It is also Ag. Days here in Manitoba and Brandon was the home to big news, the kick to the count down to the 100th Anniversary! This means that 4-H is turning 100 years young next year, and I know I can’t wait to see what at least part of the next hundred years will bring.

I said that I would talk about City Survival and here it is:

The Manitoba 4-H Ambassador program runs City Survival every late January, early February, in Winnipeg. City Survival is designed to allow rural high school students the opportunity to see what university or college life is like in the city. Members get to try out a city scavenger hunt, having to find their way around the city, spend time in residence, learn how to budget for meals, what type of student-priced entertainment is out there and learn about resumes and interviews. The weekend is a lot of fun, since if the weather is nice it involves skating, learning to navigate the University of Manitoba campus, tours of any campuses that the members are interested in, as well as lots of games and 4-H songs. Overall the weekend in a ton of fun and really helpful to students as they get to try out university life, without the homework of course, giving them the chance to decide if university is right for them.

The Manitoba 4-H Ambassadors host the entire weekend, as well as plan all of the events. This gives Ambassadors the chance to step up to the plate as well, having the opportunity to plan and help run an event that is beyond just their club.

Well, I guess I should sign off for now, just have to say only 347 days until 2013 and 4-H’s 100th anniversary.

Merry Christmas everybody, and have a great New Year.

After an hour bus ride to the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre members were treated to outstanding sessions about the development of drought-resistant genes in plants, asked to partake in an official taste-testing on two different varieties of apples and learning about how cultural changes in what we eat are leading to new and exciting production opportunities for producers and consumers alike.

The afternoon saw 4-Hers head back into the heart of the downtown Toronto where a visit to TD Bank Financial Group was in order. When the elevator stopped on floor 54, the view was absolutely breathtaking. Built in 1967, the TD Financial Building is literally a work of art – featuring an outstanding collection of Inuit paintings. There was also the announcement of 10 TD 4-H Agriculture Scholarships – it just so happened that four of these recipients were on hand to receive the official handshakes from Craig Bremner – VP of Agriculture Services. Congratulations to Lori Hart, Morgan McNeil, Erin Kehoe and Erica Friesen!

Back at the hotel the night was topped off with a presentation and discussion from Peter Schiefke – National Manager, The Climate Project Canada. Eye-opening and informative were a couple of the comments received from attendees.

Day 4 promises more of the same great sessions – stay tuned!

- Media and News Committee

Afterwards, members sat in on a variety of “discovery sessions and presentations” delivered by a number of speakers representing several different organizations. Session topics ranged from robotics, to bio-security, to learning techniques.

An adventurous afternoon saw the group head down the 401 to the University of Guelph where they were greeted by Dr. Alex Smith. Dr. Smith, studies insect species and spoke about the staggering magnitude of unknown species on our planet and the methods which are used to catalogue them.

We then hiked over to test some high-tech John Deere tractors. They even let the delegates drive them! The technology available to producers today is truly staggering.

The day was topped off with a visit to Rogers Centre to watch a CFL game between the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger Cats. The home team won so the crowd left happy. Thank you to the Argonauts for the hospitality.

A great day and tomorrow promises more of the same!

- Media and News Committee

After settling in and getting to know other 4-Hers, conference participants enjoyed a delicious supper before welcoming the keynote speaker for the evening – Jasmin Hoffer. Ms. Hofer, a true entrepreneur, founded and is CEO of Energrow Inc., a company that designs and manufactures farm scale oilseed pressing systems. She used her own personal experiences to convey a valuable and inspirational message of “learn by doing” to all conference-goers.

Committee meetings and some social time wrapped up the first day’s proceedings with everyone excited for tomorrow’s agenda.

- Media and News Committee

Québec-Centre: Patricia Auger, Lydia Auger, Anne-Marie Auger, Frédéric Marcoux, Roxanne Montplaisir et Maxime Montplaisir.

Québec Sud-Est: Annette Santschi et Cindy Jaton

Nous souhaitons beaucoup de succès à tous ces membres !

