4-H Interprovincial Exchange Program

Five Nova Scotia 4-H members will experience customs and lifestyles in other provinces as part of the 38th annual Royal Bank of Canada 4-H Interprovincial Exchange.

The visits take place between July 5 and July 18. As part of their visit, 4-H members will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and information on agriculture with other rural youth.

"This exchange program gives our youth an invaluable opportunity to learn about other parts of Canada and other rural ways of life, and bring back information and experiences that is beneficial to the entire provincial 4-H program," said Agriculture and Marketing Minister Ernest Fage. "I'm sure the 4-H members from Nova Scotia will be excellent ambassadors for our 4-H program and the province."

The exchange trip is part of a national 4-H award program. The awards were given based on interviews and contributions to the 4- H program and community. Participants must be between 16- and 21- years-of-age and have been involved for at least two years in 4- H. Travel expenses are covered by the Royal Bank, the program's major sponsor; participants are hosted by local 4-H families.

John Hutchings, a district sales manager of agriculture at the Royal Bank, will host a farewell banquet tonight in Halifax for the Atlantic Canadian 4-H delegates.

The Nova Scotia delegates, and their destination, are as follows:
Tanya Wood of Amherst will travel to Alberta; Damara Nickerson of New Germany will travel to British Columbia; Derrick Kennie of Wolfville will travel to Ontario; Crystal Baird of Pinevale will travel to Manitoba; and Colleen Baker from Margaretsville will travel to Saskatchewan.

At the same time, Nova Scotia 4-H families will host five delegates from the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta and British Columbia.