Ottawa, Ontario – May 2, 2019 – 4-H Canada welcomed today’s announcement by The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, of the Government of Canada’s investment of up to $3 million for the development and delivery of innovative 4-H programs and initiatives across Canada over the next three years.

Speaking to a group of 70 4-H youth on Parliament Hill as part of the 47^th annual 4-H Canada Citizenship Congress, Minister Bibeau reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and 4-H Canada, which for decades has supported the development of Canada’s youth leaders in predominantly rural and agricultural communities. This new funding under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership AgriCompetitiveness Program will ensure 4-H Canada is able to continue to empower responsible, caring and contributing youth through world-class programs with measurable impact, and capacity building initiatives for its dedicated volunteers.

“4-H Canada welcomes the Government of Canada’s continued investment in impactful positive youth development,” said David Hovell, Chair, 4-H Canada. “This funding commitment will ensure 4-H members are empowered to develop relevant skills and knowledge while exploring career paths in the areas important to their generation: agriculture, food security, science, technology, environmental sustainability, healthy living, communications and community engagement.”

Over the next three years, 4-H Canada will work collaboratively with partners and stakeholders to ensure Canadian youth have opportunities to meaningfully engage in the agriculture and agri-food industry, as well as other related sectors, by providing training and mentorship opportunities to grow their practical knowledge and leadership skills through conferences, exchanges, internships and hands-on learning activities.

This funding will also allow 4-H Canada to support capacity building in 4-H volunteers to ensure safe, inclusive and fun environments for hands-on learning, to enhance its network of diverse mentors across the country, to develop new outreach tools, and to deliver grassroots programming with its provincial partner organizations. Collectively, 4-H Canada will grow its programming to reach new and diverse communities and develop leaders in communities, businesses and the agri-food sector across Canada.

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