L’AJRQ se prépare également pour l’AJRQ-Génie qui se déroulera le 4-5 février dans la région de Montmagny, les cercles hôtes sont les CJR Du Kamouraska , CJR De Rivière-Ouelle et de Bellechasse-Montmagny. Il s’agit d’un activité de type Génie en Herbe. Deux fermes de la région seront également visitées la journée du dimanche. Par la suite, l’Assemblée Générale se déroulera en Mars et sera organisée par le CJR Vaudreuil-Soulange. Les 2 personnalités de l’AJRQ ainsi que les Tout-Québec y seront dévoilés!

Guess what? It’s October, and October is my favorite month!  No, it’s not becuase of Thanksgiving and pumpkin pie (although now being a universtiy student that is pretty nice) and it’s not becuase Halloween is just around the corner, it’s becuase the 4-H year is just getting rolling (at least here in SK).  4-H registration starts about the same time as school, and although it is great that we are starting we don’t really do a whole lot until October.  For those of you that haven’t already started (and are old enough) it’s a great time to start looking at national 4-H trips and start applying for the ones that you would be interested in.  Trust me, they are A LOT of fun!  It’s always good to work on your record book all year round as well, although most of us don’t feel like we have time to do our record book right now i would reccomend everyone get a head start anyways becuase finishing the night before achievement day is never a good idea.  Judging competitions are often starting up around now as well as lots of scholarship opportunities for senior members. 

Everyone remember to wear green for National 4-H day on November 2nd. 

Keep your eyes and ears peeled for more 4-H events and more YAC blogging.

Have a SPOOKtacular October !

This summer went by very fast. With the warm weather we had down here – almost no days of rain – it was a fabulous summer for outdooring and tourism… but a uncertain summer for farming. I have been very busy because I have 2 jobs this summer, one in an archeological site near my house and in a restaurant. I have been busy, but I like it that way!

August is a nice month. Not only my birthday is in August, but it is the last month of summer and everyone seems to be excited and enjoying the last days before we are all back to school. Speaking of which, I will be, in 2 weeks, a University student. Does that make me old? Anyhow, I am going into Université Laval (in Québec city), because I want to become a teacher! Yes, it’s far away from farming.

My 4-H summer wasn’t very busy because – and it’s a shame, really – I didn’t complete a project. Although, I was busy organizing this new exciting program with my partner Kim Hooey, Ontario YAC representative. We are on the National Conference planning committee (Science and Technology Symposium), which will take place in Toronto next November. I think Kim and I are positive elements ont the committee and we are looking forward to make it happen. I also made promotion of national activities at our provincial event – the Rally – last July. My club’s achievement day went by very well, as usual, and our local fair too. We sold ice cream, as a fundraiser, and people were very generous. If you are looking for a good fundraising activity, ice cream booth is VERY lucrative (especially on hot, humid, days like we had!).

I will write another post before the end of this summer, directly for Québec city! I am moving in this wonderful city this Saturday (August 27th) and I will let you guys know how’s life in Québec city!

Prenez soins de vous et profitez bien des derniers jours de l’été!
Charles Gascon – Québec YAC representative

I’ve spent another week at Camp Rankin and we are really getting into the swing of things! It was a wet and cold week but that didn’t stop us from enjoying camp and the fun it offers members. I thought I’d tell you all about a few of the activities members can enjoy during their stay.

The eagle’s nest hike is definitely a favorite camp activity. On Monday afternoon campers head out for a hike down the road and through a river. Following a trail through the woods members get to cool off by splashing through the river that serves as part of the trail, eventually reaching a swimming hole where supper is served. Hot dogs and marshmallows roasted over campfires make the hike complete – no camp experience would be complete without it!

Another favorite is the game dragontails played at the canoe pond. After learning about different strokes to control their canoes, members try to steal pool noodles hanging out of the back of their crafts. The canoe with the most noodles (or dragontails) at the end of the game wins. Lots of splashing ensues; as well as creative strategies such as stealing paddles. Not to worry though – the pond has an area marked by buoys and no canoe gets left stranded.

Other activities members participate in at camp include raising and breaking flags, evening campfires on the beach, minute to win it games, a counsellor hunt, recreation, crafts, nature and 4-H sessions, cooking tinfoil meals, and a final banquet and dance.

Of course camp wouldn’t exist without all of the volunteers that make it happen; along with the camp staff there are many hands that maintain the camp and make it possible. Just like the rest of the 4-H program volunteers are a key part to its success, and we thank them for all of their help and support.

That’s all from me for now; stay tuned for more about camp and enjoy your summers!