If you grew up in rural Canada you are likely well aware of 4-H, with a rather good chance you have been involved with the organization at some point.
That is not really surprising since 4-H is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
For the past century the organization has been serving youth, starting with the founding club in Roland, MB.
Over the decades 4-H has focused on rural youth, although showing an ability to adapt to change, 4-H clubs are now found in many urban settings as well.
While we look at 4-H as traditionally providing youth with the opportunity to learn at cattle, horses, sheep and hogs, projects which speak to the organization's rural roots, today youth are also learning about cooking, computers and cameras.
Youth can now pick projects which are of particular interest to them, and as long as they can find a project leader to help mentor their progress, they can explore things that are now a far cry from livestock production on the farm.
The reasoning for broadening the scope of 4-H is obviously one fueled by a desire at preserving what is at the heart of the program.
In the past serving rural youth was enough. There were clubs in almost every small community, with lots of farm youth interested in working with cattle, horses and other livestock.
Of course we have seen a significant population shift from the war years until now, one where the rural population is in decline, with a shift to larger urban centres.
For 4-H to function in a city such as Yorkton, or Regina, means adapting programming because having a steer or sheep as your project simply doesn't work.
The heart of 4-H is not about the project though. Whether it's raising a steer, or learning to knit, the key to 4-H comes in its long-held motto 'learn to do by doing'.
Youth are encouraged to discover on their own. They learn by watching and by working with others. They are helped to grow, not just about their project, but about keeping records, speaking in public, and working to help others in their club.
They are skills which go beyond growing a good steer, or knitting a good pair of socks. They are life skills those going through the 4-H program will be able to draw on in their education and once they enter the workforce.
The key to 4-H, the element which has helped the program flourish for a century is teaching life skills to generation after generation of Canadians, and hopefully it will remain active in that role for decades to come.
