Volunteer Recognition

The Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program strives to recognize those that dedicate themselves and their time to the youth of Texas. Currently, volunteers and alumni are recognized. Please see the resources below for more information on the awards program:

Volunteer Awards Program Information

Volunteer Awards Program Handbook  (PDF) - Will be posted when available.

Texas 4-H Salute to Excellence Award

This award recognizes outstanding 4-H volunteers for their service to 4-H programs and the impact that they have had on the lives of young people. Each distirct may select two recipients who will be honored with this award. The awards are sponsored by the Texas 4-H and Youth Development PRogram. Districts are strongly encouraged to submit one ward winner for excellence in club work (community, project, school) and one award winner for excellence through special interest and curriculum enrichment programs. Selections are made at the district level with two copies of the nomination forms forwarded to the Texas 4-H Office.

Previous Awards Winners           (PDF) - Will be posted when available.

Texas 4-H Leader Legacy Award

The Leader Legacy Award recognizes a 4-H leader who has been an integral part of the 4-H and Youth Development Program for 20 years or more. The person who is nominated for this award may or may not be the person who is always in the spotlight, but is the one who makes an impact and a difference on the 4-H members with whom he/she works.

Specific requirements for this award include:

  • Twenty (20) or more years of service to 4-H as a volunteer leader.
  • Continuing support of the 4-H program at any level.
  • Must have been a club manager or project leader in a county in Texas for at least five (5) years.

Nominations for the Leader Legacy Award may be made by 4-H members, 4-H volunteers, County Commissioners, State Specialists, county Extension agents, program assistants, District or County Extension Administrators, other program partners/collaborators.

Previous Awards Winners           (PDF) - Will be posted when available.

Texas 4-H Alumni Award 

(Sponsored by Texas 4-H Friends and Alumni Association)

The Texas 4-H Alumni Award will recognize adults who have made significant achievements IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. Consideration is given to individuals who demonstrated an outstanding record of achievement AS A 4-H MEMBER and who have shown evidence of 4-H's influence on their adult lives. Continued service to 4-H in adulthood is very important. No current Extension employee may receive this award.

Previous Awards Winners           (PDF) - Will be posted when available.

Texas 4-H Citation for Outstanding Service to 4-H 

This award recognizes an individual, business or organization who has made an outstanding contribution to Texas 4-H programs on a regional or state basis. Awards are generally made based on a long-term commitment rather than a one-time program.

Previous Awards Winners           (PDF) - Will be posted when available.

Meritorious Service Award 

(Sponsored by Volunteer Leaders Association of Texas) 

The 4-H Volunteers Leaders’ Association of Texas annually recognizes an outstanding county Extension agent, county Extension director, or program assistant and an outstanding Extension Specialist (any program area) or District Extension Administrator with the Meritorious Service Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize Extension faculty members for their role in making 4-H volunteers more effective. These nominations should not be limited to 4-H Faculty. There are many deserving faculty members whose major responsibilities fall in other program areas. All nominations should be made by a 4-H member or Adult Leaders’ Association member and forwarded to the local county Extension agent. (Should you nominate your agent, forward the form to another local agent.) The agent will verify the nomination contents and forward it to the appropriate District Extension Administrator for review and submission to the state 4-H office. Nominees must be a resident of Texas and have been paid staff or faculty with Texas AgriLife Extension Service/Texas 4-H for the immediate past five (5) years. Two awards are given annually.

Previous Awards Winners           (PDF) - Will be posted when available.

State Contact Information

Mr. Kyle Merten
Extension Associate - 4-H
7607 Eastmark Drive, Suite 101
College Station, TX 77840
Phone: 979/845-6533
Fax: 979/845-6495
E-mail:  kjmerten@ag.tamu.edu