the public with the 4-H story, helping other 4-H’ers better understand the 4-H program, promoting 4-H programs and events in the media, and assisting with and hosting 4-H programs and events.
  • To apply to be an Ambassador:
  •  Ask a 4-H leader to submit a recommendation for you.
  • Complete the Older Member Awards application
    OR
  • Write a letter to the Bayfield County Leaders Association describing:
    • Why 4-H is important to you,
    • Why you would like to be a 4-H Ambassador, and
    • What you hope to accomplish in 4-H over the next couple of years.
      • (This letter should be ¾-1 page long.)
  • Legislative Citation (Grades 11-12)
    This prestigious award recognizes an individual in 11th grade or older who has demonstrated outstanding service and leadership in their community through their 4-H involvement.  
    • An essay describing the applicant’s leadership and community service should be included with the application. 
    • All applicants must have received the Outstanding Community Service Award & the Outstanding Leadership award. 
      • The panel may nominate one qualified candidate per year.
      • The successful candidate will receive a citation signed by a State Legislator representing Bayfield County to be presented at the 4-H Recognition Dinner.

4-H TRIP & TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES

  • FALL FORUM 2026, Grades 7-13. November 6-8, Steven’s Point, WI

The Wisconsin 4-H Fall Forum provides youth and adult volunteers the opportunity to learn, teach, network, and discuss critical issues and initiatives with the 4-H Youth Development program area state and local staff on policies affecting Wisconsin 4-H. 4-H youth and adult leaders will come together to connect, collaborate, celebrate, and continue building excitement and energy for a new year of 4-H learning.

  • The 4-H Leaders Association will pay full costs for members and leaders to attend for their first time at Fall Forum. (At the early bird registration, carpooling/county van, and quad hotel room rates.)
  • SUMMER ACADEMY: Grades 8-10. Four days mid- late June @ UW Madison Campus
  • This Positive Youth Development conference will help you discover pathways to your future. Sign up to learn what it takes to have a career, or a hobby in several SPARK areas including agriculture, STEM, service, leadership, arts, trades, and many more. There will be fun opportunities to build networks and friendships with folks from all over the state of WI. Takes place on the UW-Madison campus with lodging in UW residence halls.
  • AMERICAN SPIRIT:  Grades 8-10. 3 10-day trip dates to choose from in June & July.
  • The American Spirit East Leadership Program is an opportunity for youth to develop knowledge of America’s Heritage, citizenship and leadership through a 10-day educational tour of historical sites in the Eastern states & Canada including Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, & Niagara Falls.
  • If awarded, the 4-H Leaders Association will cover up to ½ of the cost of this trip not to exceed $1000. ($3000+ total). Your estimated cost will be $2000+. https://4h.extension.wisc.edu/opportunities/statewide-events-and-opportunities/american-spirit-east/
  • 4-H SENIOR TRIP: Grades 11-12.
  • This is a special opportunity to receive funding for a project related educational experience of your choice. This should be a conference, show, or learning opportunity related to a 4-H project that you are passionate about. Individuals can only be awarded this trip one time, either during their junior or senior year of high school.

**You can be creative with this trip. This is your opportunity to advance your learning in the 4-H project you are passionate about. There is likely some type of educational experience out there related to that project, it will just require some research on your part.

  •  If awarded, The Bayfield County 4-H Leaders Association will pay half of or up to $800 of your trip costs including registration, & lodging.
    • Some examples of this trip include:
    • 4-H offerings such as:
      • Advanced Space Academy,
      • 4-H Congress,
      • National 4-H Conference,
      • International 4-H travel,
      • Youth as Partners in Civic leadership,
      • Ignite,
      • Citizenship Washington Focus,
      • Etc.
    • Conferences or shows not affiliated with 4-H but with a project focus, for example:
      • Those involved in one of the animal projects might consider attending an animal specific conference or show (beef, horse, rabbit, dogs, veterinary science etc.)
      • Or someone passionate about the woodworking project might advance their skills by taking a specific workshop, or by attending a construction or woodworking related conference.
  •  In order to apply for this trip, please include an additional page answering the planning questions below.
  • Trip details
    • What 4-H project this trip is related to?
    • Please detail your experience and growth in this 4-H project.
    • How long have you been in the project?
    • Why do you enjoy it?
    • How have you grown through taking this project?
    • Name of conference, show, etc. that you wish to attend.
    • Description of conference, show, etc.
    • What do you hope to learn and gain from this experience?
    • How will you share what you learn with your club and community?
  • Trip costs
    • Total estimated cost
      • Registration fees
      • Lodging cost- if not included in registration fee
        • Please research costs for affordable area hotels.

Return to Older Member Award Application Form

Please reach out to Clair Emmons, Bayfield County 4-H Educator with any questions 715-373-3289 or via email.

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