ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — 4-H clubs for post-secondary students are helping make the transition from high school easier, while creating opportunities for youth to stay involved.
Breanne Durie, a third year agriculture student, helped establish the Collegiate 4-H Club at the University of Alberta that is currently evolving from a 4-H alumni group into the Future Leaders program.
“We restructured it to be a leadership and development type club,” she said.
It recently hosted a 4-H day for younger students to experience a day at university. The event included a sample lecture on entomology tailored to their age group delivered by a professor.
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“It’s advertising the university and creating a comfort zone for the kids,” said Durie.
Valerie Stone and Jacob Works of the Canadian 4-H Council’s youth advisory committee, who spoke at the rural youth group’s annual conference in Abbotsford, B.C., in May, said there is great potential for 4-H membership to grow through college clubs.
“We’re now able to put 4-H skills to use, keep them engaged and re-engaged in 4-H programs,” she said.
Works referred to international students who joined his club at Dalhousie University in Halifax and Stone said the University of Alberta’s club attracts many urban members.
The University of Manitoba Leaders Club recently received a lesson in journalism and participated in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank at Rivers, Man.
Challenges for these groups include keeping their numbers up as members graduate and securing enough funds to provide programs, social events and guest lectures.
“A new club really takes time,” Works said.
Stone said the clubs’ affiliation with 4-H can provide an entry point for students moving to new communities.
“It’s a key opportunity where 4-H members can stay involved as they move to different colleges. Through the 4-H contact, they will feel more welcome,” she said. “They can play a role in helping 4-Hers get off to a good start at university.”
