4-H Members "Live Life Large" at Provincial Conference

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--4-H Members "Live Life Large" at Provincial Conference

Nova Scotia teens will be "Livin' Life Large" as they gather at the Agri-Tech Park in Bible Hill Saturday, Feb. 5 and Sunday, Feb. 6 for a two-day conference.

The Nova Scotia 4-H Intermediate Conference -- entitled Livin' Life Large -- will show 13- to 15-year-olds the skills they need to keep their life in balance while being successful personally and professionally.

Sixty 4-H members from across the province will take part in fun and educational sessions that will encourage them to set and reach their goals, conquer stress with humour, and exhibit good sportsmanship. Delegates will also participate in workshops at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, enjoy various recreational activities and develop lasting friendships.

"The 4-H program is proactive in training our youth to be leaders in rural communities by teaching them about responsibility, building self esteem, and developing communication skills," said Chris d'Entremont, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. "This conference is an excellent avenue for teaching all of these skills and building a strong future for the members."

Speakers will address several key issues at the conference. Chet MacPhail will discuss expectations in life while keeping things balanced in a busy world. Jonathon Crouse, a former 4-H member who is now a radio broadcaster, will talk about the art of communication and how the 4-H program contributed to his career. Tyler Hayden, of Adventure Wave Consultants, will take the 4-H members through the Gladiator Olympics, a recreation session that will entertain, enlighten and enable them to work well in teams while having fun. Rhonda MacDougall and Jack Thomson, Outstanding Young Farmers of Canada, will walk the delegates through life on their farm and how they have achieved success in their careers. Athletes from the Esteem Team will discuss setting goals and good sportsmanship with the participants in the closing address.

"We are pleased to offer such an exciting conference for Nova Scotia 4-H members," said Liz Crouse, the province's manager for 4-H and rural organizations. "Through entertaining and educational conference sessions we hope the 4-H members will see their future as a world of opportunity and that they will apply the skills they've learned throughout their lifetime."

Sponsors of the conference are the Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, Agri-food Industry Development Fund, Canadian 4-H Council Renewal Opportunities Program, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Nova Scotia 4-H Council, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Chicken Farmers of Canada, Dairy Farmers of Canada, Nova Scotia Farm Health and Safety Committee, and the Nova Scotia Agricultural Awareness Committee.