Volunteers are the heart of North Carolina 4-H. Each year, the North Carolina 4-H Volunteer Leaders’ Association recognizes volunteers, donors, and Extension staff who make a meaningful difference in 4-H programs across the state.
Award Nominations
Nominations may be submitted by 4-H members, parents, volunteers, 4-H professionals, community members, or through self-nomination unless otherwise specified.
- Nominations must be submitted online by November 20, 2026
- County 4-H staff will be notified of award recipients the week of December 7, 2026
- Recipients of 2026 awards will be recognized during the 2027 North Carolina 4-H Volunteer Leaders’ Conference
- Nominees may be considered for multiple awards, but a separate nomination must be submitted for each award category
- Unless otherwise noted, nominations should be based on service provided during the current award year (December 2025 through November 2026)
If you experience technical difficulties or are unable to submit your nomination electronically, please contact your 4-H agent for assistance before the submission deadline.
Select an award category below to review eligibility requirements and access nomination materials.
Volunteer Recognition Awards
- District Individual 4-H Volunteer Recognition
- State Individual 4-H Volunteer Recognition
- State 4-H Volunteer Leadership Team Recognition
- State 4-H School Programming Volunteer Recognition
Partner and Support Awards
Special Volunteer Awards
- Achievement Hall in 4-H Leadership
- Dr. Thearon McKinney Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
- Dr. Kim Ingold Hands to Larger Service Award
Volunteer Scholarships
Volunteer Award Categories
District Individual 4-H Volunteer Recognition
Each county may nominate one (1) volunteer for recognition based on outstanding service to youth over the past year. Nominees may be recognized for direct work with youth, service to other volunteers, advocacy efforts, administrative support, policy leadership, or other contributions that strengthen the 4-H program.
Up to five (5) volunteers per district are recognized with this award annually and presented with a certificate.
This award is sponsored by the NC 4-H Honor Club.
Required Information
- Nominee information
- 75-word narrative statement to be used for publicity
- Describe up to three (3) key activities or events conducted by the nominee during the past year.
- In what other ways has the nominee contributed to the total 4-H program?
- Please share any additional relevant information that might be helpful to those evaluating the nominations.
- Letters of support or reference
State Individual 4-H Volunteer Recognition
This award honors volunteers whose service has made a significant impact on the 4-H program over the past year. Nominees may be recognized for excellence in service to other volunteers, indirect service to youth, advocacy, administration, or policy development.
Up to three (3) volunteers per district are recognized with this award annually and presented with a plaque.
Prerequisite: Nominees must have previously received the District Individual 4-H Volunteer Recognition Award.
Required Information
- Nominee information
- Year District Individual 4-H Adult Recognition Award Was Received
- 75-word narrative statement to be used for publicity
- Describe up to three (3) key activities or events conducted by the nominee during the past year.
- In what other ways has the nominee contributed to the total 4-H program?
- Please share any additional relevant information that might be helpful to those evaluating the nominations.
- Letters of support or reference
State 4-H Volunteer Leadership Team Recognition
This award honors volunteer leadership teams that have demonstrated excellence in supporting club programs and helping youth develop life skills through 4-H involvement over the past year.
Up to one (1) team per district is recognized with this award annually and presented with a plaque.
Required Information
- Team information
- 75-word narrative statement to be used for publicity
- Describe up to three (3) key activities or events conducted by the team during the past year.
- In what other ways has the team contributed to the total 4-H program?
- Please share any additional relevant information that might be helpful to those evaluating the nominations.
- Letters of support or reference
State 4-H School Programming Volunteer Recognition
This award honors volunteers who have demonstrated excellence in supporting 4-H school enrichment or after-school programming over the past year.
Selection criteria include innovative teaching strategies, effective use of community resources, integration of traditional 4-H methods, and overall program quality.
Up to one (1) volunteer per district is recognized with this award annually and presented with a plaque.
Required Information
- Nominee information
- 75-word narrative statement to be used for publicity
- Describe up to three (3) key activities or events conducted by the nominee during the past year.
- In what other ways has the nominee contributed to the total 4-H program?
- Please share any additional relevant information that might be helpful to those evaluating the nominations.
- Letters of support or reference
Partner and Support Award Categories
4-H Donor Recognition
This award honors individuals, businesses, organizations, or groups that have provided significant financial or in-kind support to 4-H programs at the club, county, district, or state level.
