4-H Members, Leaders Attend Conferences
Four-H members and leaders from Nova Scotia are attending two of the premiere events hosted by the Canadian 4-H Council.
The National 4-H Conference and National 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Conference are being held from Nov. 3 to Nov. 7 in Toronto. Fifteen delegates from Nova Scotia are scheduled to attend.
"These conferences not only provide development opportunities for the delegates but the information they bring back is invaluable and helps strengthen their local 4-H clubs," said Ernest Fage, Minister of Agriculture and Marketing. "The members and leaders who have been chosen to attend are recipients of National 4-H Travel awards, a very high honour. We are proud of them and what they have given to the 4-H program in Nova Scotia."
About 60 delegates from across Canada, six from the United States and three young farmers from the United Kingdom will attend the national conference. During the conference, delegates participate in educational sessions focusing mainly on agricultural issues. Workshops and discussion groups encourage delegates to voice their views and opinions and share ideas. Delegates also make group presentations on agricultural issues such as animal rights and welfare; the future of rural society; microbiology and food safety; impact of global changes; land stewardship and environmental management; and biotechnology focusing on genetic engineering. This year's conference theme is Agriculture...Focusing on the Future.
The theme of this year's leaders' conference is Connecting 4-H Challenges. During the conference, 50 volunteer leaders from across Canada, and five from the United States, will improve their leadership skills and knowledge and exchange ideas through sessions that focus on change in 4-H programs, program strengths and weaknesses, communication, keys to success, and motivation. Volunteer leaders will participate in a number of joint sessions with national 4-H conference delegates.
The Nova Scotia delegates to the national conference are: Dawn Beaton, Inverness County; Carrie Donovan, Hants County; Garrett Van Orishot, Antigonish County; Dallas Bent, Annapolis County; Amy Lee Kouwenburg, Cumberland County; Kimberly Levy, Kings County; Rayanne Nelson, Colchester County; and Matthew Reeves, Lunenburg County.
The Nova Scotia delegates to the volunteer leaders' conference are: John Herbin, Kings County; Dorothy Saunders, Inverness County; Richard Churchill, Yarmouth County; Brian Sharpe, Pictou County; Robert Jourdrey, Lunenburg County; Wenda MacLaughlin, Annapolis County; and Eleanor Tree, Kings County.
These conferences are held during National 4-H Week, Nov. 1-7, which celebrates the accomplishments of the 4-H program and honours the thousands of members, leaders and supporters who contribute to its success.