Wellington County 4-H is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
“The real testament to the Wellington County 4-H association … is that the legacy is a living one and that the program is still thriving and planting seeds that grow confident and caring and contributing future leaders,” said Rob Black, past executive director of 4-H Ontario and past president of the Canadian 4-H council board of directors.
“The fact that we need this just as much today as we did 100 years ago speaks to the wisdom and the foresight of our leaders that founded this program in Canada and here in Wellington County.”
Black was a keynote speaker at a 100th anniversary celebratory dinner at the Arthur and Area Community Centre on Oct. 28.
“For 100 years in Wellington 4-H has been known for building leadership, life skills and community involvement,” said Krista Fraser, a director and leader with Wellington County 4-H, at the dinner.
“The roots of the 4-H program are farm focused and directed at the development of rural youth. Over the last century, the program has evolved to engage youth from all areas.”
Wellington County 4-H began in 1917 as a home and garden contest with 25 boys and girls between 10 and 15 years of age enrolled.
“This project continued until 1935 with up to three clubs operating throughout the county,” Fraser said.
The program evolved to include livestock and agricultural clubs.
“By 1953 there were more than 30 4-H agriculture clubs running with 427 members in the county,” Fraser said. “The leader’s association was also formed in 1953 to help effectively run these clubs.”
From there various competitions were created for the members.
In 2013 4-H added a six–to 8-year-old program.
“Wellington was one of the first associations to actually run this Cloverbud program and for several years now Wellington 4-H has held the title for the largest Cloverbud program in Ontario,” said Debra Brown, executive director of 4-H Ontario.
“Youth need outlets to explore learning beyond the classroom,” Fraser said. “Most youth appreciate a hands-on approach and 4-H fully supports this learning strategy.
“Our ‘Learn to Do by Doing’ approach is about exploring, making mistakes and learning through physically trying. 4-Hers choose topics that interest them and the learning possibilities are endless.”
Wellington County Warden and Puslinch Mayor Dennis Lever commended 4-H for fostering social skills among youth in Wellington County.
“I fear [social skills] are being lost these days in the days of texts and having 140-character conversations,” he said. “So, seeing groups like 4-H together, talking, working together, using their hands, making something and having real discussions with each other is a huge benefit that comes out of 4-H.”
In addition to gaining valuable skills Black explained the sense of pride 4-H members may experience through their involvement with the program and when they’re in the show ring.
“The pride that comes from being involved in a program that dates back to 100 years here in Wellington County, 102 years in Ontario and 104 years in Canada,” he said. “The pride of holding onto something worth looking at and showing something they spent so much time preparing for.
“The sense of pride that only comes from their involvement in an organization that in many cases is a lifelong family and community affair. The pride in belonging to the best youth leadership program in the world. There it is. I said it.”
Perth Wellington MP John Nater also spoke at the dinner and he talked about how he was part of 4-H in his youth.
“I’m exceptionally pleased to see the 100th anniversary,” he said. “I know the skills young people learn through 4-H and the leadership qualities and dedication to the community is so essentially important to preserve, especially in our rural communities.”
He added that it “might be a good idea for politicians to consider the 4-H pledge.”
Wellington-Halton MP Michael Chong also offered his congratulations.
“4-H has … established the reputation across Canada for fostering the leaders of tomorrow and I am so proud of the positive impact that the local 4-Hers have made within our own community,” he wrote in a letter, read by Fraser.
“I would like to commend everyone involved in the success of 4-H in Wellington County. Your commitment and dedication promotes a future generation of Canadians the use their heads, hearts, hands and health for the betterment of society.”
Lever specifically thanked the volunteers associated with 4-H.
“Thank you for the commitment and service to the futures of our youth,” he said. “Without this it doesn’t happen.”
