UNITY — One of the key teachings that 4-H tries to instill in kids in the program is that there is no reward without work, and as an organization they lead by example.
“We have a mandate to not canvas for fundraising because 4-H is more of a work incentive reward type of program,” says Jarrett Lewin, co-general leader of Unity & District Multiple 4-H Club.
This means the club often relies on grants and gifts from local businesses to help fund their youth programs so when Denzil-area ag retailer Veikle Agro brought ADAMA Canada’s Stomping Grounds program to Lewin’s attention, he jumped at the chance to apply to the program.
“Brett from Viekle thought our program fit exactly with the criteria Stomping Grounds looks for in funding applications,” says Lewin. “When Brett spoke with Gord from ADAMA he agreed and was very supportive of us filling out the application,” says Lewin.
Now in its second year, Stomping Grounds was created by ADAMA Canada with the mandate to invest in local initiatives that support youth, health and connection. In early April, the Unity & District Multiple 4-H Club received word their application was selected for a $2,500 investment from the program.
“The type of life skills 4-H instills in kids, and especially their role in developing the next generation of leaders in agriculture was a perfect fit for Stomping Grounds,” says Gord Hounjet, Area Business Manager for ADAMA Canada. “I especially appreciate how the money will be used now that their application has been approved.”
What Hounjet is referring to is another key teaching of 4-H, where the club’s meetings are run by the kids themselves and decisions like how the grant will be used are voted on by the kids.
“The money is going to allow us to do something a little extra for our members this year. We are going to purchase year end keepsakes for the kids, but exactly what those will be I can’t say,” says Lewin. “The 4- H kids decide everything and right now I don’t know how they are going vote.”
Hounjet smiles when he thinks about how the investment from his company will be used.
“It’s really heartwarming to us at ADAMA that we can be part of a memorable year for these kids, and that the kids are part of the process the whole way though,” he says. “Leadership means putting in the work and reaping the rewards, and I can’t think of a better example of that at work than this.”
ADAMA Canada has been a supplier to the Canadian agricultural community with crop protection products for more than a decade. They offer an innovative approach to agriculture and proactively seek opportunities to listen to what customers, experts and colleagues have to say, taking their input and learning from their experience.
Combing these insights with expertise, new products, solutions, services, tailored commercial policies, or information is passed on which can be relevant to them. They are passionate about agriculture and approach what they do as much more than just a job.
The straightforward, get-it-done attitude helps them focus on what they care about most: helping customers create more sustainable, profitable businesses.
ADAMA is the seventh largest crop protection company globally with sales in 100 countries and has the largest portfolio of any company with over 270 active ingredients.
