Organization to develop programs such as Agriculture Safety and Mental Health Workshop and Spring Senior Symposium
Alberta 4-H is receiving new money to develop more programs.
The organization will receive $731,000 over the next five years from the federal and provincial governments under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership to support three new 4-H programs.
Christine Suominen, Alberta 4-H board chair and an alumnus of the group, lauded the “long-standing relationship” with the provincial government, calling it “a supportive and generous partner who understands the importance of 4-H Alberta for youth across the province, as well as the future of agriculture.
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“Funding for 4-H Alberta is crucial for delivering much-needed programs and will help us to grow 4-H in the years to come.”
Kurt Kinnear, chief executive officer of 4-H Alberta, said the organization has worked for more than a century to create “resilient youth” in Alberta, focusing on community service, public speaking, youth leadership and development,” and most importantly, learning to do by doing.”
The three programs funded by the SCAP grant will be new to the organization.
The Intro to 4-H program condenses the full year program into six weeks, said Kinnear. It is built on last year’s pilot and targets a mainly urban audience, acting as a platform to foster the development of young people and educate them about agriculture.
This program is designed for young people who have never been in 4-H. Two new clubs have already been established because of the pilot program.
The Agriculture Safety and Mental Health Workshop focuses on livestock management and farm safety. Participants will learn how to remain calm under pressure, manage livestock and learn skills for humane animal handling.
It also includes mental health sessions, including equine therapy.
This program will run annually and is targeted at youth who work with livestock.
The Spring Senior Symposium is targeted at senior high school 4-H members. Funds will be used to access speakers and provide training sessions.
The symposium will address mental health, strategies to overcome adversity and ways to maintain positive relationships. It will also address the stigma of mental illness in farming communities.
Alberta agriculture minister RJ Sigurdson said 4-H Alberta has taught many young Albertans the skills they can use for their entire lives, such as public speaking and leadership. He said the investment through SCAP will enable 4-H Alberta to create the new programs and build connections between urban youth, rural youth, farmers and ranchers.
More than 90 per cent of the funds will be allocated to the Intro to 4-H program.
