Labadie and Thompson honored as outstanding 4-H agriculture volunteers
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EmailTyler Labadie and Garrett Thompson of Barry County are among six Michigan Farm Bureau 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award recipients honored in 2025.
Tyler Labadie and Garrett Thompson, of Barry County, are among six outstanding 4-H volunteers honored with the Michigan Farm Bureau (MFB) 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award in 2025. This award recognizes the outstanding achievements of Michigan 4-H volunteers or groups that have exhibited excellence in 4-H youth education and leadership development in the areas of beef cattle; dairy cattle; goats; horses; horticulture, crops and soils; poultry; rabbits; sheep; swine; and veterinary science project areas.
Originally from Delta and Clare counties respectively, Labadie and Thompson spend considerable time giving back to the 4-H communities in which they grew up. After aging out of the Clare County program, Thompson started helping his former 4-H club, teaching youth about rabbits and horses. Later, Thompson and Labadie developed the Clare County Fair Skillathon contest, which they still run each year. In the U.P., both Thompson and Labadie have served on the Department Advisory Committee at the U.P. State Fair and organized and hosted numerous livestock clinics for U.P. youth, recognizing there are often fewer opportunities for those in the north than in the Lower Peninsula.
Beyond their local involvement, Labadie and Thompson have given their time to many statewide initiatives, as well. They volunteer at 4-H events such as the Michigan 4-H Dairy Conference and the Michigan 4-H Livestock Workshop. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Labadie and Thompson developed worksheets to help youth continue learning about their projects. They provide livestock to youth to show at no expense, making the beef project available to young people without resources, and are frequently found ringside at various livestock events, helping 4-H’ers from across the state. Labadie and Thompson also sponsor workshops and awards, as well as support local 4-H’ers in applying for scholarships, contests and more.
“Our greatest reward for being 4-H volunteers is being able to give back to the program that taught us both so much,” said Labadie and Thompson. “We both enjoy educating the next generation and watching youth grow throughout their 4-H journey.”
Beyond the skills they teach and knowledge they instill, Labadie and Thompson work to advance the 4-H guiding principles by helping young people to develop effective communication, leadership and time management skills. As volunteers and mentors, they support youth in conflict management and encourage 4-H’ers to help those around them by sharing what they’ve learned. Labadie and Thompson’s commitment to providing opportunities and experiences for underserved youth contribute not only to agriculture education and expertise, but also a sense of purpose, belonging and commitment as they supply a safe space for youth to learn, grow and succeed with whatever resources they may have.
MFB 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award honorees are recognized by both Michigan 4-H and MFB. Each receives a $1,000 grant, funded by the MFB 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Endowment at the Michigan 4-H Foundation. Awardees use the grants to help support a 4-H agricultural program of their choosing, or for volunteer training, supplies or curricula to enhance 4-H programming locally and statewide. Honorees will also receive a personalized recognition memento.
Other recipients of the MFB 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Awards in 2025 are Brigitte Grobbel of Clinton County, Genevieve Hecht of Tuscola County, Michelle Holladay of Oceana County and Jennifer Laux of Saginaw County. To learn more about the MFB 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award and honorees, visit https://mi4hfdtn.org/4-h-emerald-awards/michigan-farm-bureau-4-h-excellence-in-agriculture-award/.
