While enjoying a 4-H banquet which was planned, organized, emceed and fully managed by 4-H members, the oldest of which was still a teenager; I reminisced and was amazed how these kids who started attending at age six could develop to where they could organize and execute an awards banquet complete with decorations, table centres, lead us in “O Canada” and say grace before supper.
Some could even square dance before they were seven.
Members who excelled in each division were presented trophies as well as those who improved the most through the year. First year members were also recognized and encouraged with certificates. The 4-H motto; “Learn to do by doing” really struck home.
All the clubs (for development of social skills as well as training in everything from cooking, to fitting an animal to show at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto) are training youth to excel in leadership roles in organizations, local councils, large corporations and even countries.
It is difficult for people who were not in Scouts, Brownies, Girl Guides, 4-H clubs, etc. to understand how these clubs that develop social skills and organize their own fun can play a large role in preparing our next generation to be leaders.
Members not only learn how to plan and prepare themselves to complete a prize winning project, give a speech, spend a week away on a trip or in the woods, evaluate the traits of a class of animals and give oral reasons to back up their decisions, but also how to work in a group where people have to depend on each other to complete large projects that one cannot do alone. Youth learn at an early age to freely give and receive constructive criticism.
Today’s population has less than two per cent who are farmers. Likewise, a large percentage of 4-H members did not live on a farm either. From an early age we should learn that all members of society should brush up on social skills and learn to help each other to succeed as a society. Some of our leaders seem to have learned this.
Let’s give our kids a rest from the TV and the smart phone and encourage them to join a club. Taking them to the meetings and volunteering as an assistant leader can be an extremely rewarding experience.
While talking to many company executives they mentioned that when reading job resumé applications, they give very high marks to applicants who mention accomplishments in 4-H.
Being an active member in one of these clubs (4-H) was a key part in me representing agriculture all over the world and even winning the gold medal in Quebec. There are lots of youth out there that are a lot smarter than I was.
Chris Judd is a farmer in Clarendon on land that has been in his family for generations. gladcrest@gmail.com
