Editorial: In defence of 4-H

I was a 4-H kid as I was growing up. I didn’t do beef club, although my family’s farm did run beef cattle. All my friends did activity club, so I did the same.  The environment was one of continually expanding exploration and skill acquisition, not surprising for an organization whose motto is “learn to

Photo: 4-H Canada/Facebook

Funding cut shouldn’t affect local 4-H clubs

AAFC has cut its funding to 4-H Canada by 30 per cent, but group says it has other irons in the fire

A recent federal funding cut shouldn’t affect local 4-H clubs, at least for now, says 4-H Canada. The national organization said its most recent round of funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada totals $1.7 million over three years. In the past, it has received about $1 million per year, said interim CEO Hugh Maynard by email.


University of Saskatchewan student and longtime 4-Her Kadence Johnson has discovered the Next Step Club, a 4-H club for post-secondary students wishing to learn adult skills. (Alberta Farmer photos by Jeff Melchior)

At Ag in Motion: 4-H’ers get bigger-picture view of ag industry

Saskatchewan teens have fun at leading ag show

Whether they were there to learn about leadership, careers in agriculture or just hang out with friends, some happy young people from Saskatchewan 4-H came out in force to Ag in Motion on Wednesday. Shelby Longworth, the provincial programs manager for 4-H Saskatchewan, said the group of older teens wanted to attend for a diverse


Sandra Duchak has volunteered with the Gainsborough 4-H club for 42 years.

Portage la Prairie 4-H leader recognized for 42 years’ service

Faces of Ag: Sandra Duchak chipped in to keep her kids’ club afloat. Decades later, she’s still finding joy in helping kids find their voice, confidence

The adage is the average person is more afraid of public speaking than death. Sandra Duchak was no exception when she started volunteering with the Gainsborough 4-H club 42 years ago. Before long all four of her kids were in the club, and all of them had communications projects to do. She had to up


Manitoba students win Leaders of Tomorrow scholarships

The awards come from an endowment fund the province established last year

Four Manitoba students who are current or former 4-H members have received a total of $42,500 in scholarships through the club’s Leaders of Tomorrow plan. “4-H members of today are tomorrow’s future leaders,” said Candace Tolton, president of 4-H Manitoba, in a news release. “We are proud to support our members to enable them to

blaine pedersen

Province pledges $1 million to 4-H scholarships

YOUTH | Interest from endowment to provide post-secondary scholarships, bursaries

youth Interest from endowment to provide post-secondary scholarships and bursaries to past and present club members

A provincial endowment of $1 million will provide post-secondary scholarships to 4-H members, past and present, Ag Minister Blaine Pedersen announced November 4. “4-H is near and dear to my heart, the premier’s heart, and many of my colleagues in the legislature have been through the 4-H program,” Pedersen said on a call with media.

(4-H Canada video screengrab via YouTube)

University students backed by 4-H for leadership

Four students honoured Feb. 10 at Ottawa event

Four Canadian university students inspired in their career paths by their 4-H experiences are getting an extra boost from the organization. The annual Leadership Excellence Awards of Distinction (LEAD), presented Monday during the 4-H Leadership Awards event in Ottawa, aim to recognize 4-H participants who, according to the organization, “demonstrate 4-H values in the way


Taylor (left) and Harleigh (right) with 
their show heifers on their family farm 
near Elm Creek.

4-H family rolls out mobile ag-education display

Faces of Ag: Teenagers Taylor and Harleigh Carlson developed a mobile educational 
livestock display as a school project

When Taylor and Harleigh Carlson were little, they’d sit in the barn and read books to their cows. That was their job. The cattle got used to having kids around, which made them easier to halter-break and train for cattle shows. Taylor and Harleigh were practically born into 4-H and cattle showing. Their dad Trevor

Farm business coach Elaine Froese credits the lessons and skills attained in 4-H for her career choices.

A head to clearer thinking

4-H Canada has chosen Manitoba farm business coach Elaine Froese to receive the first 4-H Canada Distinguished Alumni Award

People often ask Elaine Froese when she first began public speaking. Her reply is always ‘when I was nine.’ That’s when the Boissevain-based farm business coach, today giving lively talks to audiences all across North America, started 4-H — with the Dugald 4-H Club. And like many who recall that first speech given somewhere in