Making A Difference by Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders

In 1993 I was selected to take part in what was then the RBC 4–H Canada Interprovincial Exchange Program and in a serendipitous twist of fate, found myself travelling to Quebec instead of Nova Scotia when another member had to back out of the trip.

Before that trip, I didn’t realize 4–H had its roots in agriculture, take that in for a second. Growing up in a tiny outport community in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, clubs like my Tremendous Trio Club of King’s Cove specialized in crafts, cooking, dancing, woodworking, and other non–agriculture skills. As a 16–year–old who had only seen cows at a distance, you can imagine my culture shock waking–up for chores on a dairy farm in Quebec’s Eastern Townships that first morning!

As fate would have it, my host was a young 4-H leader who had recently become a staffer at the Quebec 4-H Council based at McDonald College in Laval. This meant that I got to split my trip between rural Quebec and the bright lights and big city life of Montréal!

On weekends I travelled with my host, Sylvie, to the Richmond and Bedford Fairs, took part in cattle shows, and shadowed her as she carried out her work duties representing 4–H Quebec – it was an eye–opener!

I left Montréal with Sass Jordan’s Goin’ Back Again playing in my head, and a newfound understanding for the variety of skills development and opportunities available to youth through the 4–H movement. When I did ‘go back again’ a few years later to begin my career – this time to Ottawa –one of the first places I applied for work was at 4–H Canada. The timing wasn’t right just then, and I had a lot of work experience to gain, but I was committed to non–profit, and determined to one day work for 4–H.

Thirty years later, now in my second year as a 4–H Canada staffer, I have a firsthand opportunity to witness how the 4–H movement in Canada positively impacts the lives of youth from coast-to-coast-tocoast. 4–H gives youth members access to hands–on learning, personal development, and opportunities to take part in national events like the 4–H Canada Science Fair (which feeds into the Canada–Wide Science Fair), Citizenship Congress, and Members Forum. 4–H is helping youth members become the leaders of tomorrow through scholarships for post–secondary education in our four Leadership Development Pillars:

Community Engagement & Communications, Science & Technology, Environment & Healthy Living, and of course, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security.

Each time I speak with a 4–H’er, whether it’s a club leader, provincial supervisor, a member of our Youth Advisory Committee, or a 4–H youth member, I think back to my own time in 4–H and I am reminded of the impact my 4–H leaders had on my development. It’s a big responsibility and one for which our volunteer leaders deserve our admiration and recognition. As a first–hand beneficiary of the commitment put forth by 4–H leaders, I look at the position I have today as an opportunity to pay tribute to them and pay it forward to our next generation of leaders.

Until next time,

Lori Barron Director of Marketing, 4–H Canada

4–H Newfoundland and Labrador Alumna