Hannah Peterson is a 4-H British Columbia Ambassador, where her role is to promote awareness of 4-H in her region and province, be a resource for 4-H members, and take on leadership duties in her 4-H club activities. Hannah has submitted a recap of her year in 4-H to the 4-H Canada blog.

This year began like any other, with a meeting in January, a few team-building exercises and voting on each of the positions that opened up this year. Thankfully before any big change was made, I was able to go on a 4-H trip, (PCW), with 40+ other BC members. We had team-building exercises, a campfire, small groups, and a movie night. The day we came back we realized that our isolated paradise in the mountains was different from “real life”. After that, our 4-H year and lives changed quite substantially with the pandemic. Of course, it takes more than a virus to stop 4-H’ers from working with their projects. Ambassadors such as myself were tasked with making online projects for kids to continue in this unique year. We hosted drawing lessons, gardening videos and participated in photo contests. Due to the nature of the year, I was unable to work with younger members in person, but we made do! We helped members online with record book Zoom meetings teaching them how to find the information they might need and assisting them with filling it in.

Seeing as school was cancelled in person, it enabled my sisters and me to train whenever during the day worked best for us and the farmer we borrowed our animals from. We were able to help a younger member, the farmer’s daughter, with training as well since our calves, were at the same place. Of course, we were always supervised by one of my parents and the owner, Brad was never too far away to be found. Our 4-H leader also did her best to supervise and assist us with training when possible. Working with our animals this year gave us more ability to focus on our own projects but also posed the difficulty of us being unable to introduce our heifers to new environments, people, and surroundings. We also brought others from our little bubble to the farm teaching them to train, clip how to trailer calves or wash. This gave us the opportunity to educate our friends on agriculture and it gave them a chance to see an entirely new side of where their food comes from. I even managed to convince a friend who was a beef member to come train twice with me for the experience.

As our summer progressed it reached our usual show season and this, of course, was going to be different from any other year. Thankfully, we were able to attend Agrifair in Abbotsford along with one other dairy club and a multi-club where we were all separated into different thirds of the barn. Even if the experience was different than a typical year, we still had lots of fun – and hey, the show must go on! Closely following health guidelines, we separated our club into teams so that we were all only interacting with a few other members. Our leaders and parents were always available to each of the groups if they needed anything and there was never an adult too far away to assist a member in need.  Each team had the supplies they needed to wash, prep, and decorate. The teams also taught us how to work better and gave each person the chance to take on bigger roles. The Agrifair show was a success and soon after we had our achievement day, where we got together on a farmyard lawn and then a float down the river around the property.

When I started college in the fall there was no way this meant I would end my 4-H lifestyle. I quickly joined the judging, stockman (beef), and dairy clubs on my campus. Not only have I been participating in those clubs, but I also was able to attend a cattle show in Lloydminster to observe how beef is shown and practice my judging. I have had some practice since being here as I have stayed on a friend’s ranch to learn about beef showing, washing, and clipping and I have participated in all three of those. I plan on bringing the skills I learned back to my club when I am there to train in the spring. I have stayed in contact with members and assisted a few with record book difficulties from here. I have also been participating in ambassadorial activities such as performing interviews, writing thank you letters and attending virtual meetings.

In conclusion, I would have to say that even though this year threw something hectic at us it continued to be amazing. Being able to attend shows and my trip, teaching kids online how to complete their record books, educating others on how things work on the farm, each of these experiences truly made this year one for the books. With that I say we flip the page and start planning our next 4-H year, 2021.

This week, a delegation of three 4-H members from the U.S., Canada and Sweden is attending the 46th session of the Committee on World Food Security in Rome, Italy. This unique opportunity is giving them a chance to lead on a global stage, and to address issues of concern to all youth, such as Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero hunger. 4-H Canada strives to provide opportunities at the international level for 4-H members to expand their global perspective and cultural understanding, and learn about 4-H programming in other countries. The following articles are extracted from The 2019 4-H Advantage magazine. 

We live in a global village. Every time you and your 4-H friends recite the 4-H Pledge at the start of your meeting, another 4-H’er elsewhere in the world is saying it at the same time. Their language may not be the same, and their club may look a bit different from yours, but your voices recite a similar Pledge as you live together in the same world.

On July 11, 2019, the Canadian 4-H Pledge was updated so that fellow 4-H members across the country can pledge the same promise as their counterparts around the world every day. From now on, it will read “for my club, my community, my country, and my world”.

Learn more at 4-h-canada.ca/pledge

From Ghana to the World

By Logan Emiry, Youth Advisory Representative for Ontario

“[…] my country, and my world”.

