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Michigan 4-H plates available for drivers soon

Michigan 4-H license plates were approved in the latest budget to help raise funds for the state’s largest youth organization.

Lisa Bottomley, co-director of Michigan State University Extension’s Children and Youth Institute which oversees the program, tells Brownfield the Michigan 4-H Foundation will distribute the funds raised through grants.

“Using these dollars to support some of our statewide programming, like 4-H Exploration Days, we also have local programming that our local staff will be able to submit requests for to provide some of that local support,” she explains.

Bottomley says 4-H recently became free for all participants and the program also fills funding gaps to help youth become work and life ready.

“As we look at our priorities, we really are looking at what are we doing to help young people prepare for what’s next and what’s next depends on their age,” she explains. “We can always help them build developmentally the skills and competencies needed to be successful.”

The bipartisan legislation was first introduced in last fall by State Representatives Matthew Bierlein of Vassar and Reggie Miller of Van Buren Township.

AUDIO: Lisa Bottomley, Michigan State University Extension