Conference Focuses on Future Rural Leaders

The province's next generation of farmers and entrepreneurs will be meeting at a 4-H conference this weekend in Truro.

Sixty participants from across Nova Scotia will be learning new skills and investigating educational and career paths at the Provincial 4-H Intermediate Members Conference.

The 4-H members, who are between the ages of 13 and 15, will be able to tour Nova Scotia Agricultural College and attend sessions on the agriculture industry, environmental issues and entrepreneurial skills. The conference is being held at Agritech Park and the theme is Focusing on the Future.

"One of the objectives of this workshop is to help the members realize that 4-H offers a variety of opportunities to them as they continue through the 4-H program. As a senior 4-H member, the opportunities increase for scholarships, travel awards, career and educational options," said Cheryl Burbidge, conference co-ordinator with the Nova Scotia 4-H Council. "As a 4-H leader, I know that the 4-H program has a great deal to offer young people if they stay with it into their teenage years."

A highlight of the conference will be the selection of one 4-H member to attend the Rural Urban Connections Forum in British Columbia from July 26 to July 31. This forum will provide the opportunity for Canadian 4-H delegates to focus on the priority issues facing the Canadian and British Columbia agriculture and food industry.

Sponsors of the conference are the Nova Scotia 4-H Council; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Marketing; and the Forestry Association of Nova Scotia.