4-H Program Hosts Czech Delegation

Eight 4-H leaders from the Czech Republic will be visiting Nova Scotia from May 1-9 to learn more about the Nova Scotia 4-H program.

The visit is part of an ongoing exchange program that began in 1995 with a trip to the Czech Republic by Nova Scotia delegates. Czech Republic volunteers came to Nova Scotia on a reciprocal visit and learned about the 4-H program here. Eventually, Czech delegates developed a 4-H program in their home country, one modelled after Nova Scotia's.

"It is an honour for the Nova Scotia 4-H program to be selected as a teaching model for the Czech 4-H leaders," said Elizabeth Crouse, manager, 4-H and Rural Organizations with the Department of Agriculture and Marketing. "We are proud and honoured to be able to show them first hand what the provincial 4-H program has to offer."

During the visit, 4-H clubs and counties across the province will host the delegation. Some 4-H clubs will set up displays, deliver speeches, put on demonstrations and invite the Czech leaders to attend 4-H meetings.

"The Nova Scotia 4-H program has had such a hand in developing many of the leaders in our rural communities," said Agriculture and Marketing Minister Ed Lorraine. "It is only fitting that other countries look to our province for help when developing their own program. It is proof that we have a valuable resource in our 4-H members and leaders that all Nova Scotians should be very proud of."

The Czech leaders will also tour several farms, the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, the Nova Scotia Legislature, tourist sites around the province and participate in the Nova Scotia 4-H Weekend on May 7 and 8.