A Bit About Our Program

4-H in Cape Breton has deep roots. It is home to the longest continuous running 4-H club in Canada -- the Grand Mira Club in Cape Breton County.

Currently there are 4-H clubs in all four counties. There are 7 clubs in Inverness County, 3 in Richmond County, 1 in Victoria County and 5 in Cape Breton County.

Youth between 9 and 21 years of age are able to participate in the program. As well, adult volunteers lend their time, effort, support and expertise to project work and organization within the community clubs.

There is also a cloverbud program in some clubs. This is for 7 and 8 year olds and it enables them to learn about the 4-H program and try some of the projects.

Where Are The Clubs?

Inverness County

	Brook Village Achievers 4-H Club	-
	Scotsville Lakers 4-H Club	-
	Southwest Mabou 4-H Club	-
	Port Hood Islandview 4-H Club	-
	Green Point 4-H Club	- Mabou Harbour
	Margaree 4-H Club	- Margaree
	Judique 4-H Club	- Judique

Victoria County

	Baddeck Valley 4-H Club	-

Cape Breton County

	Arm of Gold 4-H Club	- Ross Ferry
	Northside 4-H Club	-
	Grand Mira 4-H Club	-
	Rising Sun 4-H Club	- Donkin to Marion Bridge
	Twin Lighthouse 4-H Club	- Pt. Edward

Richmond County

	River Bourgeois 4-H Club	-
	Lakeside 4-H Club	- St. Peters
	County Line 4-H Club	- West Bay / Dundee

What Goes On Besides Project Work?

Clubs usually organize in the fall of the year - between October and December. Many clubs have fun days, winter carnivals, ski days and skating parties.

Regionally there are clinics on judging and project work as well as on a variety of topics from teamwork, to self- esteem, to quilting. In the spring there are public speaking and demonstration runoffs and Achievement Days throughout the summer. There are also opportunities for scholarships and displaying project work at local and provincial exhibitions and shows.

Events like Provincial 4-H Weekend, EBI Beef & Dairy Showcase, the Royal Winter Fair, Agribition and Camp Rankin make for additional fun and learning.

When & Where Are 4-H Projects Displayed?

4-H projects are displayed and judged at local Achievement Days. In Richmond County the 4-H Show is held in early June at Camp Rankin. In Cape Breton County 4-H exhibit in mid August at the Cape Breton County Exhibition. In Inverness, 4-H Day is held in late August at Brook Village Hall. In Victoria County, 4-H Day is held in conjunction with the Baddeck Community Fair at the Baddeck Forks Hall in September.

--- Upcoming Workshops ---

4-H 2008 : 4-H A STEP TO THE FUTURE

The 2008 4-H year is starting out with a bang, with lots of local, regional and provincial events to keep 4-Her’s on their toes. Many clubs are preparing for a full year of project work, community activities and just plain fun. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome a
new club to our Cape Breton region. Verna Johnson will be the general leader of a new club in Glace Bay with membership taking first aid, horse, cake decorating and Exploring 4-H. On behalf of the 4-H community, we would like to welcome you and look forward to seeing your club at our local and regional events. Here are a few things on the go for our 4-H
communities.

4-H WEB SITE - GREAT PLACE TO VISIT

4-H leaders, members and families are encouraged to visit the 4-H web site for all sorts of great information. Our provincial web site has loads of information on general questions about starting a 4-H club, 4-H around the province, leader and member resources including project newsletter, provincial workshops and much, much, more! You can find the provincial 4- H web site at www.gov.ns.ca/agri/4h/ . Our national web site, through Canadian 4-H council, offers various resource materials, national scholarship, program grants, funding and links to all that is 4-H on a national level. This site has something for everyone, especially our senior members.
You can visit the site at www.4-h-canada.ca/ .

CHOCOLATE CAMPAIGN 2008 - PROVINCIAL FUND RAISER

As decided at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Nova Scotia 4-H Council, Nova Scotia 4-Her’s are once again holding a chocolate fund raiser. This year we will be selling World’s Finest Chocolate Variety Pack: Chocolate Collection (variety case of 25 bars contains the almond bar, caramel bar, crisp bar and the milk bar). The campaign will run from March 3 - 31, 2008. The
County deadline to have your orders and delivery instructions to your 4-H specialist is January 31, 2008 by noon or earlier if possible. The bars sell for $2 each. All money/prize tickets, etc. must be in from clubs and counties to regional representatives by April 11, 2008. Money is due to the provincial 4-H office from your 4-H specialist’s by April 15, 2008.

