leadership - 4-H Ontario

WINTER 

2011 

LEADERSHIP 

In Action 

volume 11 / issue 04 

official publication of 4-H Ontario 

INTRODUCING BENNETT 

and his best 4-H friend Cinnamon 

pg. 16 

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LEADERSHIP 

In Action 


Leadership In Action is distributed 

four times a year by 4-H Ontario. 

Issue dates are January (Special 

Edition), April (Spring), August (Fall) 

and December (Winter). 

Reproduction in whole, or in part, 

is forbidden without the written 

permission of 4-H Ontario. 

Copy deadlines: 

Dec. 10, Mar. 10, Jul. 10, Nov. 10 

Editor: Stephanie Craig 

Copy-editor: Nikki Kross 

Cover photo: Marianne Fallis 

Editorial correspondence 

and subscription information: 

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4-H ONTARIO STAFF 

LEADERSHIP 

Executive Director •Wraychel Horne 

SUPPORT 

Executive Assistant •Patricia Hass 

Office Assistant • Cindy Byers 

PROGRAMMING 

Sr. Mgr., Programming • Marianne Fallis 

Coordinator, Programming & Events • position open 

Coordinator, Programming & Resources• position open 

Coordinator, Sen$e Programs • Andrew Campbell 

COMMUNICATIONS 

Sr. Mgr., Communications •Stephanie Craig 

Coordinator, Communications • Nikki Kross 

Coordinator, Alumni Services • Lois James 

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT 

Manager, Volunteer Support & Development • 

Michel Corriveau 

Coordinators, Volunteer Support 

Region 1 & First Nations Outreach • Matt Hill 

Region 2 • Lola McEvoy 

Region 3 • Megan Burnside 

Region 4 • Faith Kirk 

Region 5 & 6 • Todd Stewart 

Coordinator, Database • position open 

winter 2011 / volume 11 / issue 04 

CONTENTS 

FEATURES 

10 A Full Circle Story 

A Rainy River 4-H Volunteer 

continues her contribution 

11 Need A Vet 

This keen 4-H’r has a spot in the 

highly competitive Ontario Vet 

College 

12 Taking Home Gold 

Halton 4-H team wins provincial 

competition 

13 Serving Ontario Agriculture 

Ken Knox’s 4-H story 

14 Meet Bennett Howell 

A Rabbit Club Member who’s making 

leaps and bounds 

16 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Insert 

Results from the 2011 youth shows 

and competitions 

IN EVERY ISSUE 

4 Ask A Volunteer 

4 Ask A 4-H Ontario Ambassador 

5 In Brief • Local Stories 

7 In Brief • Provincial Stories 

20 Scrapbook 

21 In Action Activity 

22 President’s Message 

23 Chair’s Message 

14. 

13. 

12. 

FINANCE 

Sr. Mgr., Advancement & Development • Andrew Moore 

Sr. Mgr., Human Resources & Finance • Doris Curran 

Coordinator, Finance • Trisha Lefler 

We gratefully acknowledge the support of 

toward the Leadership In Action 

magazine annual communication series. 

EDITORIAL 

Reflection is an important part of the “Learn To Do By Doing” process. It is with 

refection on your successes and your mistakes that helps you learn. You need to 

determine what went well and what could have gone better. Then you move forward. 

The Prince Edward 4-H Association reflected on their previous Milk Shake Booths to 

decide on the design of their new Milk Shake Booth. Lindsay Oxby reflects on how her 

4-H Clubs helped her get into one of the hardest Veterinary schools in Canada. Ken 

Knox, a 4-H Alumni, reflects on his goals regularly to ensure success. Reflection is 

also a timely topic as 2011 comes to a close. Take a moment to reflect on what you’ve 

learned this year and how your actions speak to your character. Chances are, if you 

are a past or present 4-H’r, your actions have been ones of contribution. 

