The Wourms family of St. Walburg, Sask., is steeped in the 4-H tradition. Three generations have been leaders of local clubs.
Lambert Wourms, 79, is one of two 4-H leaders in the province who received a special Saskatchewan Centennial Leadership Award at a provincial 4-H conference Oct. 29 in Saskatoon.
He started as a member of the beef club at the age of 14 and continued for seven years until he reached the club’s age limit. Two years later, he had married, settled into a farm and decided to assume leadership of the local 4-H club that his father had led for 25 years. He served as district council president and has been master of ceremonies for the St. Walburg regional 4-H show and sale for 49 years.
Read Also
Well-being improvement can pay off for farms
Investing in wellness programs in a tight labour market can help farms recruit and retain employees
“The best thing about 4-H is the respect the kids show you,” said Wourms. “I didn’t expect that. It shows a lot the value of 4-H to youth.”
He retired after 25 years as club leader to make room for fresh ideas. His son has just finished 25 years as a 4-H leader. Wourms said he didn’t know why the Saskatchewan 4-H group had singled him out.
“I think all the leaders should get an award.”
Similarly modest was the other centennial award leader, Neil Isley of Delisle, Sask., who joined as a 4-H member in 1991 and left when he was 21, a decade later. He served on the provincial 4-H board in 1999 and said he always enjoyed the people “whether nine or 90.”
Isley became a club leader while still a member of the Laura multiple club. He led the Saskatoon multiple 4-H club and now that he and his wife have moved to an acreage near Delisle, they have started a light horse 4-H club.
Isley credits the public speaking required by 4-H members with building his confidence.
In Alberta, two women will be admitted to the 4-H Hall of Fame.
Carol Arntzen of Sedgewick, Alta., has been a leader with 4-H since 1972 and was a member of the provincial 4-H council from 1974-82. She received the 4-H East Central Award of Distinction in 1989 and is the 4-H key leader for the Flagstaff district.
Carole Tkach of Coronation, Alta., has been involved with 4-H for more than 20 years and has led the local beef club since 1981. She has been active on the local and provincial front and was also awarded the East Central Award of Distinction in 2000 for her 4-H involvement. In 1992, Tkach was also named Coronation Citizen of the Year for community service.
Arntzen and Tkach join 61 Alberta volunteers inducted to the 4-H hall of fame since it began in 1971. They will be honoured at the annual 4-H leaders’ conference in Red Deer Jan. 14.