I was standing halfway across the world on a 4-H service-learning project in Ghana and I paused for a moment, slightly confused. I had never heard this version of the Pledge before – which was from the National 4-H Council in the U.S. – but it was rather fitting. Little did I know that in a few short years it would also be 4-H Canada’s Pledge, after encouragement from staff, volunteer leaders, and members like myself, who believe in the global importance of 4-H.

There is no doubt that 4-H is a global movement, and the reach of 4-H Canada spans the world. 4-H has brought me around the world “Learning To Do By Doing” every step along the way, from Japan for a 4-H Canada-LABO Japan exchange, to Indianapolis for the Future Farmers of America’s National Convention. It also allowed me to become friends with 4-H’ers from many of the more than 70 countries at the Global 4-H Network Summit hosted in Ottawa two years ago.

I am very proud we are now including “and my world” in the 4-H Pledge. There is no doubt that the next generation of 4-H members in Canada will create a positive change in the world around them.

A World of Difference

By Carlie Whetter, 4-H Leader, 4-H Manitoba

It’s only three words...but it makes a “world” of difference. As a delegate at the Global 4-H Network Summit in July 2017, I heard our young Canadian representatives question why our 4-H Pledge ended with ‘country,’ when we were a gathering of representatives from around the globe. 

As President of Manitoba 4-H Council, I supported the motion made by our Board Director Denise Dewar to put forward a resolution to officially adopt the international wording. As a 4-H Canada Board member, I participated in the 2018 4-H Canada Annual General Meeting where it was agreed that the next step would be to work on a way to share this exciting news with all 4-H members across Canada.

The youth members of the 4-H club I lead in Alexander, Manitoba, voted unanimously to be early adopters of the updated wording. They have been using this new Pledge for almost a year and feel a strong sense of belonging to a global 4-H community.

I believe our youth are more aware of the global community than ever before with their ease of connectivity and access to world news. Adding “...and my world” reflects the reality of the world we live in. For our youth, it’s a no-brainer!

A Youth Council for the World

By Valerie Stone, Chair of the 4-H Canada Board of Directors

In June 2019, the 41st Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Conference of the United Nations (UN) was held in Rome, Italy. Representing 4-H, I was one of five youth from around the globe participating in the “Real Action on Youth: Driving the Future of Agriculture” event hosted by Ambassador Hans Hoogeveen of the Netherlands. It was a truly remarkable experience, and having the opportunity to highlight the importance of youth on the global agricultural stage was genuinely unforgettable.

During this event, the idea of a Youth Council for the three Rome-based agencies (RBAs) – the FAO, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) – was brought forward. The idea was to form an inclusive, youth-led advisory team that champions practical innovations and policies focused on the unique needs and strengths of young people in agriculture globally.

Following a debate among the countries, an informal Youth Council decision was passed at the FAO. The path forward to a formal Youth Council for the three RBAs is being paved, and I look forward to seeing how 4-H members will be involved at the global level.

If the creation of a Youth Council is approved, 4-H members from around the world will have the opportunity to apply for one of the two 4-H seats on this council! 4-H Canada encourages and empowers 4-H youth to be engaged in high-level conversations around agriculture, food security and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Did you know? The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 for the year 2030. Otherwise known as the Global Goals, they are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

En cette période des Fêtes, nous vous invitons à célébrer vos racines 4-H, à exercer une influence positive sur votre communauté et à montrer au monde ce que les 4-H signifient pour vous!                        

Vous avez besoin d’aide pour commencer? Voici quelques façons dont vous pouvez exercer une influence positive sur votre communauté en cette période des Fêtes :  

Faites du bénévolat 
Le bénévolat est une excellente façon d’aider les autres, de célébrer votre communauté et de rencontrer de nouvelles personnes. Si vous ne l’avez pas déjà fait, communiquez avec votre club local des 4-H ou votre Conseil provincial des 4-H ou alors peignez la ville en vert en infusant votre esprit des 4-H dans une œuvre de bienfaisance locale pour laquelle vous pouvez faire également du bénévolat.    

Devenez un mentor  
Vous n’avez pas besoin d’un grand titre ou d’un bureau de direction sophistiqué pour être un mentor auprès des jeunes dans votre région. L’encadrement des autres peut vous permettre de développer vos propres compétences en leadership, de fournir des connaissances utiles et d’aider à donner aux jeunes la possibilité de tirer profit d’expériences significatives et positives qui ont pour but de former des leaders responsables, confiants et engagés. Si vous êtes un ancien membre 4-H, revenez à vos racines et faites du mentorat par l’entremise de votre club local ou participez par l’entremise du Club 1913.

