Following programming by the federal government, 4-H Canada, through agricultural communications partner AdFarm, has launched a fundraising initiative to raise $1 million.
According to 4-H Canada Foundation chairman Ben Graham, the goal of the fundraising effort, Tomorrow needs 4-H, is to make the program sustainable for years to come.
Graham notes that due to "drastic funding cuts" of around 65 per cent, the foundation decided it "better do something to put the money back."
"It's very damaging to the groups relying on the funding," said Graham.
Graham cites a higher-than-usual demand on the usual pool of money that 4-H usually draws from for the cuts; the federal government reduced everyone's allocations to ensure that all groups got funding.
Complicating issues was the time it took the government to notify 4-H of the funding cuts; the program wasn't notified until June about cuts. By then, Graham said that budgets had already been completed and some money had already been spent.
"That was a bit of a challenge," said Graham.
Graham says that the long-term support of 4-H, at all levels is important due to the skills it teaches Canada's youth.
"They've been taught structure," said Graham.
"They've been taught how to chair meetings. They've been taught record keeping."
Graham notes that many successful people acknowledge 4-H as establishing the foundation for their success and that the program benefits not just individuals but the country as a whole.
Part of the goal behind the fundraising initiative is letting Canadians know the importance of 4-H and what it offers youth, says Graham.
4-H has national, provincial, and local levels.
According to Graham, the national level, 4-H Canada, is responsible for branding, maintaining program insurance, and leadership programming, among other things, and the foundation provides the funding.
The provincial level is again split into a foundation, which provides funding for operations, and a council, which manages budgets and programming.
Under the province is the local programs, which set their own budgets and do fundraising, such as bottle drives, to augment program funds. Local programs get their record books and other documentation from the provincial 4-H council.
According to AdFarm, as of Dec. 31. 2023, Alberta had 272 4-H clubs across the province and 5,725 youth members operating under 3,212 volunteer leaders.
Across Canada, there are just over 19,000 4-H youth members.
Graham says that the fundraising initiative will be running "as long as there is momentum."
"(4-H) really does have an impact," said Graham.
Farm Credit Canada has committed to matching $50,000 in donations to get the initiative started.
For more information, or to donate to the initiative, head to tomorrowneeds4h.ca online.
4-H began over 100 years ago in Manitoba.
