Former Watervliet teacher, Karen Kietzer named outstanding Berrien Cty 4-H alumna

Berrien County 4-H alumna Karen Kolberg Kietzer, of Stevensville, was among twelve 4-H alumni inducted into the 2022 class of the Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society at a ceremony on Sept. 30, 2023. Kietzer was recognized during the Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration hosted by Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan 4-H Foundation in East Lansing.

The Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society honors former Michigan 4-H members whose professional leadership and community service reflect the ultimate outcome of 4-H membership – extraordinary use of an individual’s head, heart, hands and health to make communities, the country and the world better places in which to live. This recognition is provided by Michigan 4-H Youth Development with support from the Michigan 4-H Foundation.

Kietzer has spent a lifetime working with young people. After obtaining an associate’s degree from Lake Michigan College, Kietzer earned bachelor and master’s degrees from Western Michigan University. She then began a career in high school education, serving in various roles in the Galien, Watervliet, and Lakeshore public schools. At Watervliet, Kietzer was head of the high school English department and a class advisor. She was president of the Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties Counselors Association, president of the Watervliet Education Association, and chair of the Innovation Grants for Lakeshore Public Schools. Kietzer managed her educational career all while helping to operate Kietzer Farms Inc., a greenhouse operation with vineyards, vegetables, and tobacco that she co-owns with her husband, Rock.

In addition to her years in the classroom, Kietzer devoted many years to educating young people through the Michigan 4-H program. A former Berrien County 4-Her, Kietzer has volunteered with 4-H for more than five decades. Her roles have included volunteer leader of the Tyron 4-H Saddle Club and more than 10 years as president of the Berrien Community 4-H Foundation. She received a Berrien County Outstanding 4-H Leader Award and in 2021, she was honored by MSU Extension for her 50 years of service.

“I grew up on a family farm and the work ethic was reinforced by 4-H participation,” said Kietzer. “4-H developed my civic involvement and service from my teen years to present.”

Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society members are inducted every two years. The inaugural class of 62 members was inducted in 2002 to coincide with the national 4-H centennial. Visit www.mi4hfdtn.org/ecs for more information on the 4-H Emerald Clover Society and its members.