TORONTO– 4-H will raise the profile of science and technology in its programs next year, says the president of the Canadian 4-H Council.
Judy Shaw said the council is developing a summit on the topic that will likely be part of the 2011 national members conference but could become a standalone event in the future.
The idea stems partly from ongoing efforts to attract and retain members.
Membership has increased in Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia and is stable in Ontario, but elsewhere members have decreased.
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There are 26,000 4-H members and 7,000 leaders in Canada, which is a decrease from recent years but mirrors what’s happening in other youth groups.
Ken Lancastle, communications and marketing manager for the Canadian 4-H Council and Canadian 4-H Foundation, said the American 4-H movement hopes to have one million members in its New Scientists program by 2015.
That program focuses on science, engineering and technology and hosts an annual national summit.
“It is not meant to attract from one area but to offer something unique to youth,” Lancastle said of the Canadian summit.
“It would provide hands-on learning and show links between agriculture and science.”
He said it would look at what science can do to address food shortag- es and population growth through new crops and technology.
Council board member Jennifer Christie said giving 4-Hers opportunities to learn more about technology in industry will help position them for their futures.
However, she said they already possess many skills in communication, self-confidence and public speaking that her employer, John Deere, is looking for.
“We think those are the skills that we want in our employees as well as leadership skills,” Christie said.
“We feel a lot of the other skills can be taught.”
Shaw said there are many benefits for youth from 4-H. A 4-H Measures of Success survey found that 64 percent of former members achieve a bachelor’s degree or higher.
“At university, they say they can pick 4-Hers out of the class. Our data shows more 4-Hers go to university and have higher incomes than any other sector,” she said.
“That tells us 4-H is helping them out, but we can help more people if more people knew about 4-H and its benefits.”
Shaw said the movement hopes to tap universities for former members interested in remaining involved by leading clubs.
4-H numbers have declined as farms become bigger and fewer and the rural population declines, but the U.S. 4-H program remains the country’s largest youth group.
Shaw would like to see the same growth in Canada.
“There’s a choice whether to do it smaller or to grow it, but it has so many values that it really is important to have other people know about it rather than keep it a secret.”
