Top 4-H Members Attend National Conferences

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Top 4-H Members Attend National Conferences

Eleven 4-H members and leaders from Nova Scotia will attend national conferences in Toronto during National 4-H Week, Nov. 6- 10.

"The future of agriculture is dependent upon the interest and skills of today's youth," said Ernest Fage, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. "4-H conferences like these annual meetings help to develop the next generation by allowing young people to discuss the issues surrounding agriculture."

The conferences are hosted by the Canadian 4-H Council, and Nova Scotia participants are sponsored by the Nova Scotia 4-H program.

Sixty delegates from across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom will attend the National 4-H Member Conference. The theme for this conference is Agriculture ... Focus on the Future. Throughout the week, members will participate in educational sessions focusing on agricultural issues.

The Nova Scotia members who won travel awards are: Christy Dagley, Lunenburg County; Chris Vidito, Annapolis County; Martha West, Kings County; Ashley Sharpe, Pictou County; and Megan Rankin and Kyle Beaton, Inverness County.

The National 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Conference, will run concurrently with the 4-H member conference. The theme of this year's leaders' conference is Building the 4-H Team.

Nova Scotians attending the leaders' conference are: Murray Workman, Antigonish County; Allister Palmeter, Kings County; Joan Peterson, Victoria County; and Chella Henderson, Colchester County.

A strong 4-H program depends on informed and enthusiastic leaders, so this conference aims to strengthen their leadership skills and provide an opportunity for an exchange of ideas. Forty outstanding 4-H leaders from across Canada, and several of their American counterparts, will work toward this important goal.

This year the Nova Scotia 4-H program is celebrating 80 years of educating rural youth and strengthening rural communities. Since 1922, 4-H has been in the business of developing well-rounded, responsible citizens -- tomorrow's leaders. In 4-H, young people have opportunities to learn a variety of skills, broaden their interests, meet new people and learn by doing. There are about 2,400 members, 1,000 adult leaders and 100 4-H clubs in Nova Scotia.