Volunteers are the heart and soul of 4-H. In an age when time is at a premium, 4-H Salute to Excellence Awards are an opportunity to acknowledge our volunteers' unwavering dedication to the 4-H Youth Development Movement. Research shows that volunteers are the key to positive youth development because of their longtime mentorship of 4-H youth.
Each year, state 4-H programs are invited to nominate two outstanding individual volunteers--one in each of two categories:
- The Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award is given to an individual who has spent 10 or more years volunteering for 4-H.
- The Volunteer of the Year Award is given to an individual who has volunteered for 4-H less than 10 years.
Recipients of the 4-H Salute to Excellence Volunteer Recognition Awards are chosen from nominees submitted by state 4-H offices.
2013 Program Information & Deadlines
- October, 2012: STE Nominations can be received on
Council's Web Grants system http://grants.4-h.org
- November 16, 2012: 2013 nominations close
- January 4, 2013: Regional 2013 winners announced
- April 2013: National winners announced during National Volunteer Week
- Regional 2013 winners recognized at Regional Volunteer Leader Forums as scheduled
- October 2013: National winners recognized at NAE4-HA
4-H Salute to Excellence 2012
We are pleased to announce the 2012 Salute to Excellence award winners and share their 4-H experiences and stories.
Each year, the 4-H Salute to Excellence awards honor four regional honorees per award category. An Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer and Volunteer of the Year are named for each region. The eight regional winners become nominees for the national award, and one volunteer from each category will be named the national winner.
Recipients will be presented with a monetary award (to be donated to a local 4-H program of the recipient's choosing). National awardees will also have their name engraved on the 4-H Salute to Excellence Perpetual Plaque located at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center.
When nominating potential recipients, please check first with your State 4-H Youth Development Director or Volunteer Specialist regarding the process in your state.
2012 4-H Salute to Excellence Award Winners