“Young Manitobans will be hard at work this weekend, resulting in a cleaner landscape we can all enjoy,” said Eichler.  “We are proud to continue this important partnership with 4-H clubs across the province for another year and thank them for their commitment to our province.”

The provincewide campaign will take place Saturday, May 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting.  Safety is of utmost importance so all participants will be wearing a safety vest and areas being cleaned will be marked with safety signs.  Adult volunteers are involved to provide supervision.  Manitobans are asked to be alert and use caution when passing 4-H highway clean up crews.

“Community leadership is a cornerstone of 4-H,” said Schuler.  “All motorists, cyclists and ATV drivers are encouraged to use extra caution this weekend and be on the lookout for 4-H crews while they’re working.”

The Manitoba government pays 4-H clubs for every kilometre of roadway cleaned.  Last year, more than 400 volunteers cleaned 264 kilometres of roadsides and ditches, collecting 863 bags of trash.  Recyclable bottles and cans were also delivered to appropriate locations.  Participating clubs earned $6,745 to support their programs.

“Our 4-H members and leaders are proud of their community service efforts around Manitoba, including the annual highway cleanup campaign,” said Clayton Robins, executive director, Manitoba 4-H Council.  “The clubs involved appreciate the Agriculture and Infrastructure departments’ ongoing support of this campaign.”

In case of rain, the alternate date for the cleanup campaign is June 2.

For more information on Manitoba’s agricultural programs and services, follow the Twitter account at www.twitter.com/MBGovAg.  For the most recent information on road conditions or highway safety, visit www.manitoba511.ca, call 511 or follow the Twitter account at www.twitter.com/MBGovRoads.

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It’ll be assuming responsi­bility for club, member and leader support, 4-H Area Coun­cil program support, member and leader records and volunteer screening, taking over from Manitoba Agriculture, something the organization describes as an exciting evolution.

“It’s terrific that Manitoba 4-H Council will be responsible for a bigger role in the delivery of the program,” said Carlie Whetter, president of Manitoba 4-H Council.

Manitoba Agriculture’s position will continue to support the 4-H program in project and resource research and development, technical project expertise and training as well as financial support to Manitoba 4-H Council.

“This is an important step forward for 4-H in Manitoba, and one that reflects our shared commitment to building leadership and capacity among rural organizations,” said Ralph Eichler, Manitoba’s minister of agriculture. “It will be exciting to watch the organization flourish in the future with these new roles and responsibilities.”

Along with the transition, the Manitoba 4-H program is expanding to offer new projects, programs and opportunities for members and leaders. A recent focus on “innovative programming” including science and technology, the environment and healthy living, provincial membership increased by more than five per cent last year.

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At the end of this summer they will pack everything up, whether they have a new site to move to or not, say Roland residents tasked with finding it.

It’s a drastic move, but necessary to protect the collection from future deterioration due to problems with dampness in the building.

The 4-H collection is extensive, with everything from trophies to hand-sewn dresses and shirts to ‘A 4-H Member Lives Here’ signage — and they can’t let the building compromise it, says Colleen Hodgson, a member of the Historical Society of the RM of Roland.

They now continuously run dehumidifiers to keep down the humidity that rises from the basement of the 1902 brick building.

“It’s an old, old cement basement, and the moisture down there is a problem,” she said. “We haven’t had trouble with humidity on the main floor (where the 4-H artifacts are housed), but that’s what we’re trying to avoid.”

Upkeep for the old building has also become prohibitively expensive. Heating bills have mounted to around $3,000 a winter, and all their fundraising efforts now only go to maintenance, said Hodgson. “The hydro takes all our fundraising,” she said.

The museum, initiated by members of the local historical society, opened in 1988 during the 75th anniversary of the 4-H program, which started in Roland in 1913.

The dream now is to find a new location with at least double the space and open to the public every day. They aren’t considering building because a free-standing building isn’t feasible, Hodgson said. Nor is trying to renovate the existing building. It’s a municipal heritage site. They’d love to make upgrades and renovate it but the costs are prohibitive.

