Over 165 4-H members, leaders, and families from the Central Interior 4-H Region met on September 26th for "4-H Family Frenzy" a regional conference that was held at the College of New Caledonia in Quesnel. The conference included 28 sessions on various topics in the areas of livestock care, non-livestock projects, leadership, safety, recreation, and fun. The sessions were presented by 4-H leaders, friends and alumni from around the province who have become experts in their subject areas through experience in the 4-H program and/or their professional careers.

Sessions were offered in many 4-H project areas including sheep, horse, rabbit, beef, swine, gardening, photography, leathercraft, outdoor living, and small engines. Two tractor safety and safe animal handling sessions were also offered by FARSHA to teach 4-H members and leaders about different aspects of farm safety. 4-H judging and record keeping were also on the agenda to help members develop skills to manage their 4-H projects. 4-H leaders and parents were given an opportunity to develop their leadership skills through workshops including the 4-H club management, put the child first, and introduction to 4-H. The day provided many opportunities for fun and creativity with sessions such as halter making, lahal game, and crafts. During the lunch hour Adrienne Smith and Shawne Bremer from the BC 4-H office hosted a presentation of the provincial and national 4-H program and travel opportunities, where they interviewed members from the region that have previously attended them.

The Central Interior 4-H Regional Council would like to thank the many volunteers who made the day possible, particularly the planning committee: Jackie Halliday, Silvia Laffer, DonDee Foley, Melanie Baker, Joyce Foxcroft, Patty Sims, Janet Sparks, Pat Cousineau, and Marion Cousineau. Thank you also to the following presenters who donated their time and expertise: Sarah van Heeswijk, Reg Steward, Erin Kishkan, Leah Foxcroft, Melanie Baker, Brenda Weber, Ross Stafford, Kevin Bendickson, Nicole Moorhead, Lisa Bertschinger, Jennifer Bergen, Lorrie Swirhun, Jackie Halliday, Earl Boyer, Nancy Cruiskshank, Lorrie Swirhun, Annie Gallant, Silvia Laffer, and Michelle Archie.

4-H Family Frenzy participants and organizers would like to recognize the following community minded businesses and organizations for their generous support of this event:

BC 4-H Provincial Council
BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
Farm Credit Canada
Williams Lake District 4-H Council
Quesnel District 4-H Council
Prince George District 4-H Council
Robson Valley District 4-H Council
Sears Young Futures 4-H Club Grant
Canadian 4-H Council
Dragon Mountain Farm
Staples - Williams Lake
Canadian Tire - Williams Lake
Cariboo Custom Monogramming
Schickworks Signs & Stiches
Kersley 4-H Club
Dawn and Nicole Moorhead
Baker Family
Quesnel Ag. Parts and Supplies
Priestman Family Farm
Alison's Embroidery and Gifts
North Cariboo Grower's Co-op

Looking forward to seeing everyone for the 4th Family Frenzy on the last Saturday of September 2011!

Alberta 4-H has extended an invitation to B.C. 4-H leaders to some of their upcoming programs.

67th Annual Alberta 4-H Leader’s Conference.

The conference is held from Friday, January 8 to Sunday, January 10th, 2010 at the Red Deer Lodge in Red Deer.
The registration deadline is November 23, 2009.
Please see Leaders' Conference for information and registration form.

We would like to extend an invitation to four (4) 4-H leaders to attend our SALTT program. SALTT begins with supper on Friday, November 20 to after lunch on Sunday, November 22, 2009 at the Alberta 4-H Centre.

Registration deadline for out of province delegates is: Thursday, October 15, 2009 - no late registrations will be accepted.

The cost is $120 per leader. Travel from the leader's home province to the program, meals and accommodation on site are included in the registration fee.

Please see SALTT for information and registration form.

An invitation is extended to two (2) 4-H leaders to attend our 6th biannual PELF program. PELF is begins with supper on Friday, February 19 to after lunch on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at the Alberta 4-H Centre.

We anticipate approximately 100 Alberta 4-H leaders along with guests from Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.

Registration deadline for out of province delegates is: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 - no late registrations will be accepted.

The cost is $120 per leader. Travel from the leader's home province to the program, meals and accommodation on site are included in the registration fee.

Please see PELF for information and registration form.

Fourteen British Columbia 4-H members have been awarded travel opportunities. The opportunities will involve outstanding young adults participating in various seminars, conferences and leadership programs during the next year.

Travel opportunity recipients were selected based on their past 4-H involvement, individual opportunity preference, leadership potential, and an interview. A key element in selections is to match delegates to an opportunity that fits the individual and will provide the environment for maximum leadership and youth development.

