2026 Annual Meeting: New Trustees, Corporators, and Award Winners
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The Foundation held its 71st Annual Meeting of the Corporators on Wednesday, May 13, at Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife in Westborough! The Corporators were pleased to elect two new Trustees, Caitlyn Bowles and Hayley Trahan-Liptak, and three new Corporators, Jim McDermott, Steve Whittimore, and David Walsh. Attendees also heard from our Kent Lage Leadership Award recipients, Kaelyn and Taylor, (learn more below) as well as last year’s awardees. Guests enjoyed a Visual Presentation and a dance performance by the Freedom Dance 4-H Club. Thank you to all who attended the Annual Meeting!
| | Massachusetts 4-H Hearts and Hands Alumni Association at The Big E | | |
The Massachusetts 4-H Hearts and Hands Alumni Association is planning its first official gathering at 4-H Day at The Big E 2026 on Saturday, September 19th. If you are a 4-H alum living in Massachusetts, you may have aged out of the program, but you can stay active with 4-H! Join the Association to stay informed and engaged, reconnect with a powerful network, and build connections where you live. No cost to join and it takes just a minute. To ensure we have your contact information and 4-H interests, please complete this brief form to join the Alumni Association. Thank you!
| | | The 24th Annual Shirley Kane Memorial 4-H Golf Tournament is September 21st | | |
Preparations are in full force for the 24th Annual Shirley Kane Memorial 4-H Golf Tournament to be held September 21st at 10:00 a.m. at Holden Hills Country Club. Sign up to play here. The Foundation is also seeking tournament sponsors from companies of all kinds. When you or your workplace sponsors the tournament, you support our future leaders plus receive beneficial promotional opportunities. Join us for this fun annual event!
| | Kent Lage Leadership Award Recipients Announced | | |
The Foundation was proud to announce the two recipients of the 2026 Kent Lage Leadership Award at its Annual Meeting on May 13. Kaelyn McLoughlin of Braintree received the first-place honor and a scholarship of $1,500.
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Taylor Mayer of Rehoboth was awarded the second-place honor and a $750 scholarship. We are proud of these 4-H’ers and what they’ve been able to achieve throughout their 4-H careers, and can’t wait to see what they do next!
| | BOOST Grant Program Awards $35,000 to
4-H groups |
| |  | The Foundation is thrilled to announce the recipients of BOOST (Building Opportunity and Organizational Strength Together) grants for 2026. 18 4-H Clubs, Advisories, and Fairs received capacity-building grants totaling $35,000. These BOOST grants will help 4-H organizations purchase learning materials, support fairs with judges and premiums, and fund animal care, community service, and STEM projects like robotics and fabrication. 2026 BOOST Grantees include 4-H ALARM Robotics, Ashland Innovation 4-H Club, Cave Canem 4-H Dog Club, City Slickers 4-H Club, Freedom Dance 4-H Club, Hampshire County 4-H Fair, Hooves & Hides 4-H Livestock Club, Langwater Farm Barnyard Buddies 4-H Club, Massachusetts 4-H Beef Advisory Board, Massachusetts 4-H Dog Program, Massachusetts State 4-H Dairy Council, Massachusetts 4-H Poultry Advisory Council, Norfolk County 4-H Horse Leaders Association, RC Carrot Crusaders 4-H Club, Salty Pups 4-H Dog Club, Western Mass 4-H Ox Teamsters, and Worcester County
4-H Fair. Thank you to everyone who applied.
| | Welcome Jenny Zonghetti to the Foundation | |
The Foundation is excited to welcome Jenny Zonghetti as its new Administrative Assistant. Jenny Zonghetti is a proud alum of the Massachusetts 4-H Program and is a currently a volunteer who enjoys giving back to the program that meant so much to her growing up. In 4-H, Jenny was actively involved in both the horse and goat programs, where she learned valuable life skills, animal care, and developed leadership skills. Today, she continues volunteering with her three miniature horses, which she has shown at both national and world-level competitions. She is excited to continue to support Massachusetts 4-H in this important role with the Foundation. Welcome aboard, Jenny!
| | Follow us on Social Media | | The Foundation's social media is the best source for current Foundation news and 4-H stories. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube (all links below) to learn about 4-H and alumni accomplishments, Massachusetts agriculture and STEM news, 4-H grant opportunities, and more! | | | | |