Leadership In Action • Winter 2011 3

ASK A VOLUNTEER 

by Paulette Macdonald 

Our Club is running 

well, but I have one 

or two Members that 

are new and shy. They like the 

Club but don’t participate or 

contribute as much as the others. 

Any suggestions as to how to get 

this Member more engaged in 

the Club - Region 5 Volunteer 

Dear Region 5 Volunteer, 

As 4-H Leaders we are blessed to meet 

a wide variety of youth at our meetings, 

at 4-H events, or other opportunities. It 

is true that sometimes we know all the Members are having a great time 

yet there can be one or two who just don’t seem to respond, or engage, the 

same way the others do. This can leave us at a loss for ideas. 

It is important to note whether the Member is shy because that is their 

character or whether they are shy because of the task at hand. Keep in mind 

that sometimes we, as Leaders, assume they are shy because we compare 

them to Members we have known in the past. We can also be quick to label 

the situation as ‘a problem’ where in reality it’s not a problem at all. It is an 

invitation to get to know a young person better! 

Here are a few suggestions that come from an experienced Leader and a 

couple of shy Members I talked to: 

• Take time to get to know the Member as an individual first. 

• Give them compliments and positive reinforcement. 

• Using peer partnering to let Members teach each other works wonders 

for new or shy Members. TIP: Ask Members who are good at welcoming 

others to be the club ambassadors. 

• Each Member learns through a different teaching method. TIP: Use 

variety at your meetings. 

• Social recreation is an important aspect of every 4-H meeting; it 

integrates Members and builds self-confidence. TIP: Have a getacquainted 

activity at the beginning of each meeting and a social rec. 

game at the end. 

These ideas work! One of the Members I interviewed also mentioned that 

what she wants at times is to be accepted as a shy person and to allow her 

to get involved on her own when she is ready. Just because they are shy 

doesn’t mean they are not just as interested as the others. Thanks for the 

question! Obviously, you are a dedicated Leader who wants to learn more 

and do the very best for your Members! 

“I’ve thought about 

applying to be an 

Ambassador but 

want more details. Can 

you explain the role more 

- Leslie, Temiskaming 4-H Member 

Hi Leslie! 

The 4-H Ontario Ambassador role 

is one that requires a lot of energy, 

enthusiasm and dedication but also 

comes with huge rewards! The job 

allows you to travel all over the 

province, attending 4-H events and 

speaking to lots of different people! 

My favourite ‘adventures’, as I call 

each Ambassador event I attend, 

include facilitating at NOOLA, 

helping at two P.L.A.Y events and 

going to fairs in the summer! The 

most exciting part for me is the 

people. I’ve made friends from 

almost every county in Ontario, but 

only because I got to travel so much 

as a 4-H Ontario Ambassador! I 

hope that I inspired you to apply! 

The 4-H Ontario Ambassador 

program is proudly sponsored by 

GROWMARK, Inc. and UPI Energy LP. 

Paulette Macdonald is the contributing Volunteer writer for this column, and is a 12 year Sudbury 

4-H Volunteer. Got a question! Submit it to communications@4-hontario.ca 

Leadership In Action • Winter 2011

IN BRIEF 

local stories 

Rebuilding the Past 

Submitted by Tom Aitken and Bob Walker 

The Glencoe 4-H Machinery Club 

was created in 2005 to provide senior 

4-H Members the opportunity to work 

on, and restore, old machinery. Old 

machinery is quite expensive, so 

acquiring enough funds to support the 

Club’s mission was a tricky challenge. 

In 2008 the Club had a big break when 

the Estate of John and Mac McCallum 

generously donated the proceeds 

attained from auctioning off a John 

Deere Model 60 tractor. The tractor 

sold for $5000 and this provided the 

Club enough funds to purchase parts 

for a John Deere 1941 H that was laid 

out and waiting to be rebuilt. 

The Club began rebuilding the tractor 

in 2009 with a completion goal of 

2010. As you can imagine, this project 

had many hurdles to overcome and 

it did not go as quickly as planned. 

