Manitoba
The province’s highways got a spring cleaning May 7 as up to 150 Manitoba 4-H clubs picked up garbage in roadside ditches. It was the ninth year the clubs have undertaken the task, said Shaunda Rossington.
In other activities the province has selected its intermediate public speaking champion. Morgan Strachan of the Graysville club won with his speech on the Olympics. On May 14, 30 4-Hers will compete in the province’s visuals program. On May 15-17 there will be 12 young people in the senior public speaking competition. Rossington said all posters in the 4-H farm safety competition will be displayed at the Ag Expo in Morris June 7-9.
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Alberta
Alberta clubs were also cleaning up highways this past weekend. Coming up are deadlines: May 15 is the last day for applications from 4-Hers for over $50,000 in post-secondary scholarships; June 15 is the deadline for nominations of leaders, sponsors and other adults to the 4-H Hall of Fame. Alberta 4-H has also named its major award winners last week from the 123 members attending its selections weekend. Trips were awarded to 65 4-Hers who will represent the province at major educational programs and tours throughout Canada and the United States over the next 12 months.
The top prize, the Premier’s Award, went to Julie Hadwin of Consort. The 17-year-old high school student is a seven-year member of the local multi-club, and is involved in her church and other youth groups.
British Columbia
Focus on judging, a mid-March workshop, was a good learning experience for the 40 members from the Kamloops-Okanagan areas, says Pat Tonn. An even larger crowd, 250 members, attended a seminar the same day at the Fraser Valley University College about how to judge for 11 different types of projects.
This month, Tonn said, 4-Hers are working on regional events such as demonstration competitions. That will be followed by judging rallies in each of the 30 districts, plus leadership forums and preparation for summer fairs. The public speaking contest held in Lumby was won by Mikel Bech of the Langley beef and swine club.
Saskatchewan
The provincial 4-H council and the CIBC Farm Financial Services have developed a Preferred Animal Loan (PAL) program for 4-H members who are enrolled in one of the livestock market projects — beef, swine or sheep.
Qualifying 4-H members can get up to $1,000 at prime interest rate to buy an animal. The loan is payable within 12 months and interest is repaid quarterly.
In a press release, Saskatchewan 4-H said this is an educational program that follows the 4-H motto of “learn to do by doing.”
