The CA 4-H Golden Clover Awards recognize outstanding achievements of members, volunteers, program staff, and groups within the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program. This 4-H year, we awarded nine awards to youth, adults, and groups. Each winner demonstrated excellence in their corresponding category. Keep reading to learn about each award...
Robert Brownlee Science Award
The Robert Brownlee Science Award recognizes science inquiry and experiential learning in 4-H work to help youth increase knowledge, skills, and competencies, and to improve their attitudes about science. This includes increasing science awareness and use in 4-H projects by testing predictions and making sense of observations. The Robert Brownlee Science Award is sponsored by the Robert Brownlee Foundation. In honor of the visionary, Robert Brownlee (1942-1991), the Foundation was established in 1987 to provide financial awards for creating and maintaining innovative programs for youth.
Andrew L., Yolo County
Andrew earned this award for his work starting an Astronomy Project at his 4-H club. After attending a local summer camp in 2022, Andrew learned about astronomy and developed the skills to lead a project. Andrew also designed and delivered a presentation about the different types of telescopes to his club, classmates, and county. From giving his presentation to leading the project, Andrew has been putting his skills to great use. Andrew has inspired curiosity and developed leadership skills. Andrew will be furthering his astronomy knowledge and leadership skills as a 4-H Camp Staff member this summer.
Levi S., San Diego County
Levi received this award for his role as a Junior Leader for an Electricity & Electronics project at 56 Ranchers 4-H, Levi's home club. Using his experience with technology, Levi created and presented the MIT Scratch Online Programming for the project and guided the project members through it. Levi also developed a Pencil Vending Machine utilizing his electronics, programming, and mechatronics skills. Levi is on his way to Regional Presentation day with a presentation based on his project.
Member Mentoring
The Member Mentoring Golden Clover award is awarded to a member for changing the life of another youth in a positive manner. This award is only open to youth members. The Member Mentoring award is sponsored by the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation.
Myah D., Placer County
As her 4-H club's president for four years and a Placer County Ambassador, Myah earned this award for her efforts to keep 4-H alive in her club, county, and beyond. Myah is always there to lift up her fellow 4-H'ers when they win ribbons at the county fair or participate in CA 4-H State Field Day. Regardless of the obstacles (like a pandemic) and with a friendly face, Myah never stops encouraging every youth she meets. She knows that as long as she can instill a spark for 4-H and community service, the members she supports will ultimately take her place as a mentor in the lives of future 4-H members.
Stephanie C., Sonoma County
Stephanie earned this award for going above and beyond to contribute her time as a gentle and kind mentor to her fellow project members. In addition to serving as a club officer, Stephanie leads multiple market livestock projects as a teen leader, supporting her project members and guiding them through visiting buyers, writing letters, and more. Stephanie demonstrates hard work, determination, and motivation, and she is working to pass those qualities onto other 4-H members in her community.
Member of Excellence
This category is awarded to a youth member for their personal achievement and improvement. Setting and completing goals, excelling beyond expectations, overcoming hardships--these are all examples of outstanding contributions to the 4-H Youth Development Program that are considered for this award. The Member of Excellence award is sponsored by the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation.
Samantha R., Ventura County
Samantha earned this award for using her 4-H grown skills such as creativity, public speaking, intelligence, and leadership skills to take on roles and responsibilities on every level. From a Club Executive Board Member to a County Ambassador to a California representative for Citizenship Washington Focus, Samantha exemplifies a confident and patient 4-H'er who is committed to actively serving her community. Ever since Samantha was just nine years old, she carefully included other members and encouraged them to be active contributors to the success of their projects, activities, and responsibilities. Samantha has already made goals to return to the 4-H program when she ages out, highlighting her dedication to 4-H and its members.
Civic Engagement
This category recognizes a youth member, group, adult volunteer, and/or program staff for contributions that demonstrate living the definition of civic engagement: working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values, and motivation to make that difference. The Civic Engagement award is sponsored by the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation.