Club Members and Leaders spent 

numerous hours working on the tractor 

outside of the two and a half hour Club 

meetings they had each week. Many 

local tractor lovers also donated their 

time to help the Club complete the 

project. 

The time this dynamic group 

spent together was enjoyed by all. 

There was always plenty of great 

conversation with many outbursts 

of laughter. Food was always a 

requirement and was consumed with 

few signs of etiquette and nearly clean 

hands. It was enjoyable to sit back and 

watch as these young men stepped 

back in time to work on machinery 

their fathers were exposed to as 

teenagers. 

The tractor was finally completed this 

summer. Members proudly displayed 

the tractor at the Melbourne Fair 

Parade and the Glencoe Fair. At the 

Melbourne Parade, the Club was 

awarded first prize for Best Antique 

Tractor and Best Restored Tractor. 

The Club project was wrapped up 

by raffling off the tractor at the Red 

Brand Show. Robert Holden from 

Lakeside in Oxford County, an avid 

Massey Ferguson collector, was the 

lucky winner. The Club Members and 

Leaders would like to thank everyone 

who was involved in the project for all 

of their support. 

Tom Aitken and Bob Walker are Leaders of the 

Glencoe 4-H Machinery Club in the Middlesex 

4-H Association. 

Mayor’s Office 

Submitted by Marielle Sauriol 

On November 2nd the Sudbury 4-H 

Club went to the mayor’s office at Tom 

Davies Square. The Club got to meet 

the Deputy Mayor, Joscelyne Landry- 

Altmann. The event started with the 

Club Members introducing themselves 

to the Deputy Mayor and telling her 

about their favourite projects. Paulette 

Macdonald, one of the Club’s 4-H 

Leaders, started this momentous 

occasion by talking about the purpose 

of the 4-H program, and how it started 

in Sudbury. The Members and 

guests then recited the 4-H pledge. 

After the pledge, the Deputy Mayor 

read a proclamation, in French and 

in English, declaring November 2nd, 

National “Show Your 4-H Colours” 

Day in the Greater City of Sudbury. 

Club Members, parents and officials 

then went outside to raise the National 

4-H Flag. Shannyn, the Club’s Vice 

President; Mélanie, the President; and 

the junior Members hoisted the flag 

together. It was a very pleasant day! 

The Glencoe 4-H Machinery Club proudly poses with the 1941 John Deere they restored over the 

past two years. From left to right: Back - Lloyd Smith, Mike Aarts, Leader Bob Walker, Robert May, 

Leader Tom Aitken; In the driver’s seat - Stuart May; Front - Nathan Aitken, Brad Skinner and Daniel 

Roeland. Absent from the photo is Member John McNeil. 

Leadership In Action • Winter 2011 

Marielle Sauriol is a Junior 4-H Member of the 

Sudbury Clever Clovers 4-H Club and holds the 

position of News Reporter. 

5

4-H Grown Giants 

Submitted by Dorothy Shier 

There were a whopping 153 entries 

exhibiting in 22 different categories 

at the Pefferlaw Peat Products Inc. 

4-H Achievement and Open House. 

4-H Members and Georgina-Brock 

youth came together on September 

25th for a record breaking day. Two 

4-H Garden Club Members broke 

records. The Tallest Corn at 18’4’’ was 

grown by Katelynn Crawford beating 

the 17’record. The tallest Sunflower at 

15’ 91/2” was grown by Daniel Shier 

breaking the record of 12’ 31/2“. This 

year was the first we had Heaviest 

Squash, Heaviest Marrow, Heaviest 

Field Pumpkin, and Longest Gourd. 

The Achievement Day was a great 

success showing all the hard 4-H work 

done during this growing season. 

Dorothy Shier is a 30+ year Durham West 4-H 

Volunteer. See photos of the Club on page 20. 

