With notes by Don Heath
click on photo to view video
4H Canada is one of the 80 countries in the world with a 4H program. Now with over 4 million members, the program, whose mission is "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development” began in 1901 when President Orwell of the Farmer’s Institute of Macoupin County, Missouri, USA offered local boys a bag of corn seed to grow and show at the St. Louis Fair.
In Canada the program followed a similar initiative when the Manitoba Department of Agriculture donated one dozen purebred poultry eggs, purebred potatoes and seed to Manitoba youth for them to raise and grow. Youth in Roland, MB are credited with being the first to pickup the offer. Today there are 16,082 members in 939 clubs with 5700+ volunteer leaders. 89% live on a farm or in a rural community.
Megan Bomberry, a former Kingston Rotary club president is the 4H Canada Sponsorship Director and leads 4-H Canada “to develop transformational partnerships in the social sector with top-tier corporations and foundations.” She began her talk by stating the 4H pledge with the help of a video:
Megan Bomberry, a former Kingston Rotary club president is the 4H Canada Sponsorship Director and leads 4-H Canada “to develop transformational partnerships in the social sector with top-tier corporations and foundations.” She began her talk by stating the 4H pledge with the help of a video:
I pledge My head to clearer thinking, My heart to greater loyalty, My hands to larger service, My health to better living, For my club, my community, my country, and my world. |
Bomberry pointed out that Rotary and 4 H share the value of SERVICE, particularly to youth. 4H strives to develop responsible, caring and contributing leaders who “Learn to do by Doing”, which is their motto. There “Secret Sauce”, however, is positive youth development; recognizing youth as assets and partners in the community. Volunteer leaders provide the experiential learning opportunities.
The current focus of 4H is on the future of agriculture, determining the skills and assets are required for the future. Their challenges include attracting and developing leaders, attracting youth members and financial security.
DEI (Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion) has also become a major area of focus; reaching out to all youth including those in urban communities.
Megan, her husband and two sons live in nearby Westport, ON where they also operate the Cove Inn.
The current focus of 4H is on the future of agriculture, determining the skills and assets are required for the future. Their challenges include attracting and developing leaders, attracting youth members and financial security.
DEI (Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion) has also become a major area of focus; reaching out to all youth including those in urban communities.
Megan, her husband and two sons live in nearby Westport, ON where they also operate the Cove Inn.
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