Busy Time for 4-H

These are busy times for people involved in the Nova Scotia 4-H Program. Across the province, 4-H participants are gearing up for this weekend's annual Nova Scotia 4-H Show, and are hosting five 4-H leaders from Barbados who are here to learn more about the provincial program.

The Nova Scotia 4-H Show will take place, Oct. 1-3, at the Nova Scotia Exhibition Grounds in Truro and is open to the public. The Barbados delegation is visiting the province from Sept. 27 to Oct. 4, and will be visiting the show during their stay.

"For 77 years, rural youth in Nova Scotia has benefited from the life skills learned in the 4-H program, and the calibre of young people participating in the provincial show this weekend is testament to the program's excellence," said Agriculture and Marketing Minister Ernie Fage. "We should also be proud that our 4-H program is being recognized as a valuable resource by other countries and that they look to our program as a model when developing their own."

The Nova Scotia 4-H Show is the largest provincial 4-H show in Canada. About 2600 4-H members and 1000 adult leaders participate in the show, where 4-H members compete for top honours in a variety of livestock, non-livestock and homemaking classes. A Market Steer and Lamb Show and sale, fashion show, tug-of-war, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair selections, bake-off, and dog obedience and grand champion showmanship classes are just a few of the show's highlights.

Each year a county or region hosts the 4-H show. The eastern region 4-H councils are hosting this year's show and were responsible for making site arrangements, providing security and fund raising.

"It takes a lot of co-operation and planning by the hosting committee, 4-H clubs and staff to have a successful Nova Scotia 4-H Show," said Elizabeth Crouse, Manager of 4-H and Rural Organizations with the Department of Agriculture and Marketing. "We are proud that after 22 years, this show is still well attended by about 10,000 people and that we have the opportunity to showcase 4-H members' project achievements to the public."

The visit by the Barbados delegation is the first phase of an exchange that will see Nova Scotia 4-H contributing to the revitalization of the 4-H program in the Barbados. The second phase will have Nova Scotia delegates providing 4-H leadership training to Barbados' 4-H leaders.

While in Nova Scotia, delegation members will meet with 4-H leaders and staff from across the province to gather information about the province's 4-H program, and visit the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Nova Scotia Legislature, Camp Rankin, and tourist sites around the province.

The 4-H Program is open to youth from age nine to 21. More than 40 skill-developing projects such as livestock, crafts, foods and photography will be on display.