Over 2,000 4-H members meet in Windsor for provincials

BY MATTHEW CLAIRMONT

NovaNewsNow.com

From Sept. 28-30, Windsor will be home to the 4-H provincial event, showcasing champions and grand champions from each county in Nova Scotia.

Volunteers and members of the 4-H program from across the province will arrive at the Hants County Exhibition grounds to participate in a number of competitions and display the winning projects they’ve completed.

For the 2007 provincials, 2,400 4-H members and 1,000 4-H leaders and families are expected to attend and bring a significant economic boost to the town. Many local businesses will have displays demonstrating their support and to welcome all 4-H members and families throughout the weekend.

The Super 8 Motel that opened on Cole Drive last Wednesday is completely booked, as are many surrounding accommodations.

The show is coordinated by 4-H staff and volunteer leaders. 4-H members from across the province compete in a variety of livestock, homemaking and non-livestock competitions. This event is the largest independent Provincial 4-H show in Canada.

The three-day program includes livestock competitions, a fashion show, dog obedience and handling trials, a tug-of-war competition, and livestock auctions. It also features a Young Speakers for Agriculture competition, which for some can be a highlight of the event.

“It’s something a lot of kids are interested in,” says Trish Clark, 4-H volunteer and scrapbooking leader. “There is not a lot of public speaking done in schools anymore. Everyone in the program must complete a speech or presentation each year, which is good practice for the future.”

The competition is one of many that start Friday evening. The Nova Scotia winner will compete in the National Young Speakers for Agriculture competition in early November 2007 at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario. The competition, which originated in 1985 in honour of the International Year of Youth, became a national competition in 1997.

Important anniversaries

"Nova Scotia's 4-H program is celebrating two important anniversaries this year: 85 years as a leadership program for youth and 30 years of hosting a Nova Scotia 4-H show," says Brooke Taylor, N.S. Minister of Agriculture. "This program builds character and develops our young people into future community leaders."

4-H is a nationwide program dedicated to the development of young people to help them become responsible members of society. It’s equally designed for youth between the ages of 9-21 and adults who wish to share their leadership. Aside from being a great opportunity to participate in your local community, 4-H members also develop new skills and broaden their interests.

The Nova Scotia 4-H program offers more than 40 projects in fields as diverse as livestock, woodworking, floriculture, crafts, photography, welding, computer skills, and more. Their motto is "Learn to Do by Doing", which gives members self-confidence and pride in a job well done. 4-H leaders are volunteers who play a vital role in the development of their members as well as their community.

At the show, members of the 4-H Show Committee, the 4-H Council Executive, Market Committee and 4-H Staff will wear nametags identifying themselves. The Hosting Committee will sport navy jackets and those overseeing security in the Life Skills Display Building will wear pinnies.

All weekend long tickets will be sold on a quilt constructed in Hants County and the winner will be drawn at the 2007 N.S. Council Meeting Nov. 17 in Truro.

The Nova Scotia 4-H Council will also be selling a wide range of items including coffee mugs, portfolios and folding Frisbees.

The Kings County Provincial Show Hosting Committee will also sell 2008 4-H calendars for $10 in the Life Skills Display building.

Everyone is welcome and admission is free.