“What we’re doing now is talking with the (RM of Roland) municipality to find some way to add on to an existing building in the community where we would be open five days a week year round,” she said. “That would make us become more like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Morden.”

(That museum is housed inside the Morden Access Event Centre, the city’s recreational centre.)

Everyone is adamant the museum stay in Roland. The south-central village is, after all, where 4-H began as the first official ‘Boys and Girls Club.’ “The community is so proud of that fact,” she said. “It’s extremely important to us that we keep it in our community.”

Where the cash for the move will come from is now the question, however. The only funding the museum has comes from community fundraisers, plus a grant from the Manitoba Provincial Council.

The historical society has recently put the word out that it’s applying for a grant through Cargill’s Together WeThrive program, and is urging the wider 4-H community to vote online to garner support.

The Canadian 4-H Council declared the Roland museum a national museum in 2013, when 4-H dignitaries visited that year’s 100th anniversary celebrations. Donors also contributed $22,000 to help support the museum two years ago. The historical society promptly deposited it all into a special account to cover the costs of a move, Hodgson noted.

“We didn’t want to spend it on the heating bill,” she added.

The Manitoba 4-H Council currently supports the museum annually with a percentage of membership fees being allocated to the museum to assist with its operating costs, said Clayton Robins, the provincial council’s executive director.

“This museum represents the history of the 4-H program and its links to the program’s origin in Roland, so it is important to Manitoba 4-H Council to see it continue and thrive,” he said.

The council is committed to working with the museum board on a short- and long-term financial and promotional strategy, which includes fundraising for the new building, he said. Time will tell what the wider national 4-H community might also be able to do.

“That remains to be seen but will be better defined once the strategies for funding and promotion are developed,” he said.

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This was the first time Canadian youth had participated in the event.

This opportunity was presented to me by my teacher, Ms. Tait, through Agriculture in the Classroom. I filled out an application and wrote a 300-word essay on why I was qualified to attend the conference, which included my agricultural background and volunteer activities.

I was then interviewed and chosen to go. My next task was to write a 2,500-word research paper from topics suggested by the Global Youth Institute Organization. My topic was East Coast Fever affecting cattle in Tanzania, Africa. ECF is a tick-borne disease ravaging Tanzania and surrounding countries. It is killing more cattle daily.

East Coast Fever is crippling the Tanzanian government, taking away money from a government that greatly needs it. Added stress is placed on farmers by not allowing them to supply their families with proper nutrition, water and schooling. When it holds back the people, it holds back the country and that is why I believe we need to promote the vaccination of cattle in Tanzania.

The Global Youth Institute mission statement is to create a community of international learners committed to investigating and seeking solutions to problems of global consequences. This organization along with The World Food Prize and The Borlaug Dialogue International Symposium hosted the conference I attended. The following paragraphs will outline what I learned and experienced at the conference.

Education

Agriculture education is crucial for helping Africa feed itself. Soils, depleted in nutrients, produce lower yields each crop cycle. Solutions are also needed in water management — more is wasted than used. One of these involves drip irrigation, where pipes under the ground bring water to the roots of the plant. Food waste is also a concern that results from a lack of infrastructure, for example, roads and refrigeration vehicles. Produce either spoils from lack of cooling or rough roads damage crops.

One example we saw was that of a healthy smallholder farm in Africa that consisted of a home quarter, crop quarter, livestock quarter and a greenhouse/fruit quarter, all primarily run by women.

The president of Sierra Leone, by way of video chat, updated us on the Ebola crisis and the importance of young people in agriculture. Most smallholder farms are run by elderly women, as AIDS has depleted the male population.

A highlight was to witness Dr. Sanjaya Rajaram receive his World Food Prize Award for his development of over 400 varieties of wheat. What an amazing contribution to agriculture worldwide.

We packed meals for African countries and learned that American aid is different from Canada’s. They send food, whereas we give money so that food can be bought from the local farmers, which helps their economy. Another interesting fact, learned during the Oxfam Hungry Banquet, was that the world’s middle class differs from ours, in that Canadians’ income is much higher.