Partagez une compétence    
Maîtrisez-vous la photographie, êtes un connaisseur en planification financière ou alors savez tricoter tout un bonnet? Donnez en retour en partageant une compétence. De nombreux clubs 4-H, centres communautaires et résidences pour aînés sont toujours à l’affût de professionnels talentueux à l’échelle locale pour partager leurs connaissances et transmettre leurs compétences.  

Rendez hommage aux bénévoles  
Il y a de nombreuses façons de répandre sa reconnaissance et il n’est plus un secret que les bénévoles constituent le moteur des 4-H au Canada. Lorsque vous proposez la candidature de votre animateur bénévole pour le Prix annuel de l’animateur bénévole national, vous leur offrez la chance de remporter un voyage au Sommet du réseau mondial des 4-H où plus de 600 membres 4-H provenant de partout dans le monde leur rendront hommage pour leurs contributions exemplaires au mouvement 4-H au Canada. 

Faites fructifier votre contribution 
Ratissez les feuilles ou pelletez la neige pour votre voisin en faisant le travail en double. Préparez à souper pour une personne qui est malade. Aidez un voisin âgé à faire de petites réparations autour de sa propriété. Quel que soit le geste, consacrez vos habiletés, votre temps et vos efforts afin d’aider à améliorer la journée d’une autre personne.      

Don
Faites un don au fonds de dotation de la Fondation des 4-H du Canada pour faire en sorte que l’héritage des 4-H du Canada soit transmis aux générations futures, leur permettant ainsi d’utiliser leur tête, leur cœur, leurs mains et leur santé pour faire bouger les choses dans leurs communautés, dans leur pays et ailleurs dans le monde.

By Shannon Benner, CEO, 4-H Canada

The 4-H story in Canada began over a century ago, and the organization has grown into one of the country’s most respected youth movements - bridging generations and building deep community roots in the agricultural sector. From Canada’s east coast to its west coast, we are uniquely positioned in the agricultural community, through our well established programs and grassroots networks. We are fortunate to have many partners that support our work.

The secret of why this grassroots movement has been so successful in engaging youth is that it didn’t start as an organization or policy, it started as a fundamental belief that young people needed support to succeed both on, and off the farm. It was a belief that recognized the equal importance of building character, responsibility, confidence and empathy in addition to skill mastery.

The result of this philosophy, which can be traced to Ohio in the United States, is now a global 4-H movement of nearly 7 million young people in more than 60 countries. These are caring, responsible and contributing young people who effect change in the world around them.

We believe that 4-H youth from around the world are uniquely positioned to play an important leadership role in alleviating world hunger because of the work they already do in sustainable agriculture and food security. That is why, in the fall of 2014, over 70 4-H nations congregated in Seoul, Korea to participate in the first Global 4-H Network Summit.

The summit focused on evolving 4-H’s world class positive youth development approach, looking at drivers of growth in agriculture, addressing global issues through the youth lens and showcasing 4-H programming from around the world. One of the major outcomes of the summit included the formation of the Global 4-H Board, which I have the privilege of chairing.  The Summit also saw as an outcome a commitment by leaders to see global 4-H membership grow to 25 million by 2025.

Recently, this diverse group of 4-H board members came together at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto for an in-person Global 4-H Board meeting. They used this opportunity to discuss ways to equip and empower young people to meet urgent local, national, and global issues, including sustainable agriculture and food security.

The global 4-H community also formally asked 4-H Canada to be the host of the next Global Summit in July of 2017. 4-H Canada’s Board of Directors had passed a motion the day before to approve this request. 4-H Leaders and members from around the world will join us in Ottawa for a celebration of Positive Youth Development.

Convening the international 4-H community at events like the global board meeting and the highly anticipated 4-H Global Summit is invaluable to strengthening the 4-H movement and empowering youth. 

Our current and future youth members, who belong to generation Z, have the potential to create innovative and world-changing solutions to the biggest challenges we face in as a planet. We need to tap into this potential, particularly as we have the advantage of being a global youth organization. The skills that our youth are developing today are essential to solving the world’s problems. 4-H can and must support youth in this journey.

4-H Around the World

• 4-H is one of the largest youth organizations in the world.
• Independent 4-H programs can be found in all corners of the globe—from North and South America to Africa to Asia.
• There are over 70 independent, country-led 4-H programs around the world.
• Worldwide, there are nearly 7 million 4-H’ers. 

Paul Larmer, Chief Executive Officer at Semex Alliance and President and Chairman of the Board for the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. For more photos from the 4-H Global Board meeting visit our flickr page.