Lanark 4-H’rs Visit Alberta 

Submitted by Jessica Savard 

Over the course of the summer, 15 

4-H Members and two chaperones 

from Lanark 4-H participated in 

an exchange with the Ponoka and 

Rimbey Alberta 4-H Beef Clubs. 

We went to Alberta from July 9 - 17. 

Our “twins” showed us around the 

West Edmonton Mall and Drumheller. 

In Drumheller, we climbed the World’s 

Largest Dinosaur, visited The Royal 

Tyrell Museum and the Little Church. 

We also spent a full day at the Calgary 

Stampede where we watched the 

rodeo, chuck wagon races and the 

grandstand show “Volte”. We then 

went camping at the David Thompson 

Resort in Banff. We visited Lake Peyto 

and hiked at Lake Louise. We rode 

the Gondola up the Rocky Mountains 

and soaked in the hot springs. The trip 

went by so fast and before we knew 

it we were saying goodbye to Alberta 

and all our new friends. 

The Alberta Group came to Ontario 

from August 18 - 26. While here, 

we took them to the Lanark County 

Plowing Match to see the 4-H 

Plowing Club’s achievement day. We 

travelled to Montreal where we visited 

the Olympic Tower, the Biodome, 

the Botanical Gardens and the 

Insectatarium. Another day, we visited 

Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg. 

The group was shown some highlights 

of Lanark County such as the 

Pakenham Five Span Bridge, Stewart 

Park, and the RCMP Breeding Farm. 

We travelled to Fulton’s Pancake 

House for a pancake dinner and 

square dancing. We took them to 

Ottawa and toured Parliament Hill, the 

Byward Market and made a stop at 

the 4-H Canada head office. Then we 

improved our teambuilding skills while 

dragon boating on the Rideau Canal! 

A farewell pool party was held for 

the Alberta group before they left for 

home. The whole experience went by 

really fast but was lots of fun and we 

will always have the memories and 

lifelong friendships we made. 

Jessica Savard is a Lanark 4-H Member who 

has completed over 18 projects. 

Shakin’ It Up! 

Submitted by Angela Miller 

In 1996 Prince Edward 4-H 

purchased its first Milk Shake Booth 

to help fundraise for 4-H activities. 

When the booth started showing signs 

of age in 1999, 4-H Leader June 

Longhurst and her husband Bryce sold 

the Association a new, but used, milk 

shake booth for the steep price of $1. 

The Milk Shake Booth is a great 

fundraising tool; a 50% share of profits 

is put toward Club projects. In addition 

to raising funds, the booth also helps 

Members and Volunteers learn to do 

by doing. Volunteers and Members 

operate the Milkshake Booth and while 

doing so they develop skills including: 

team work, time management, 

relationship building, confidence 

building, and communication. 

The beautiful new Prince Edward 4-H Milk Shake Booth. Special thanks goes to: Jr. Farmers Past 

and Present, The Bay of Quinte Mutual Insurance Co., Prince Edward Agricultural Society, The 

Prince Edward Milk Producers. South Marysburgh Recreation, Demorestville Women’s Institute, 

Prince Edward County Women’s Institute, Lock Sloy, Sophiasburgh Recreation, South Bay United 

Church, Prince Edward Cattlemans Assoc., Rotary Clubs of Wellington and Picton, The Royal 

Canadian Legions of Picton and Wellington, The Picton Kiwanis, BMO Picton Branch, Prince 

Edward Federation of Agriculture, Bloomfield OATS, Buddha Dog, J.B.Printing, The Langridge 

Family, The Alyea and Broadridge Families, Thursday Night Car League, Joel Walker Electric, 

LDS Welding,Jason Doxsee, Farm Credit Canada and the tireless efforts of all 4-H Leaders and 

Members in Prince Edward County. 

This year, the Milk Shake Booth 

started to show signs of age after 12 

years of service. Prince Edward 4-H 

Association knew they needed a new 

Milk Shake booth. With an enormous 

amount of support from the community 

and hard work from Volunteers and 

Members, the dream became a 

reality. A very special thank you to our 

community businesses and service 

organizations and to all the purchasers 

of 4-H milk shakes and ice cream 

cones for the past 16 years. 

