N.S. 4-H Members Win Scholarships

Excellent writing skills and project work has helped six Nova Scotia 4-H members win $5,500 in national and provincial university entrance scholarships.

"4-H is one of the best youth development programs in the country and these scholarships underscore the benefits offered by the provincial program," said Agriculture and Marketing Minister Ed Lorraine. "Participants learn valuable skills for the future and in many cases, like these award winners, have the opportunity to receive assistance for furthering their education."

Tony Versteeg of Milford, Hants Co., and Ian Porter of Westville, Pictou Co., each received Ivomectin (IVOMEC) 4-H Scholarships worth $1,000. The IVOMEC scholarships were created from money donated by Merial Canada Inc. based on purchases of IVOMEC Pour-On, a veterinarian product for cattle. Applicants were required to write essays on what innovations they thought could further advance the cattle industry, or agriculture in general, into the 21st century.

Jolene Van den Heuvel of Brook Village, Inverness Co. received the Harvest Trust Scholarship Fund $500 entrance scholarship. The objective of the scholarship is to set higher educational goals and heighten awareness of agricultural issues as they pertain to crop production.

Megan Sanford of Clementsvale, Annapolis Co. received a $1000 entrance scholarship from the Nova Scotia 4-H Council. Applicants were required to write a 1500 word essay on how they have benefitted from their 4-H career.

Lissa Spicer of Berwick, Kings Co. received the Co-Operators $1,000 scholarship. Applicants were required to write an essay on farm safety and accident prevention.

Elaine Beaton of Mabou, Inverness Co. received the national Farm Credit Corporation Scholarship valued at $1,000. Her essay on limiting Canadian rural depopulation was selected as the winning entry from Nova Scotia.

To apply for scholarships, 4-H members must be 16 years-old and have been a member for at least two years. All scholarship applicants must submit an essay with their completed application form. The essays are judged for style, subject knowledge, originality, quality, and interpretation of research, as well as spelling and grammar.

The 4-H program is a leadership development program for youth aged nine to 21 and is administered by the Department of Agriculture and Marketing. Currently 2800 young people are enrolled in more than 100 clubs throughout Nova Scotia.