Government invests $1 million in 4-H scholarships
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/11/2020 (926 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
On Nov. 4, 2020, I rose in the house to celebrate the 4-H program in Manitoba on Show Your Colours day. November has been proclaimed 4-H month to recognize the program’s longstanding success and its impact on youth and communities.
From the beginning of the Canadian 4-H movement in Roland, Man., in 1913 to today, the 4-H program has helped young people develop their individual skills. Building skills that nurture leadership and service to community through collaboration, diversity and understanding is at the heart of the 4-H program.
It has evolved from a rural-based farm and home program to a wide-ranging selection of projects. While beef and horse clubs still abound across Manitoba, there are now hands on projects such as food preservation, starting a business, small machines, fitness and so much more.
Of course, 4-H would not be complete without the nerve-wracking communications competitions but this is more than offset by honing critical public speaking skills, not to mention the travel opportunities across Canada and around the world. This is yet another example of the leadership qualities young people learn in the 4-H program.
Our government is investing $1 million to establish a new 4-H Manitoba Trust scholarship program that will provide post-secondary scholarships to current and former 4-H members beginning in 2021.
On a personal note, my wife Dianne and I were both involved in 4-H clubs as young people and spent more than 10 years as leaders as our family was in a 4-H beef club. To watch young people grow and mature in the 4-H program is such a rewarding experience.
Just as 4-H started out 107 years ago in rural Manitoba, the sky is the limit for 4-H to continue expanding into urban and northern communities.
The program fosters responsible, caring and contributing community leaders and we need to keep encouraging that right across our great province.
Thank you to the 2,000-plus Manitoba 4-H members and the 600-plus volunteer leaders who pledge:
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 and my world.
Blaine Pedersen
Midland constituency report
Blaine Pedersen is the PC MLA for Midland.