Angela Miller is a 20+ year Volunteer and the 

Prince Edward 4-H Association Vice President. 


IN BRIEF 

provincial stories 

Believing In A Dream 

Robin and Connie Parish are proud 

parents who wish to share their son 

Justin’s dream of one day showing 

at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair 

(RAWF). The awe and spectacle of 

walking into the Royal for the first time 

is a feeling they wish to give other 4-H 

dairy Members. Robin and Connie 

were honoured to present Leeds 

Association 4-H Member Brittany 

Carkner with the inaugural Justin 

Parish Memorial Bursary at the TD 

Canadian 4-H Dairy Classic show at 

the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. 

“I was absolutely honoured when I 

found out I was selected. I had a great 

time at the Royal and hope that the 

Parish family was proud I was the 

Member to be selected,” said Brittany 

reflecting of her first time at the RAWF. 

The Parish family was indeed happy 

with the outcome of the bursary. 

“The end result of the bursary was 

far greater than we ever anticipated. 

We were thrilled to meet the Carkner 

family. You could tell they were thrilled 

to be there. That was important to 

us. Brittany is a wonderful young 

lady, someone who is dedicated and 

hardworking and just didn’t quite make 

it to the show. Brittany shares Justin’s 

passion for 4-H,” explains Robin. 

The $500 bursary supported Brittany, 

a Member of the Lyn Dairy Club, 

in attending the Royal in Toronto, 

Ontario. She received the bursary on 

the nomination of her Club Leaders 

Brenda and Sam Dunster. “This young 

lady is a very dedicated 4-H member 

who demonstrated her passion for 

4-H through ‘Learn To Do By Doing’. 

As a Leader, when Brittany is asked 

to do that something extra I know it 

will be done with a sense of pride and 

determination on a ‘job well done’,” 

read Brenda and Sam’s nomination 

letter. 

“If the experience of attending the 

Royal even adds the slightest impact 

on Brittany to go with her through her 

life it would all be worth it. That kind of 

experience can have an impact to give 

youth an initiative that will stay with 

them for the rest of their life. The best 

part is we get to do this every year.” 

said Robin. 

The Justin Parish Memorial Bursary will be 

available annually to enable one 4-H Ontario 

dairy Club Member to attend the RAWF for the 

very first time. Applicants must demonstrate 

dedication, determination, and passion for 

agriculture and their 4-H Dairy Club. They 

must have never attended the RAWF as either 

a participant or attendee. Dairy Club Leaders 

will have the opportunity to make nominations 

each year and a selection committee will 

select the recipient. A special thank you to all 

those associated with the organization of the 

TD Canadian 4-H Dairy Classic at the Royal 

Agricultural Winter Fair for their assistance in 

facilitating the presentation. 

Sen$e Conferences Wrap Up 

4-H Ontario’s Sen$e conferences 

have officially wrapped up for the 2011 

year. Successful Beef and Crop Sen$e 

events ended the conference series 

on a high note by leaving delegates 

armed and ready to tackle agriculture 

business management challenges. 

Being able to see 

the producers and 

how they can apply 

it [business management 

knowledge] back to the farm 

takes the conference to a 

whole other level.” 

From left to right: Wraychel Horne, 4-H Ontario’s Executive Director; Connie and Robin Parish; 

Justin Parish Memorial Bursary recipient Brittany Carkner. 


After chatting with delegates, it is 

evident both conferences were able 

to carry out the Sen$e program’s 

mission of providing relevant business 

management education to young 

adults entering the industry. “My 

experience at Beef Sen$e was a very 

positive one,” said Theresa Buis, Beef 

7

Sen$e delegate. “I went in with an 

open mind and a willingness to learn, 

with which I found every aspect of this 

conference to be relevant to my life.” 

