4-H Prizes to Help Fund Education

The Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro will be the site of this year's Provincial 4-H Weekend on Friday, May 5, and Saturday, May 6.

The two-day event will showcase the skills of 4-H members who have already won competitions and demonstrations at the county, club and regional levels.

Members will also be competing for cash prizes that are designed to help fund their post-secondary education. Four $500 first- place prizes will be used to purchase a Registered Education Savings Plan for each winner.

AgriVest Financial Advisors, AIC Group of Funds and AIM Funds Group are sponsoring the four first-place prizes. Winners can also apply for a federal government grant of $100. The prizes will be awarded in the categories of Top Junior Speech, Top Junior Single Demonstration and Top Junior Team Demonstration. The competitions are open to youth between the ages of nine and 13.

"4-H weekend is a way for members to build confidence and celebrate their accomplishment in having won at the county, club and regional level -- and hopefully the provincial level, " said Ernest Fage, Minister of Agriculture and Marketing. "It also highlights for people who watch the competitions the high skill level of 4-H participants, particularly in the public speaking categories. The skill level really is exceptional and will help them in every area of their lives."

Mr. Fage also supported the decision to put prize money into an educational savings plans for some winners.

"The 4-H program is all about learning and preparing yourself to be a productive member of your community and investing in yourself through education," he said. "I think using the prize money to set up an educational savings fund for the future is a great idea."

The final event of the weekend, 4-H Night in Nova Scotia, will take place on Saturday at the Cobequid Educational Centre. Awards will be presented to competitors and recognition will be given to those leaders and members who have won national awards. The event will showcase speeches, demonstrations, entertainment and square dancing. As well, the winning woodsman team will be announced and the Provincial 4-H Host and Hostess and the official youth representatives for the 4-H program in Nova Scotia will be selected.

The public is welcome to attend any of the weekend events.