The 2009 B.C. 4-H Annual Report is available now, please read more.

Over 250 4-H members, leaders, and families met on February 27th for "4-H to the Extreme" a regional conference held at Aldergrove Community Secondary School. The conference included over 50 sessions on various topics in the areas of livestock care, leadership, safety, recreation, communication, and fun. The sessions were presented by 4-H 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.

Many sessions on livestock project skills such as, feeding, training, grooming, and judging were offered for projects including: swine, horse, dairy, beef, sheep, rabbit, llama, dog, and goat. Other livestock related sessions included a general animal 1st aid course, sessions on record keeping and a session where members could make their own rope halter.

Non-livestock project sessions were also offered for woolcraft, photography, crafts and foods projects. The foods session was new to 4-H to the Extreme for 2010 and focused on outdoor cooking using dutch ovens. The Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association attended and delivered special sessions on tractor and ATV safety for members involved in tractor or small engines projects as well as others who use these machines at home.

4-H communication and leadership sessions were also offered on topics including: demonstrations, educational displays, speak and show, and volunteer leader training. Special guest Iha Farquhar delivered a session on the Heroes Live Here program, a tool that 4-H clubs can use to build positive attitudes and team spirit.

Other fun and interesting sessions included: eat local, careers in agriculture, two-step dance and 10 amazing games. A special all-day session was offered by the BC 4-H Ambassadors for Cloverbud members and other young siblings of 4-Hers. The Cloverbuds spent the day playing games, making crafts and stepping in on the dance session.

During the lunch hour 4-H members and leaders participated in an interactive session delivered by professional speaker Bill Gordon on the topic: The Power of Kindness. Participants also had the opportunity to purchase 4-H supply items from the BC 4-H office staff and view educational displays from UCFV and Abbotsford Police Rural Crime Watch.

A huge thank you goes out to all the guest presenters who volunteered their time and knowledge to make this event a success.

The Fraser Valley 4-H Regional Council would like to thank the many volunteers who made the day possible, particularly the planning committee: Ginette Bourdages, Jenny Visser, Simon Mason, Kathy Smith, Darlene Severinski and Terri Allin.

4-H to the Extreme participants and organizers would like to recognize the following community minded businesses and organizations for their generous support:

• Sears Young Futures Grant Program
• Knights of Columbus Council #4767
• BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
• Cochrane and Associates
• Otter Co-op
• BC Hydro
• Barton Insurance
• Raider Hansen Industrial Tools
• Farm Credit Canada
• Save On Foods
• Hamilton Farms
• North Fraser 4-H District Council
• Chilliwack 4-H District Council
• Langley 4-H District Council
• Abbotsford 4-H District Council

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!

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!