In conclusion I would say that, we as Canadians need to be more proactive in addressing the concerns of the food crisis in developing countries. Events such as these are a fantastic step in opening the dialogue for increased awareness and opportunities for action. As a result of my involvement, I hope to spread the word that ALL need to be involved to feed nine billon people by 2050.

On a personal note I would like to thank the following people: Kim Tait for the nomination, helping with my paper and attending the conference with me, Karen Hill through Agriculture in the Classroom and also attending, Leanne Sprung, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, for all the arrangements, Clayton Robins, Manitoba 4-H Council, for reviewing my essay and my mom for all the editing of my work.

This opportunity was provided by Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Agriculture in the Classroom – MB and Manitoba Canola Growers Association and I hope that Manitoba high school students will continue to participate in this incredible experience.

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Every available inch of the two large birthday cards that were displayed during fair week was filled with signatures of 4-H alumni, current 4-H members and some future 4-H prospects.

“They covered everything,” says Leanne LaBrash, who chaired the cattle show committee. “You can see there are children just learning to spell their name and some people left messages, because we asked them to put their names, the club they belonged to and the dates they were in the club. There are some from the U.S. as well.

The cards were so popular that the Manitoba 4-H Council is now planning to display more at various 4-H and MAFRI events around the province on the run-up to the National 4-H Canada Annual General Meeting at the Fairmont Hotel in Winnipeg on May 30, where a gala banquet is planned for the centennial celebration of 4-H Canada.

There will also be a 4-H Clubhouse, which is open to the public, featuring memorabilia from all of the provincial 4-H councils where people can come and catch up with 4-H friends and alumni.

A celebration evening for 100 years of 4-H in Manitoba is also planned at the 4-H Museum in Roland, the birthplace of 4-H in Canada, on the evening of May 31 which is open to everyone.

The birthday cards will, of course, be on display and are a good way for people who can’t be at these events to feel a part of the special celebration.

“A lot of the people I have encountered are very supportive of 4-H and are trying to figure out how to do their part or feel like a part of it,” says LaBrash. “So I think when they sign the greeting card they feel like they have acknowledged it in some way.”

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This year’s inductees also include Charlie Froebe of Carman, Wilf (Butch) Harder of Lowe Farm, Herbert and Helen Kletke of Teulon, John W. Kuhl of Winkler and Vern McNair of Winnipeg.

This is only the second time since the inception of the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame that a group, such as 4-H leaders, has been recognized.

Nominees are evaluated based on nine criteria including innovative contributions, local, provincial, national and international impact, service to agriculture and home life, and lasting influence.

“I had many 4-H calves in my youth. I will always be grateful to my 4-H club leaders who volunteered their time,” said Bill Anderson, president of the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame in a release.

4-H, a program that couldn’t exist without volunteer leaders, is celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2013.

“These leaders put in countless hours mentoring, planning, teaching and being devoted to their 4-H members,” said Carrie Tapp, president of the Manitoba 4-H Council. “Youth learn by observing adults, and we couldn’t ask for better role models than our 4-H leaders.”

Froebe, who farmed in the Homewood area, is being recognized for his contributions to his community and to the canola industry, especially his work starting and administering a cash advance program for canola growers.

Butch Harder has been active in farm organizations and policy throughout his career as a farmer and seed grower.

Longtime Teulon-area seed growers, Herbert and Helen Kletke engineered and implemented a state-of-the-art process to treat and coat canola seed and adapted the process for forage seed, now distributed and widely used across Canada and abroad.

John W. Kuhl of Winkler has been active in the provincial and national horticultural industry organizations. He is also being recognized for contributions to his local community.

Vernon McNair, a former CBC farm broadcaster who later became head of the province’s agricultural communication services, is considered a pioneer in the use of television as an education tool.

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Mosaic will own one-quarter of the $7-billion project, with the remainder held by two Saudi companies.

Phosphate production has not increased as quickly as nitrogen and potash production in recent years, said Mosaic chief executive Jim Prokopanko.

