Why has the federal government cut funding to its agricultural research centre at Morden, Man.?
Awaiting his answer, 10 pairs of eyes settled on John Harvard, chair of the House of Commons agriculture committee.
The question did not come from a hard-nosed reporter or angry farmer.
The question came from Janelle Sprung, 17, who Harvard remembers for the “sparkle in her eyes” when she gets to talking politics.
And it helped Sprung win a 10-day trip to Ottawa and Washington, D.C. this May to join other 4-H members in learning about government and to discuss matters important to the politics of their own organization.
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“I think (the question) obviously reflects Janelle’s understanding of her own community,” said Harvard.
Sprung, queen of the Morden, Man., Corn and Apple Festival and long-time veteran of 4-H in Manitoba, has a first-hand understanding of the funding cuts to the research centre. Her dad, Ross, works there as a machinery operator.
She said Harvard’s answer to her question that Saturday morning made a lot of sense.
She said he told her about new research partnerships between industry and government that have led to more focus in priorities and more spending.
The trip to the capitols is a long-standing reward for top 4-Hers in Canada.
But this year, Manitoba 4-H added a twist to the competition by inviting Harvard and provincial agriculture minister Harry Enns to talk about how they develop agriculture policy.
The 4-Hers were judged on their conversation and questions with the politicians, as well as a personal interview with judges, and a presentation of a portfolio of 4-H and community involvement.
“It gave them a better understanding of how government works,” said Joan Clement, manager of the 4-H and youth section of Manitoba Agriculture.
For Sprung, it brought public figures she had seen on television to life.
“They’re really friendly, they’re real people,” she said.
Fellow 4-Hers Heather Foubert of Whitemouth, Jody Green of Fisher Branch, Courtney Teetaert of Deloraine and Diane Clark of Grandview also peppered the politicians with questions about low farm income and United States’ border issues.
“My impression is that these are young, interesting teenagers that are interested in the wider world than where they live,” said Harvard.