GENERAL LEADER KIT

General club leaders will receive a binder in January from the Provincial 4-H office. This binder
includes information and forms pertinent to all 4-H members, such as scholarship forms, applications to Camp Rankin and 4-H weekend, a video list, rules and regulations for
various competitions, etc. This information is also available on the 4-H web site at:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/4h/

NEW LEADER TRAINING

“Welcome to the 4-H Team” is a workshop that introduces 4-H to our new leaders. As part of the volunteer screening process, all new leaders must attend a training session. Four sessions will be offered in 2008. Leaders are free to attend any session. During these sessions you will be given information on the 4-H program, the leader screening process, and what resources and support systems are available to leaders. This session is compulsory and is an excellent opportunity to ask any questions you have regarding the program. The dates for the New Leader Training Sessions are included.

MARITIME DAIRY INDUSTRY AWARD

Various partners of the maritime dairy industry have established the Maritime Dairy Industry awards in order to support the academic efforts of students committed to secure the future of a successful dairy industry. Two $2000 scholarships will be awarded. The criteria for applicants is as follows:
• Resident of either N.S. or N.B. or P.E.I (minimum of 24 months prior to post-secondary studies).
• Currently attending a postsecondary education institution within Canada.
• Completed at least two years of post-secondary education and currently enrolled in a program
that has application to the dairy industry.
• Applicant must show professional and academic promise and a commitment and interest in the dairy industry.
• Applicant must complete the application form, include an updated resume, a one-page letter
stating their commitment and interest in the dairy industry, an official transcript of marks for two completed years in post-secondary education and have three reference letters (at least one from a professor) sent to the Scholarship Committee.

Completed applications must be received by the Maritime Dairy Industry Scholarship Committee in care of Dairy Farmers of Canada no later than January 31, 2008.

Scholarship applications may be downloaded at www.dairygoodness.ca or are available from your Regional 4-H Specialist. Please note that past recipients are ineligible to apply. Cash awards will be issued to successful candidates in September, 2008.

DATES TO MARK ON THE CALENDAR

Feel free to contact us if you have any concerns or questions you would like to address. We can be reached through the Mabou office at 902-945-2901 (Rhonda) or the Sydney office 902-563-2001 (Marina). Our email addresses are: gillisma@gov.ns.ca or macdourm@gov.ns.ca

4-H Christmas Greeting

It’s the time of year for greetings, for carols, and for good cheer,
T’is the season for reflecting, and for welcoming a new year.

It was 35 years of Camp Rankin, and the thirtieth 4-H Show,
working together for 85 years, to help rural communities grow.

Learn to do by doing the way of 4-H since 1922,
pledging head, heart, hands and health
- for that’s what 4-Hers do.

They’ve learned to tack a horse, wash a duck, & to decorate a cake;
to prep an onion, clip a calf, to model, to judge and to bake.

They’ve learned to speak in public, can make a motion, and can adjourn;
sanding, staining, welding and showing, by doing, they have learned.

They’ve learned to be a leader, and to be part of the team,
learned to set a goal, to work hard, and to realize a dream.

They’ve had the help of leaders, of 4-H staff, sponsors, and parents too;
for all that they have learned, - it was because of you!

For having time and patience, and always a hand to lend,
for acting as a parent, a teacher, a mentor and a friend.

Christmas wishes are sent your way for a season of peace and joy;
may you always know you’ve made a difference to a 4-H girl or boy!

from Rhonda MacDougall, Marina Gillis & Cheryl Chandler
Cape Breton Region

Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas

Come see what 4-H in Cape Breton has to offer you - contact your local N.S. Department of Agriculture today!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the 4-H office in Sydney, at 563-2000 (phone); 563-3435 (fax); or Mabou at 945-2901 (phone); 945-2858 (fax).

The office mailing addresses are:

Sydney: 303-320 Esplanade
Sydney, NS B1P 7B9

Mabou: P. O. Box 70, Main Street
Mabou, NS B0E 1X0

You can also drop a line by email at macdourm@gov.ns.ca. or gillisma@gov.ns.ca

Rhonda MacDougall and Marina Gillis