“The only way we’re going to increase the food supply is with more technology, principally crop nutrients applied to fields around the world,” said Prokopanko.

ACC to pilot post-secondary 4-H club

ACC release / Assiniboine Community College will soon be home to a Future Leaders 4-H Club.

The Manitoba 4-H Council has recently changed its membership rules to allow members from ages seven to 25, which means young adults can continue their involvement while attending post-secondary institutions, or join a 4-H club for the first time.

The Brandon college has received a grant from the RBC 4-H rural-urban youth outreach program to assist with startup costs for the club and is currently recruiting members to mobilize the club prior to the end of the school year. Nicole Blyth, a first-year agribusiness student at the college, has been selected as president of the new club.

“We at 4-H Manitoba are excited to partner with Assiniboine Community College, and other colleges and universities in our province, to provide a non-traditional 4-H experience for our youth,” said Carrie Tapp, president of the Manitoba 4-H Council.

“This program is an excellent way to encourage young adults to join and benefit from the wide range of skill-building opportunities and grow professionally through 4-H,” added Ron Kostyshyn, minister of Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives.

Members of the Future Leaders Club will work towards receiving a Recognition of Achievement to be included on their resumé and 4-H record.

“This is a way to connect members from many different clubs provincially and even outside of our province,” said Derrick Turner, dean of the School of Business, Agriculture & Environment. “We want to provide our club members with professional learning opportunities at the college level.”

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Their task: Stick to a very tight budget, buy healthy food, and get a feel for a student’s lifestyle.

The trip to the grocery store is part of their orientation as participants in City Survival Weekend, an annual event run by 4-H Ambassadors. Each year around this time, these young ambassadors — farm and small-town kids now attending university in the big city — host their younger peers from clubs around the province.

It’s fun and an eye-opener, say participants such as Janelle Gobin of St. Claude.

The 17-year-old attended the event last year — “mostly to have fun and meet people.” But this time around, it’s serious business because graduation and a move to Winnipeg is looming larger now, said the Grade 11 student.

“This year I plan to be nerdy and get the notebook out and write down the numbers,” said Gobin.

City Survival weekend began 1984 and its sponsor, the 4-H Manitoba Council, estimates about 345 kids have taken part in it over the years. It’s a grassroots program, developed and led by the 4-H Ambassadors, an initiative begun in 1979 by former 4-H’ers who wanted to continue their association with the provincial program. There’s been a few years when there weren’t enough interested kids to run the weekend, but most years there’s a dozen to 20 participants and sometimes turnout hits 30.

Moving to the city can be a bit overwhelming, said Kiah Helgason-Stoyanowski, a second-year University of Manitoba student.

“Lots of  people who grow up on farms don’t come to the city very often,” she said. “City Survival gives them a sense of what it’s going to be like when you move there.”

The weekend program covers a lot of ground. By Sunday, they’ll have toured campuses, gone over the basic cost of living (including how to eat well on a small budget), compared the pros and cons of getting an apartment versus living in residence, received tips on dealing with roommates, and talked about personal security needs in a city of strangers.

City Survival is one more way 4-H tries to meet its young members’ needs in life skills and personal development, said Megan Sprung, a rural specialist for 4-H and youth with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) rural leadership specialist (4-H and Youth).

“We would hope that it gives them a feeling of confidence and independence that they might not otherwise have gained,” said Sprung, who herself attended the orientation in 2000.

4-H in the city

Forging links between 4-H’ers who’ve departed for the city also benefits 4-H, which is wrestling with the issue of a declining rural population and is considering planting a 4-H program in the city, too.

“I think everyone realizes we have to grow the program,” said Clayton Robins, executive director of the Manitoba 4-H Council.

“The rural demographic of members who would be eligible to belong is shrinking all the time.”

It will take people with a passion for 4-H to build that urban presence, he said.

Manitoba is piloting a Future Leaders project at the University of Manitoba that is examining how to offer structured leadership skills development and training to university students, said Robins.

“We expect we could be getting students on these campuses joining 4-H for the first time if students see the value of this,” he said.