Eligible nominees must not have previously received donor recognition at a higher level.
Up to one (1) individual, group or company per district is recognized with this award annually and presented with a plaque.
Required Information
- Donor or organization information
- 75-word narrative statement to be used for publicity
- Describe up to three (3) specific actions, contributions, events, or initiatives through which the nominee has supported 4-H.
- In what other ways has the nominee contributed to the total 4-H program?
- Please share any additional relevant information that might be helpful to those evaluating the nominations.
- Letters of support or reference
Extension Staff Volunteer Support Recognition
This award recognizes paid North Carolina Cooperative Extension staff members who have demonstrated extraordinary support for 4-H volunteers and volunteer-led programming at the county, district, state, regional, or national level.
Qualified nominees include paid staff whose primary contributions support volunteers in their work with youth, rather than for paid staff working directly with youth.
Up to five (5) individuals are recognized with this award annually and presented with a plaque. This award can only be won once during an individual‘s professional career.
Prerequisite: As of the nomination date, nominees must have at least two (2) years of employment with significant responsibilities in 4-H youth development.
Required Information
- Nominee information
- 75-word narrative statement to be used for publicity
- Describe up to three (3) specific actions, contributions, events, or initiatives through which the nominee has provided support to 4-H volunteers in their work.
- What impact has the nominee's support had on volunteers, youth, and the overall 4-H program?
- Please share any additional relevant information that might be helpful to those evaluating the nominations.
- Letters of support or reference
Special Volunteer Award Categories
Achievement Hall in 4-H Leadership
The Achievement Hall in 4-H Leadership recognizes volunteers with at least ten (10) years of outstanding and continuous service to the 4-H program at the county, district, state, regional, or national level.
Up to two (2) volunteers are recognized with this award annually and presented with a plaque.
Recipients are added to a permanent display housed at the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Center.
This award is sponsored by the NC 4-H Honor Club.
Prerequisite: Nominees must have previously received both the District Individual 4-H Volunteer Recognition Award and the State Individual 4-H Volunteer Recognition Award.
Required Information
- Nominee information
- Years previous recognition awards were received
- 75-word narrative statement to be used for publicity
- Describe up to three (3) of the most significant activities, contributions, events, or initiatives through which the nominee has demonstrated outstanding volunteer leadership during the past ten (10) years.
- What impact has the nominee's volunteer service had on youth, volunteers, and the community?
- In what other ways has the nominee contributed to the total 4-H program?
- Please share any additional relevant information that might be helpful to those evaluating the nominations.
- Letters of support or reference
Dr. Thearon McKinney Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
The Dr. Thearon McKinney Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award is one of the highest honors presented by the NC 4-H Volunteer Leaders’ Association. It recognizes a volunteer with ten (10) or more years of exceptional service and leadership in North Carolina 4-H.
Service may be provided directly to 4-H members, through support of other volunteers, or in advisory, advocacy, or fund development roles.
One (1) volunteer is recognized with this award each year.
This award is supported by the Dr. Mike Davis 4-H Family Endowment for Innovation and Excellence.
Prerequisite: Nominees must have previously received both the District Individual 4-H Volunteer Recognition Award and the State Individual 4-H Volunteer Recognition Award.
Required Information
- Nominee information
- Years previous recognition awards were received
- 75-word narrative statement to be used for publicity
- Describe up to three (3) of the most significant activities, contributions, events, or initiatives through which the nominee has demonstrated outstanding volunteer leadership during the past ten (10) years.
- What impact has the nominee's volunteer service had on youth, volunteers, and the community?
- In what other ways has the nominee contributed to the total 4-H program?
- Please share any additional relevant information that might be helpful to those evaluating the nominations.
- Letters of support or reference
Dr. Kim Ingold Hands to Larger Service
The Dr. Kim Ingold Hands to Larger Service Award recognizes volunteers who have demonstrated exceptional hands-on service benefiting the 4-H program, other volunteers, or their communities at the county, district, state, or national levels.
This award honors the legacy of the late Dr. Kim Ingold and the 4-H value of putting your “hands to larger service.”
One (1) volunteer is recognized with this award each year and presented with a plaque. This award can only be won by a volunteer (or team of volunteers) once.
