As the Canadian 4-H movement struggles to recruit new members and make its 97-year-old principles and programs relevant to the 21st century, Matthew Tweedy has a suggestion.The 20-year-old business student at the University of Prince Edward Island said 4-H could begin teaching its members the basics of business, money management and business plans.“We think that 4-H can give a solid basis to deal with money,” the longtime P.E.I. member said in late May as the Canadian 4-H Council youth advisory committee presented the council annual meeting a vision of what the movement can do for members in a changing world. “Money sense is crucial.”And he argued it would not just be useful for members who want to go back to the farm.As 4-H tries to appeal to urban youth, he said business skills could be useful for whatever urban young people decide to do in life as well.Tweedy grew up on a dairy farm and has seen first hand the complex business and financial world in which his parents operate.He said 4-H clubs could tap into the business expertise of farmers, local bankers and business leaders to teach members some of the fundamentals of business in 2010.“There really hasn’t been much of that, and none in P.E.I.,” he said. “I think it is a real opportunity.”Tweedy said only 4-H councils in Ontario and Nova Scotia have offered financial seminars for members. “I hope other provinces look at this.”During the meeting, agriculture minister Gerry Ritz said he is a proud graduate of 4-H who brings the “learn to do by doing” motto to his job as minister every day.He announced a $1 million, three-year government contribution to two projects – the 4-H Youth Exchange project and the National 4-H Citizenship Seminar project.
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