Retired Associate Professor of Agriculture,
Western Michigan University

 

“The experience I gained from participating in 4-H has had a profoundly positive influence on my life. The skills I acquired through 4-H helped me to be an active member in a number of community and professional organizations. My 4-H background has been extremely helpful.”

A 10-year member of the Okemos 4-H Club, Max Benne’s 4-H achievements included winning the State Poultry Judging Award, delegate to the National 4-H Congress in Chicago and travels to Denmark as an International Four-H Youth Exchange (IFYE) participant. Benne received degrees in dairy production, dairy farm management and a doctorate of education degree from Michigan State University. Before his distinguished 29-year teaching career at Western Michigan University, he worked as a 4-H agent, a volunteer coordinator for the Experiment in International Living Program, covering all participating school systems east of the Mississippi River, and an instructor at Lakeland School Corporation and Glen Oaks Community College. Research and professional presentations have taken Benne to Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Norway, Japan and the People’s Republic of China.

A part owner and operator of the 800-acre Benne Farms, Inc. outside of Sturgis, Benne has served as vice president of St. Joseph County Farm Bureau. He is a former member of the American Society of Agronomy, the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, the Michigan Soil and Water Conservation Society, the Kalamazoo Production Credit Association Board and was a six-year FFA member during his youth. A past recipient of the Outstanding Commercial Sheep Producers for the State of Michigan Award, Benne serves as the current president of the Michigan Sheep Breeders Association.