Required Information
- Nominee information
- 75-word narrative statement to be used for publicity
- Describe up to three (3) specific examples of how the nominee has demonstrated "hands to larger service" during their years of volunteer service.
- How has the nominee embodied the spirit of "hands to larger service" through their volunteer service?
- Please share any additional relevant information that might be helpful to those evaluating the nominations.
- Letters of support or reference
Volunteer Scholarship Categories
Anna Williams Volunteer Conference of Southern States Scholarship
The Anna Williams Volunteer Conference of Southern States Scholarship provides financial support for a North Carolina 4-H volunteer to attend the 4-H Volunteer Conference of Southern States at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Georgia.
The scholarship award honors Anna Williams, a dedicated Caldwell County 4-H volunteer leader for more than 30 years, whose fondest 4-H memories included attending the Southern Region 4-H Volunteer Forum, now known as the Volunteer Conference of Southern States.
One (1) volunteer can receive this scholarship ($100) each year to attend the conference in the fall of the year awarded. A plaque is also presented to the recipient.
Scholarships are non-transferable and must be used for full-time conference participation within the specified timeframe.
Required Information
- Nominee information
- Has the nominee previously attended the Volunteer Conference of Southern States?
- Has the nominee previously received a scholarship to attend a 4-H volunteer conference or training?
- Does the nominee receive financial assistance from their county 4-H program to attend the Volunteer Conference of Southern States?
- 75-word narrative statement to be used for publicity
- What does the nominee hope to gain from attending the Volunteer Conference of Southern States, and how do they plan to apply what they learn to strengthen their local 4-H program?
- How will this scholarship support the nominee's participation in the Volunteer Conference of Southern States?
- Describe one (1) of the nominee's most meaningful or memorable experiences as a 4-H volunteer.
- Please share any additional relevant information that might be helpful to those evaluating the nominations.
NC4-HVLA Conference Scholarships
The NC4-HVLA Conference Scholarships provide financial support for volunteers attending the annual NC 4-H Volunteer Leaders’ Conference.
Scholarships are intended to support volunteers seeking professional development and continued involvement in the 4-H program.
Up to one (1) volunteer per district can receive this scholarship ($125) each year to attend the next NC 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Conference.
This scholarship may only be awarded to an individual once. Scholarships are non-transferable and must be used for full-time conference participation within the specified timeframe.
Required Information
- Nominee information
- Has the nominee previously attended the NC4-HVLA Volunteer Leaders' Conference?
- Has the nominee previously received a scholarship to attend a 4-H volunteer conference or training?
- Does the nominee receive financial assistance from their county 4-H program to attend the NC4-HVLA Volunteer Leaders' Conference?
- 75-word narrative statement to be used for publicity
- What does the nominee hope to gain from attending the NC4-HVLA Volunteer Leaders' Conference, and how do they plan to apply what they learn to strengthen their local 4-H program?
- How will this scholarship support the nominee's participation in the NC4-HVLA Volunteer Leaders' Conference?
- Describe one (1) of the nominee's most important or meaningful experiences as a 4-H volunteer.
- Please share any additional relevant information that might be helpful to those evaluating the nominations.
NC4-HVLA Volunteer Conference of Southern States Scholarships
The NC4-HVLA Volunteer Conference of Southern States Scholarships provide financial support for North Carolina 4-H volunteers to attend the 4-H Volunteer Conference of Southern States at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in Georgia.
These scholarships support volunteers seeking additional leadership development and training opportunities.
Up to five (5) volunteers can receive this scholarship ($100) annually to attend the conference in the fall of the year awarded.
This scholarship may only be awarded to an individual once. Scholarships are non-transferable and must be used for full-time conference participation within the specified timeframe.
Required Information
- Nominee information
- Has the nominee previously attended the Volunteer Conference of Southern States?
- Has the nominee previously received a scholarship to attend a 4-H volunteer conference or training?
- Does the nominee receive financial assistance from their county 4-H program to attend the Volunteer Conference of Southern States?
- 75-word narrative statement to be used for publicity
- What does the nominee hope to gain from attending the Volunteer Conference of Southern States, and how do they plan to apply what they learn to strengthen their local 4-H program?
- How will this scholarship support the nominee's participation in the Volunteer Conference of Southern States?
- Describe one (1) of the nominee's most important or meaningful experiences as a 4-H volunteer.
- Please share any additional relevant information that might be helpful to those evaluating the nominations.
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