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

Mira Dewar

YAC REPRESENTATIVE, NOVA SCOTIA

Mira Dewar lives in Scotsburn, Nova Scotia and is a member of the Scotsburn 4-H Club. She has recently completed her first year of Carpentry at NSCC. She has been involved in 4-H for eight years, during which she has shown goats, horses, beef, and dairy cattle, as well as completed a number of life skills projects. Through her involvement in 4-H, Mira has developed many skills, including leadership. She joined the NS YAC because she wanted to gain more from her 4-H experience and gain a new perspective. Her motto is, “You get out of it what you put into it.” 4-H has had a significant impact on her life, and she hopes to help provide new members with a similar experience to the one she had.

Amy Bishop

YAC REPRESENTATIVE, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

As a 15-year member of the Zodiac 4-H Club, Amy has held every club executive position and is an experienced 4H traveler, attending numerous events like Citizenship, Members Forum, and Provincial Competitions frequently. As the 2023 4H L.E.A.D. Scholar for the Environment and Healthy Living, she is a dedicated health advocate currently striving for a career in dentistry to support rural communities. Outside of 4H, Amy is a student at MUN where she studies Human Bioscience. She also works in a research lab, pharmacy, and her university's apiary. In her free time, Amy enjoys volunteering with pediatric patients, sewing, and working out.

Victoria Pitsiaeli

YAC REPRESENTATIVE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Coming from an urban background, Victoria credits her 13 incredible years in 4-H for providing her with a vital link to the world of agriculture. Starting as a Cloverbud, she completed dairy, goat and non-livestock projects, participated in Provincial Communication Finals and various provincial programs and has contributed as a BC Ambassador, Provincial Council Representative, 4-H Coordinator for her local fair and Ministry of Agriculture Co-op student. Victoria is currently studying Global Resource Systems and Business Management at UBC, focusing on agriculture and food economics. In her spare time, Victoria competes as an Irish Dancer and enjoys drinking tea, traveling and exploring BC's beautiful outdoors.

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.

Beck Sommerville

YAC REPRESENTATIVE, ONTARIO

Anthony Boyd

YAC REPRESENTATIVE, NEW BRUNSWICK

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

Mackenzie is a former member of Howick 4-H and current member of the Chateauguay Valley 4-H Club. She has participated in square dancing, handicraft, barn quilt, gardening, small livestock and dairy cattle, all while attending national activities, such as Members Forum and Citizenship Congress! Mackenzie has been vice-president, secretary, treasurer, member-at-large, and is currently president and club reporter. When not busy with 4-H, she is busy with one of her several jobs. Mackenzie likes cats, blasting music in her car “The MackMoblie”, pasta, reading books, collecting pins at pin swaps, and hanging out with her family and friends.

Brayden Carruthers

YAC REPRESENTATIVE, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Brayden has been a member of the Kensington 4-H club for 10 years. He has participated in various 4-H projects including carpentry, blacksmith, tractor rebuilding, and dairy. Currently attending the Dalhousie Agriculture Campus, Brayden plans to return to his family dairy farm in Hamilton, Prince Edward Island. Brayden enjoys dirt biking, golfing, and fishing. Before joining the Youth Advisory Committee, Brayden held executive roles at the club level such as treasurer, vice president and president. He has also attended the national Members Forum and the International Rural Exchange to Ireland.

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.

CONTACT YOUR PROVINCIAL 4-H OFFICE