Leaders Learn Series
Leaders create leaders.
The 4-H Canada Leader Learn Series is a national webinar series designed to support volunteer leaders with practical tools, fresh ideas, and resources they can apply in their clubs. Featuring speakers from across the 4-H network, each session focuses on strengthening club leadership, enhancing program delivery, and enriching the volunteer experience.
Leaders Learn Series
Dates: The series runs monthly from September 2026 to March 2027 (with no session in December), taking place on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Leaders Learn Webinar Topics
Making the most of FCC Club Funding!
Date: Septmeber 16, 2026
Have an idea for a way to grow or support your club but not sure where to start? 4-H Canada and Farm Credit Canada (FCC) are proud to support 4-H clubs, districts, and regions across Canada through the FCC 4-H Club Fund. With $100,000 available in grants of up to $500, this funding opportunity helps support initiatives that strengthen our movement and create meaningful experiences for members. Having trouble thinking of ideas that fall under these criteria? Join 4-H Canada's webinar about the ways in which you can apply and utilize FCC Club Funds with your own club!
Speaker: Katie Kissick, Fund Development Officer, 4-H Canada
Katie holds an undergraduate degree in International Development from the University of Guelph and a master's degree in Migration and Diaspora Studies from Carleton University. She has a foundation in non-profit work, having gained experience in roles focused on fundraising, donor engagement, programming, and communication. She has a strong passion for humanitarian and development work internationally, nationally, and locally. Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, travelling to new places, and running!
Urban Clubs with 4-H Alberta's Lori Neilson
Date: October 21, 2026
How do you introduce families to 4-H who have never heard of it? How do you engage those who are interested but hesitant to commit to a full year? This webinar will explore 4-H Alberta’s Intro Club model, a flexible six-week program that introduces youth ages 9–15 to 4-H through projects, skill-building, and club experiences. Lori will share how the model was developed, what has been learned through implementation, and how short-term programming can create new pathways for youth and families to become involved in 4-H.
Speaker: Lori Neilson, Program Manager, 4-H Alberta
Lori Nielsen is a third-generation 4-H leader and alumna with a passion for helping youth explore new skills and build confidence. She is the Program Manager for 4-H Alberta Intro Clubs, a grant-funded pilot launched in 2023 that has engaged over 300 youth through more than 30 Intro Clubs in Calgary, Edmonton, and several smaller communities. Lori has also volunteered as a 4-H leader with Prairie Winds 4-H Club for 11 years, where all four of her children participated.
Running a Virtual Cooking Club and make some pizza with 4-H ON Leader John Drummond
Date: November 18, 2026
Online 4-H Clubs have proven to be a fun and accessible way of teaching some new and interesting skills. Along with the regular things that 4-H teaches, we're now teaching new abilities like online communication and presentation skills, important for the world we live in today. In this webinar, we'll take some time to participate in the online cooking experience, and discuss online projects, activities and skills that we can all gain and benefit from.
Speaker: John Drummond, 4-H Ontario Leader
Now retired, John Drummond worked as Dairy Feed Specialist with Floradale Feed Mill Ltd. in Elmira, Ontario for 38 years. He volunteered with Waterloo 4-H for those 38 years, leading clubs like Dairy, Veterinary, and the Kitchener Market 4-H Club. He now lives in Leeds County where he leads in person Dairy and Cooking Clubs, but also leads an online cooking club that attracts members from across Ontario. John was the President of the Ontario 4-H Council in 2006-07, a Syngenta Arbor Award Winner in 2006, was 4-H Canada's Volunteer of the Year in 2013, and was just recently awarded the King Charles Coronation Medal for his volunteering efforts.
4-H Canada's Youth Advisory Committee
Date: January 20, 2027
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.
Speaker: Youth Advisory Committee Members
Agents of STEM: Mission Ready Leader Training
Date: February 17, 2027
This training session will prepare volunteer leaders to confidently deliver the Agents of STEM kit in their clubs. Leaders will explore the philosophy behind the program, experience sample activities from a participant perspective, and practice facilitating engaging STEM learning experiences. The session will also provide practical strategies for adapting activities to different club settings, ages, and comfort levels. By the end of the workshop, leaders will leave with the tools, confidence, and personal action plan needed to bring Agents of STEM to life with their members.
Speaker: Ashlyn Whetter, YAC Representative, Manitoba and Chelsea Crawford, Manager, Youth Leadership & Engagement, 4-H Canada
Ashlyn grew up on a grain farm in southwestern Manitoba and has been a proud 4-H’er for 14 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 Masters degree in Soil Science at the University of Manitoba. In her spare time Ashlyn enjoys playing hockey and volleyball, downhill skiing and travelling.
Chelsea is a proud third generation 4-H alum from the Branch Lahave 4-H Club in Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. Combined with her seven years of event planning and programming, as well as a diploma in counselling skills human/social services, Chelsea is passionate about inclusive, youth-friendly programming and events. When she’s not working you can find this self-proclaimed americano and music connoisseur hiking to find waterfalls and lighthouses!
DEIA Session
Date: March 17, 2027
Details to be confirmed soon.
Who Should Attend and What To Expect
This series is designed for:
- 4-H volunteer and club leaders
- Provincial staff and volunteers
- Anyone supporting local 4-H club programming
Participants will gain:
- Practical, ready-to-use ideas for club programming
- Leader-to-leader learning and knowledge sharing
- Expert insights from experienced presenters across Canada
- Resources to help strengthen clubs and support youth development
Thank you to our Government partner
Government of Canada