“Our goal is that people who come out of these campus clubs would be potentially a new generation of 4-H leaders.”

Gobin, who has held every office in the Home Economics 4-H club in her hometown, thinks she’d like to be one of them. She plans on becoming a 4-H Ambassador and wants to stay connected to the club after university.

“I really like teaching, although not in a classroom,” she said. “And I totally want to encourage people to take 4-H.”

4-H Manitoba is gearing with the rest of the country to celebrate the 100th anniversary of 4-H in 2013. This is an occasional feature focusing on the program and its achievements in its Manitoba birthplace.

“Lots of  people who grow up on farms don’t come to the city very often. City Survival gives them a sense of what it’s going to be like when you move there.”

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Rapid City Beef

The club reorganized on Nov. 13 at the Rapid City library. After elections, the new executive is as follows: Stephen Hinsburg, president; Kylie Birmingham, vice-president; Laura Horner, secretary; Sean Horner, treasurer; and Wyatt Inglis, reporter. Our leaders are Alan Horner, Deb Inglis and our council rep, Leslie Hedley.

After Stephen took over as president he welcomed new members Kylie Birmingham and Mona Vandelangemheen. Weigh day was discussed; it will be at the Horners’ on Dec. 8 at 1:30 p.m. Information needed will include CCIA tag numbers, breeds of animals and birth dates. Each family is to bring something for lunch after the calves are weighed; all members are to be on time and watch all animals be weighed.

The Christmas party was also discussed, and will be held after the club’s next meeting on Dec. 11 at the library. Each member is to bring a gift suitable for a boy or girl.

New business: Ann Mandziuk, from the MAFRI office in Minnedosa, came and gave a presentation on the ethics of showing livestock. We played a game in which members were asked questions on ethical or unethical behaviour.

Member forms were handed out, to be handed in on weigh day. Budget sheets were also handed out, to be in by the January meeting.   — Wyatt Inglis

Elm Creek Beef

On Oct. 3 we had our first meeting of the year, discussed plans and got our handouts and record books for the year. On Oct. 26 we had our annual 4-H potluck supper and awards night. Many of our steer buyers and supporters joined us for the evening. Our guest speaker was Laura Kehler, who spoke to us about her experiences in 4-H when she grew up in the U.S. We were also very pleased to watch our head leader Trevor Carlson receive his 15-year seal as a leader in the 4-H club!

The club also helped out at the annual Elm Creek Fall Supper on Nov. 3. The club’s duties were serving coffee and tea and helping clean up garbage. On Nov. 7 we elected Cameron deRuiter as club president, Cody Vandersluis as vice-president, Thomas Borst as treasurer, Brittney deRuiter as secretary, Taylor Carlson and McKenzie Enns as photographers, Harleigh Carlson as banner scanner and Nolan Vandersluis as club reporter. We discussed our upcoming trip to Canadian Western Agribition and that we should ask the moms to make some muffins for the trip there.

— Nolan Vandersluis

Happy Rock Horseshoes

The club had its first meeting of the year on Oct. 6 with four past members (Jodie Davis, Kaitlyn Davey, Karleigh Lewis and Megan Hall) and one new member (Madison Teichroeb) present. Ken Lewis and Heather Davey are the club leaders. Everyone spent some time working with their horses and got help from Heather. We finished by riding through Heather’s obstacle course.

During the business meeting the club elected this year’s officers: Jodie Davis is president, Megan Hall is vice-president, Kaitlyn Davey is secretary, Karleigh Lewis is treasurer, Madison Teichroeb is club reporter and Megan Hall is the banner scanner. At the next meeting we will discuss our goals for the upcoming year and talk about what we would like to do for clinics or workshops this year.

— Madison Teichroeb

St. Claude Home Ec

As part of the national celebrations of 4-H’s 100th anniversary in Canada, an agreement between Food Banks Canada and 4-H Canada to co-promote and co-ordinate collection of non-perishable foods and financial donations for local food banks across Canada, was announced at the Manitoba legislature in May.

