Guest speaker Rob Black, shared his passion for 4-H at the Oct. 5 meeting of the Mapleton Historical Society. Over 20 people were in attendance at the United Church in Drayton to hear Black speak.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without 4-H. It has made me a better person,” Black said.
Black has been involved with the organization for 41 years, beginning as a member of the Beef Club in the 1970s. He has held numerous positions including a club leader in Perth County. He’s also a parent of members in Wellington County. Black also was executive director of 4-H Ontario and president of the Canadian 4-H Council. In June 2012, Black was the recipient of a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his contribution to the 4-H program across Canada. Black and two of his children remain actively involved in the organization today.
A show of hands determined that over 90 per cent of the attendees were involved with 4-H at some point in their lives. One society member shared memories of the daunting task of keeping 4-H record books. Another ran a gardening club for 18 years and a third got into the poultry business because of her involvement with the organization. Over two million Canadian’s lives have been enriched by the program since its inception.
The first meeting of the Boys and Girls Club, which was made up of 30 boys, took place in January, 1915. Waterloo resident Stanley Knapp’s vision of teaching agriculture to the next generation was realized with this first meeting in the Elmira area.
By 1930, sewing clubs were instituted for girls. In 1952 the name Boys and Girls Club was changed to 4-H. The Women’s Institute played a role in the formation of 4-H homemaking clubs.
“Learn to do by doing”, the 4-H motto, was created in 1952 as the result of a contest held across Canada.
Agricultural representatives led clubs in the late 1950s and early 1960s. A leaders association formed shortly after with project books created and guides available for leaders. Popular clubs from 1950 to 1970 included livestock, rabbits, bees, tobacco, onions, grapes, farm safety and automotive. By the mid-1960s exchanges began within Canada and in other parts of the world. 4-H Canada had 90,000 members across Canada in 1960. The number stands at 25,000 in 2015. Ontario currently has 5,800 members and 1,800 volunteers.
The 4-H pledge is still used in 2015:
My head to clearer thinking
My heart to greater loyalty
My hands to larger service
My health to better living
For my club, my community, my country.
Wellington County 4-H began in 1917 with the co-operation of the Department of Agriculture in Arthur.
The Home Garden Contest attracted 25 children aged 12 to 15. The Erin Potato Club formed in 1920 and the Minto/Maryborough Livestock Club in 1928. Rockwood hosted its first Sheep Club in 1932.
4-H is open to children aged 9 to 21 with the Clover Buds program suited to ages 6 to 8 from rural and non-rural backgrounds. Members develop skills and training in citizenship, leadership, co-operation collaboration, responsibility, independence, public speaking, entrepreneurship, life skills, team building and financial management. The Beef Club is one of the longest running clubs.
Over 100 clubs are in existence today, ranging from the traditional clubs to science and technology, nutrition and outdoor living. Leadership camps allow young people to develop leadership and public speaking skills.
Volunteers appreciate the program’s quality and the opportunity to give back to the next generation.
The ambassador program involves the popular Go for the Gold Competition. Youth exchanges exist between Ontario and other clubs across Canada.
“ Even with the age of technology and the dwindling rural population that exists today, the future of 4-H is bright.” Black said. “Young people need to belong.”
The organization has plans to maintain and grow membership. Membership will be available to children aged 6 to 25. An awareness and promotion campaign, reaching out beyond rural members to suburban/urban membership and an increase in projects and opportunities are all part of 4-H’s growth plan.
Black said, “4-H teaches skills that go beyond the farm gate. Friendships made continue into adulthood. We are like family. I know I’ve said it before but I want to reinforce that I would not be where I am today, without 4-H.”
