People who have found success in their careers, communities and families are looking back to say thanks to 4-H.
The lessons young people learn in 4-H about leadership, teamwork and the work ethic pay off, according to a three-year study the national organization released last week at its annual meeting in Saskatoon.
In fact, the survey of more than 1,100 Canadian 4-H alumni says household incomes of 4-H alumni averaged $58,250 annually compared with the Canadian average of $46,122.
It also said twice as many 4-H alumni take additional training after high school compared to the average Canadian.
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National 4-H president Bob Boulton said the organization has always known where its strength lies, but with the study, the value of 4-H can be verified.
“You won’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you’ve been,” Boulton said.
The study will help the 4-H council set goals and will be used to secure funding.
It was the first ever wide scale investigation of the impact of 4-H.
“Government wants to be able to see they’re getting a good bang for their buck these days,” Boulton said, adding the organization gets a quarter of its funding from the federal government.
The study said, “Canada’s 4-H alumni regarded their participation in 4-H projects, programs and activities as highly formative experiences during their youth and as promoting their effectiveness as family members.”
Helps in employment
Boulton said 4-H pays off when it comes time for young people to look for a job.
“It’s the best tool you could have, whether you’re going to get a job in Safeway or as a biotech engineer,” Boulton said.
“I talked to a Safeway manager once who said (4-Hers) work a little harder, they are a bit sharper and have better values,” Boulton said.
The study surveyed 4-H alumni from every province, who were in the program from the 1950s to the 1980s, and reviewed existing programs.
It included telephone interviews with 232 community and agri-business leaders, 4-H volunteers, family and youth.
The report suggests 4-H should focus on farm safety, environmental awareness, technology transfer, processing and marketing and agricultural production.
Each year the Canadian 4-H program involves about 40,000 youth ages eight to 21, particularly in rural areas.