According to St. Claude 4-H leader Shelley Gosseye, the local club first became involved with a community food drive four years ago as part of Farm Credit Canada’s “Drive Away Hunger” campaign. That was the beginning of our club establishing an annual food drive in our community for donations to the Salvation Army Food Bank in Portage la Prairie.

This year the community of St. Claude donated approximately 500 pounds of non-perishable food items and $40 cash. Guy Rouire of R-Way Ag in St. Claude accepted our challenge to match the value of the food donation with the equivalent monetary contribution of $1,500.

The St. Claude 4-H Home Ec Club wishes to challenge all Manitoba 4-H clubs to use 4-H Canada’s partnership with Food Banks Canada to start their own annual community canvassing event. Let’s see which community can collect the most food!

Diamond Jubilee Awards

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee commemorative medal, created in honour of the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne, has been bestowed upon Arline Davey of Westbourne, Man. and Brenda Dyck of Woodmore, Man. in recognition of exemplary commitment and contribution to the 4-H program. Their outstanding leadership and devotion to the members and leaders whom they have mentored during their many years of service with 4-H Manitoba is a testament to the program’s pledge and motto.

Arline and Brenda were scheduled to be presented with their awards as part of a special ceremony during the evening banquet of the Manitoba Farm Women’s Conference on Nov. 19. The council would like to extend its warmest congratulations to Arline and Brenda on behalf of everyone, past and present, in the 4-H Manitoba family.

— Manitoba 4-H Council

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“Thankfully the Dufferin Ag Society has a great facility,” said Fun Fest chair Diane Kovar. “We had shade, water and everything we needed to host a great event.”

Fun Fest included horse, beef and dairy shows plus a banquet and several seminars.

“We offered sessions on photography, how to judge livestock, and even had a demonstration from the Office of the Fire Commissioner K-9 Search and Rescue team.

“The geocaching session was very popular, as was the trip to Roland to meet a giant pumpkin grower. Based on the evaluation forms, we feel that the first Fun Fest was a success and we look forward to learning from this year’s event and planning an even better one for next year,” she said.

The Manitoba 4-H Council has signed an agreement with the Dufferin Agricultural Society to hold the event for two more years in conjunction with the Carman Country Fair.

“I want to thank all of the volunteers who worked so hard, and all of the sponsors who helped fund the event,” said Kovar. “We hope to see everyone back again next year.”

Here is a list of the winners of Fun Fest competitions:

Beef Judging Competition: Senior — Helena Borst, Elm Creek Beef Club. Intermediate — Amanda McCullough, Graysville Beef Club. Junior — Taylor Carlson, Elm Creek Beef Club.

Horse Judging Competition: Senior — Helena Borst, Elm Creek Beef Club. Intermediate — Amanda McCullough, Graysville Beef Club. Junior — Jodie Davis, Rapid City Rodeo Club.

Project Books: Senior — Isabelle Lewis, Archie 4-H Light Horse and Pony Club. Intermediate — Bethan Lewis, Archie 4-H Light Horse and Pony Club. Junior — Alex McKay, Archie 4-H Light Horse and Pony Club.

Best Stall Card: Taylor Kinkead, Eriksdale Midnight Riders.

Equine Showmanship: Senior — Meghan Lee, Archie 4-H Light Horse and Pony Club. Intermediate — Kaelyn Dreger, Interlake Trailblazers. Junior — Meghan Sandercock, Morden Achievers.

Dairy Showmanship: Senior — Mark Sweetnam, Southeast Dairy Club. Intermediate — Cody Borst, Central Manitoba Dairy Club. Junior — Braden Hamming, Central Manitoba Dairy Club.

Beef Showmanship: Senior — Helena Borst, Elm Creek Beef Club. Intermediate — Naomi Best, Rivers 4-H Beef Club. Junior — Brady McLeod, Neepawa and Area Beef Club.

Supreme Showmanship: Overall and Senior — Isabelle Lewis, Archie 4-H Light Horse and Pony Club. Intermediate — Chris Jermey, Lakeside Beef Club. Junior — Brady McLeod, Neepawa and Area 4-H Beef Club.

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