Over 500 4-H members and alumni from across Ontario attended the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of Ontario’s first 4-H club on June 20.
“4-H is an integral part of our cultural fabric in Ontario and throughout our country it enriches our young people, our volunteers and our communities” said Jeff Leal, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “4-H’s focus of ‘developing people’ is why 4-H has stood the test of time and still has a committed membership. It’s instilling lifelong values in its members. As the next generation learns to do by doing, they gain the problem solving and critical thinking tools they need to pursue their destiny and to be successful, contributing citizens. I think we all owe a debt of thanks to Stanley Knapp for 100 years ago, having the vision here in Waterloo County to promote agricultural learning to Ontario’s youth. I think he would be very proud to see how far his club has come. The province of Ontario is better off because of 4-H.”
Saturday’s celebration marked the 100th anniversary of the very first 4H club in Ontario.
Since 1915, hundreds of thousands of youth have participated in leadership and skill development programs 4-H has offered. 4-H may have established its roots in rural Ontario with traditional livestock and homemaking clubs today there are over 100 different clubs to choose from ranging rabbit hopping, to Lego building.