Alameda County 4-H Rising Stars
This team of nine 11 to 14-year-old Alameda County 4-H'ers earned this award for their work leading a County Community Service and Civic Engagement Field Day that benefited their county 4-H program. In addition to securing community partners to host activities and presentations, the Rising Stars team increased participation and engagement by developing a Table Decorating contest for each participant. This contest showed attendees the many service opportunities available in their county. This team of young leaders not only hosted an event that was said to be "one of the best events in the past several years" by attendees, but this team inspired attendees to be active members in their community.
Collaboration & Outreach
This category may be awarded to a member, adult volunteer, and/or group for increased public awareness of the CA 4-H Program. Awardees have involved new youth and adults in 4-H, reached out to communities that have historically not benefited from 4-H, and created partnerships with other youth development organizations. The Collaboration & Outreach award is sponsored by the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation.
J.E.D.I. Youth Task Force, Statewide committee
The J.E.D.I. Youth Task Force earned this award for creating and leading the Hope for Tomorrow Mental Health Awareness Event in September of 2023. Through this free event, this team not only raised awareness about mental health in underrepresented communities and provided free resources to attendees, but broke the silence surrounding mental health and offered support to those who needed it. The youth leaders recruited over forty resource vendors for the event and recruited members to join the 4-H Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Advisory Committee in the future. The youth's commitment to collaboration and outreach is evident and remarkable.
Lifetime Achievement
This category is awarded to an adult volunteer who has dedicated a significant portion of their adult life to the 4-H Program. Those awarded are outstanding volunteers who demonstrate a significant positive impact for 4-H youth. The Lifetime Achievement award is sponsored by the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation.
Tiffany Salters, San Joaquin County
A lover of 4-H and what it stands for, Tiffany earned this awarded for the unbelievable amount of work she has given to the 4-H program over the last decade. From community club leader of Valley View 4-H to leader of the Youth Task Force Team under the JEDI Advisory Committee, Tiffany strives to make 4-H accessible, safe, and fun for everyone. Tiffany brings passion, empathy, and respect to all she does, supporting the 4-H'ers in her community and beyond.
Jack and Robert Clay Outdoor Adventure Golden Clover Award
The Jack and Robert Clay Outdoor Adventure Award recognizes outstanding achievement, leadership, and promotion of 4-H camping and outdoor adventures such as camping, fishing, hiking, climbing, GIS/GPS, among others. The Jack and Robert Clay Outdoor Adventure Award is sponsored by the Friends of Jack and Robert Clay. Following a tragic accident in 1987, this Memorial Award was established by the family and friends of Jack Clay and his son, Robert, who were enthusiastically involved in the 4-H camping and outdoor adventure projects as leader and junior leader in Alameda County.
Tammy Hill, Napa County
Tammy earned this award for her unwavering dedication to the 4-H camp community. Since 2002, Tammy has held the position of the Napa County 4-H Camp Advisor/Director. Providing 4-H teens with the opportunities to contribute their leadership skills, Tammy played a pivotal role in transforming Napa's camp program into a fun, safe, and inclusive learning environment for everyone. Even with the challenging times of the pandemic and the tragic loss of the Napa County campsite, Tammy strove to carry on the meaningful aspects and traditions that Napa County is known for. Tammy also has contributed a great deal to the CA 4-H Camping Advisory Committee, hosting data parties, camping conferences, and various other activities with other phenomenal youth and adults on the committee.
CONGRATULATIONS again to all of our 2023-2024 winners!
We celebrate each of you for all you do to help young people reach their full potential and thrive.
These youth, groups, and adult awardees will be announced during the Closing Ceremonies at the 4-H State Leadership Conference this July.
Now accepting nominations for 2024
Help us recognize the excellent work that California 4-H members, volunteers, groups and staff have been accomplishing in 2024. You can apply and/or nominate a person or group for a Golden Clover Award. Please see the Golden Clover Awards page to learn about all the categories. Nominations are open until September 9, 2024.