Ottawa, Ontario, May 30, 2013 – One of the country’s longest-running and most respected youth organizations, 4-H Canada, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this week. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz brought congratulatory greetings on behalf the Harper Government at the 4-H “Food for Thought” Gala celebration in Winnipeg.
“I congratulate 4-H Canada on one-hundred years of hard work in growing the farm leaders of tomorrow,” said Minister Ritz. “Our government understands the important role young farmers play in Canada’s agriculture industry, and we will continue to support the work of 4-H to help them cultivate another century of success.”
The Government of Canada has been a supporter of 4-H Canada for over 78 years. As part of the 100th year celebrations, 4-H is looking toward the future while highlighting the importance of youth as leaders in feeding the world.
Under Growing Forward 2, a federal, provincial, and territorial agreement, governments are making a $3–billion investment in strategic initiatives in innovation, competitiveness, and market development in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. This includes a continued investment in supporting new and beginning farmers, as well as our 4-H partners.
First created in Roland, Manitoba, in 1913, 4-H began as the Boys and Girls Club. That same year, seven other clubs were formed and soon had 470 members. Today, 4-H is an international youth organization involving more than seven million members in 80 countries.
Later this year, 4-H will be celebrating with delegates from over 20 countries in the Feeding a Hungry Planet Youth Ag-Summit in Calgary. The goal of the Summit is to generate ideas and solutions—from the very youth who will be tomorrow’s farmers—to feed the world’s hungry.
For more information regarding 4-H Canada’s 100th Anniversary celebrations across Canada, please visit www.4-h-canada.ca.
For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Jeff English
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059