Travel opportunity awards and recipients are as follows:

4-H Youth Action Staff Leadership – (July 6 – 12, 2009)
Anna Douglas, Fraser Valley
Tamara Turner, Kamloops/Okanagan
Amelia Whitelaw, Vancouver Island

National 4-H Skills ( …and Thrills) Conference – Winnipeg (October 22-25, 2009)
Jasmine Doerfling, Fraser Valley
Tim Dumont, Kamloops Okanagan

National 4-H Members Conference – Toronto (November 3-8, 2009)
Scott Baker, Central Interior
Amber Bentley, Kamloops Okanagan
Brittany Dowling, Yellowhead West
Chad Sprietsma, Fraser Valley
Chelsea Webster, Fraser Valley

National 4-H Citizenship Seminar – Ottawa (tentative April 8 -15, 2010)
Stacy Beek, Fraser Valley
Carmen Herbert, Vancouver Island
Mariah Niesner, Yellowhead West

Washington DC 4-H Conference (tentative April 8 – 16, 2010)
Beth Anderson, Kamloops Okanagan

Eleven senior 4-H members from across the province and the Yukon travelled to Kelowna April 17-19, 2009 for the Provincial 4-H Public Speaking competition. These top speaking participants had competed at club, district, and regional levels to be awarded the opportunity to attend the provincial event.

Friday evening the delegates were given the chance to present to each other their prepared speeches that had brought them to this exciting opportunity in a non-competitive atmosphere. After this they got to know each other during a fun and relaxing game of cosmic bowling.

Saturday started bright and early with the delegates being whisked off to three local agriculture locations. The first stop was Tower’s Ranch, where the delegates tromped through snow, and learned about both rangeland and woodlot management. From there, the group went to the Kelowna Farmer’s and Crafter’s Market where they learnt about the ups and downs of marketing and selling home grown/ made products, and had some time to check wander through the market and see what was available. The last stop was at Carmelis Goat Cheese Artisans. Here the delegates learnt about the cheese making process and got to sample a wide variety of goat cheese that they make on site.

After the tours the delegates were given their impromptu topic, “What are some challenges that agriculture in Kelowna faces”. The delegates were given one hour to prepare their speeches and up to 4 minutes to deliver them.

We would like to congratulate all of the participants on their speeches and announce the top 2009 speakers:
1st – Chay Keenan-Toop – 150 Mile House
2nd – Shannon Palmer – Port Alberni
3rd – Amanda Byers – Vanderhoof

A special thanks to our fabulous judges, Robert Hobson, Stan Combs, and Margaret Stokman. Thank you to the Kelowna District Committee for hosting the event, the host families that billeted all the delegates, and Kyra Casorso, a local 4-H Ambassador who was the MC for the weekend. We would also like to thank the Agrium 4-H Youth Leadership Initiative Program for their generous support of this rewarding program.

BC 4-H is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to youth development. The program provides over 2900 young people with an opportunity to learn how to become productive, self-assured adults who can make their community a good place in which to live. This is fostered through project and program work, experiences with other 4-H cub members and leaders through participation in district, regional and provincial programs such as Provincial Public Speaking.

For More Information Contact:
BC 4-H Office
Box 490, #1-904 Maud Street
Enderby, BC V0E 1V0
Phone: 1-866-776-0373
Fax: 250-838-0343

On October 24-26th 2008, the “Pirates” of Prince George hosted approximately 90 leaders from across BC for the BC 4-H Leaders Conference held in Kelowna. Leaders were welcomed Friday night with a nautical themed banquet followed by a series of swashbuckling games and activities. On Saturday leaders started their day with announcements on new BC 4-H initiatives such as the secures pages on the BC 4-H website, updates to the BC 4-H leader training program and a new youth program called Clover Crew. There was also a guest speaker, Mike Nowosad, CEO of the Canadian 4-H Council, who presented on the role of the national council and how the provincial agencies fit.

Leaders then had the opportunity to participate in three sessions of their choice on topics including: 4-H club management, judging, communications program, project teaching, promotions coordinators, key leaders, safety coordinators, awards coordinators, ABCD leader roles, young leaders: making the transition, engaging older youth, fundraising, and involving parents.

In the afternoon, leaders loaded on the bus for a tour of Summerhill Winery in Kelowna. Saturday night the Pirates came out in full force for an evening of pilfering and plundering. The Saturday night banquet included presentations by special guests Gordon Bryant from the BC 4-H Foundation and magician Ali K. Zam. Sunday, leaders enjoyed a presentation on personality styles by keynote speaker Dan Ohler and then participated in a leader idea sharing session.

Conference participants said:
“It was nice to meet and chat with other leaders”
“Made great connections”
“I think this conference is an awesome way to recognise, thank, support and energies 4-H Leaders. It is a wonderful time. I hope even more leaders come next time!”

Special thanks to the Prince George District for hosting the 2008 Leaders Conference. A host district is still required for the 2010 event. If your district is interested please contact the BC 4-H office. Special thanks also to the conference sponsors: BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, BC 4-H Provincial Council, BC 4-H Foundation, Canadian 4-H Council, Summerhill Winery, Farm Credit Canada and Okanagan Ag and Turf.

Ahoy Mateys – we’ll see you in 2010!