Youth Advisory Committee
The Youth Advisory Committee is made up of outstanding 4-H youth members who want to continue to play a role in, and contribute to, the growth of the 4-H movement in Canada.
Made up of 10 4-H’ers from across the country, the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) members represent 4-H Canada at events and conferences and help drive the policy development and decision making of 4-H Canada. The Youth Advisory Committee meets regularly to make recommendations to 4-H Canada on programming, marketing, and communications, as well as policy development.
Each Youth Advisory Committee member actively participates in selected working groups to assist 4-H Canada staff with:
- Planning and facilitation of national conferences,
- Advising on the development of youth-friendly program resources,
- Digital communications,
- and more!
Youth Advisory Committee members may also take an active role in several 4-H Canada working groups, including:
- Two representatives on the Board of Directors (non-voting)
- Research and Data Committee
- Program Innovation Committee
- Brand Committee
- Standards and Youth Safety Working Group
- Marketing, Communications, and Fundraising Working Group
Meet the Youth Advisory Committee
Katie MacNeil
YAC CHAIR, NOVA SCOTIA REPRESENTATIVE
Being a 4-H'er for 10 years with the St. Joseph’s 4-H club in Nova Scotia, Katie is a first-year representative of the Health Society at St. FX, where she is also a Research Assistant researching small farm issues. Katie is a former Regional 4-H Ambassador for 4-H Nova Scotia and is currently the President of her 4-H club. In her spare time, Katie enjoys both playing and coaching volleyball and basketball, and frequently volunteers with Special Olympics and L'Arche Antigonish.
Olivia Taylor
YAC VICE-CHAIR, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR REPRESENTATIVE
Olivia has been a member of the 4-H Goulds Challenging Pioneers for 10 years. Studying journalism at the College of the North Atlantic, Olivia hopes to pursue a career as a broadcast journalist. Olivia has participated in a variety of 4-H programs at the provincial and national levels, including the local AG expo, 4-H Canada Science Fair, Careers on the Grow internships, and club exchanges. In her spare time, Olivia enjoys many hobbies, ranging from gardening and knitting to hiking, welding, and more. She also enjoys spending time working at a local flower shop.
Sarah Maloney
YAC SECRETARY, BRITISH COLUMBIA REPRESENTATIVE
Sarah has been an active member of 4-H British Columbia for 13 years. She is from Vancouver Island where she raised sheep and was a provincial ambassador for the Island region for two years. Currently, Sarah is graduating from the University of the Fraser Valley with a Diploma in Agriculture Technology focusing on Livestock Production. Sarah is passionate about agriculture and animals, so while not working on 4-H tasks you can find her working and playing with animals and road tripping.
Austin Olson
YAC REPRESENTATIVE, SASKATCHEWAN
Austin has been a member of the Tisdale 4-H Beef Club for 12 years. Pursuing his goal to become a Journeymen Agriculture Equipment Technician, he currently works as a John Deere Service Technician with Brandt Agriculture. Outside of 4-H he enjoys curling, camping, and summer road trips. While no longer a player, his passion for volleyball continues as he referees on the weekends. Austin also works on a mixed cattle and grain operation, running equipment in the spring and cattle in fall.
Mary Brander
YAC REPRESENTATIVE, ONTARIO
An active 4-H member for nine years, Mary has finished 70 clubs to date, including (but not limited to): dairy, veterinary, go for the gold, woodworking, poultry, cooking and baking, sewing, outdoors, maple syrup, sheep, painting, quilting, scrapbooking, and field crops. Currently studying Agricultural Science at the University of Guelph, Mary is working towards becoming a large animal veterinarian with a focus on dairy operations. Outside of school, Mary is an active volunteer with her local fairs and was the 2023-2024 Fergus Fall Fair Ambassador. Outside of her many commitments, she enjoys working on her dairy farm, playing hockey and rugby, reading, and listening to music!
Kayleigh Brewer
YAC REPRESENTATIVE, NEW BRUNSWICK
As a member of the Keswick Ridge 4-H Club of 11 years, Kayleigh is passionate about showing youth that you don’t need to come from an agricultural background to be involved in agriculture! Currently taking a BSc Agriculture with a major in Animal Science and a certificate in Animal Welfare at Dalhousie University, Kayleigh plans on working within the dairy industry following graduation. Outside of school she’s an active member and Co-President of the Dal AC Judging Team, and enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Ashlyn Whetter
YAC REPRESENTATIVE, MANITOBA
Ashlyn grew up in southwestern Manitoba and has been a proud 4-H’er for 12 years, first with the Alexander 4-H Club, and now with the University of Manitoba Future Leaders 4-H Club. She has completed numerous projects and spent two years as a Youth Director on the Manitoba 4-H Council. She is currently pursuing an Agronomy degree in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the University of Manitoba where she is a member of her faculty’s students’ organization. In her spare time Ashlyn enjoys playing hockey and volleyball, downhill skiing and travelling.
Davis Gottenbos
YAC REPRESENTATIVE, ALBERTA
Davis has been a member of the West Carstairs 4-H Beef Club for 9 years. Growing up around Alberta's vast agriculture industry, he completed every beef project throughout his 4-H career. Davis is studying finance at the University of Calgary and after his undergraduate degree he has aspirations to pursue a degree in law. Throughout his time in 4-H he has participated in numerous provincial and national events including the 50th Annual Citizenship Congress in Ottawa. Before being a part of the Youth Advisory Committee, Davis was a youth leader, and still spends time volunteering at 4-H Alberta's great summer programs
Mackenzie Peddie
YAC REPRESENTATIVE, QUEBEC
Photo and biography coming soon
Getting Involved with the Youth Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee members are selected by their provincial 4-H organization. Terms last two years, with the possibility of renewal for an additional one or two-year term. For more information on how to get involved with the Youth Advisory Committee, please contact your provincial 4-H office.