CALGARY — Retooling, resurrecting and ramping up new projects are behind improvements in 4-H membership in Manitoba, said Clayton Robins, 4-H Manitoba’s executive director.
The organization grew to 2,319 from 2,196 over the last year.
“Retention is contributing to that number as much as growth,” he said, crediting innovative approaches and keen leaders embracing new projects.
Expanding the eligible age range to six to 25 also added members.
The group is currently seeking increased aboriginal members by working with five friendship centres in the province.
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“It’s a promising opportunity to do more together than we could do separately,” Robins said.
“The biggest benefit is these young children that will get a sense of belonging to a club, structured programming, skills development and leadership development.”
He hopes to continue expanding by incorporating programs learned from other 4-H programs in Canada during the 4-H Canada annual conference in Calgary June 2-4.
They include e-learning on the provincial website, beef symposiums and science days at universities and building on the university-based 4-H clubs to keep members involved longer.
It could also include exploring innovations from members’ own farm operations, said Robins.
“We always come out of this with great ideas,” he said.
“The challenge is to make it happen and find the money to make it happen.”
New programming in Manitoba includes a weather tracking project, in which 30 members collect data year round through a partnership with the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network.
Members are given tools to track weather while learning about severe weather and its impact and how such volunteer contributions can benefit agriculture and society.
Robins said Science in the Kitchen is an example of where 4-H has built more science into projects.
Members learn the interaction between ingredients while experimenting with food.
Provincial initiatives included 50 4-Hers participating in a 4-H intermediate camp in April.
For senior 4-Hers, an Oct. 21-23 event will allow them to complete a project in one weekend in Brandon.
Members will learn about their topics through hands-on experience and will be taught by professionals with a special focus on the environment and healthy living.
The 4-H Fun Fest, open to all Manitoba 4-H members, will be hosted for the first time at the Red River Exhibition in Winnipeg June 24-26.
It features horse, cattle and sheep shows, a 4-H Food Challenge, a fashion show, judging clinic, the Road Block Relay Race and team tug-of-war.
