Guest speaker Rob Black shared his passion for 4-H at the Wellington County Historical Society’s annual meeting on June 1.
“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. He was executive director of 4-H Ontario and president of the Canadian 4-H Council. Currently he is a leader in Perth County.
A show of hands indicated over half the audience members at the meeting were involved with 4-H at some point in their lives. Over 2 million Canadians lives have been enriched by the program.
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.
“Learning to do by doing,” the 4-H motto, was created in 1954. Agricultural reps 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 were livestock, rabbits, bees, tobacco, onions, grapes, farm safety and automotive. By the mid 1960s exchanges with other parts of the country began.
The 4-H Pledge
The 4-H pledge, still used in 2015, is:
My head to clearer thinking
My heart to greater loyalty
My hands to larger service
My health to better living
By 1960 there were 90,000 members across Canada. Today, that number has declined to 25,000. Ontario 4-H has 5,800 members and 1,800 volunteers.
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 Club 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.
Over 100 clubs are in existence today, ranging from traditional to science and technology clubs, nutrition and outdoor living. Leadership camps allow young people to develop leadership and public speaking skills. Volunteers appreciate the programs quality and the opportunity to give back to the next generation.
“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 future plans to maintain and grow membership. Membership will be available to children aged 6 to 25. An awareness of programs, reaching out beyond rural members to suburban/urban membership and an increase in projects and opportunities are all part of 4-H’s growth.
Black said, “4-H teaches skills that go beyond the farm gate. Friendships made continue into adult hood.”