According to delegates, the industry 

tours offered during Beef and Crop 

Sen$e programs were the conference 

highlights. These tours allowed 

participants to see how leading 

agricultural businesses operate 

and it gave them the opportunity to 

critique and discuss the management 

methods being used. “Being able 

to see the producers and how they 

can apply it [business management 

knowledge] back to the farm takes the 

conference to a whole other level,” 

explains Ashley Knapton, Crop Sen$e 

delegate. The knowledge and know 

how that delegates extracted from 

workshops and tours has left them 

feeling confident and prepared to help 

make smart management decisions 

on their family farms and, in the future, 

their own operations. 

Aside from learning about the 

business side of agriculture, delegates 

were also able to connect with current 

and future agriculture leaders. “The 

networking opportunities that occur 

at the conference are invaluable,” 

explains Ashley. “Networking is 

important in the agriculture industry 

and these relationships will be useful 

for me now and in the future.” 

The Sen$e programs start up again 

beginning in May, 2012. Market 

Sen$e, a conference that focuses 

on taking a product from conception 

to a consumer market, has been 

added to the Sen$e line up. For more 

information visit 4-HOntario.ca. 

This project is funded in part through the 

Agricultural Management Institute (AMI). 

The AMI is part of the Best Practices Suite 

of programs for Growing Forward, a federalprovincial-territorial 

initiative. 

Beef Sen$e is also sponsored and supported 

by the following: The Ontario Cattleman’s 

Association; Beef Improvement Ontario; 

Dufferin Vet Services; Farm Credit Canada; 

Gilbrea Farm; JSE Farms; Ontario Farm Animal 

Council; Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & 

Rural Affairs; Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement 

Association; Milt Carr & Associates; Parrish & 

Heimbecker; Pletch Farms; Sharpe Farms; TD 

Canada Trust; Van Mar Farms Ltd / Buis Beef. 

Crop Sen$e is also sponsored and supported 

by the following: Pioneer Hi-Bred; Agricorp; 

Davies Legacy Group; Grain Farmers of 

Ontario; Huston Farms; Ontario Ministry of 

Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs; Ontario Soil 

& Crop Improvement Association; RBC Royal 

Bank; Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph; 

South West Ag Partners; TD Canada Trust; 

Thompsons Ltd; Workplace Safety & Prevention 

Services. 

Brussels Agri Services Ltd and Masterfeeds are excited to 

have Kirk Stierwalt put on a Grooming Clinic at the Jr. Beef 

Expo in London on March 10, 2012. 


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Leadership In Action • Fall 2011 

©2011 GROWMARK, Inc. M54140

FEATURES 

A FULL CIRCLE STORY 

What brings 4-H Volunteers back 

By Stephanie Craig 

Kim Desserre is a passionate Rainy 

River 4-H Volunteer who loves leading 

4-H Clubs. Kim’s 4-H story is one 

that mirrors the story of many 4-H 

Volunteers; she values hands-on 

learning for herself and her Members. 

Like many other 4-H Volunteers, Kim 

started off her 4-H experience as a 

Member. Kim completed 10 agriculture 

Clubs, 23 homemaking Clubs, 

attended the Regional Conference in 

Thunder Bay and took part in the 4-H 

Canada Interprovincial Exchange. 

Kim was hooked on the 4-H “Learn 

To Do By Doing” philosophy. “Part of 

my love of 4-H is that it is a fun way 

to learn new things,” explains Kim. 

Kim’s enthusiasm for the program 

led her directly into volunteering after 

she graduated as a Member. Kim led 

five Clubs and then decided to take a 

break to focus on other aspects of her 

life, including starting a family. 

But like many fellow Volunteers, Kim’s 

4-H experience came full circle when 

her children became interested in 

the program. Kim is now once again 

heavily involved in the Rainy River 

4-H Association. She happily renewed 

her 4-H involvement when her oldest 

son developed an interest in 4-H. “A 

lot of us do it for our kids,” explains 

Kim, “it’s really great that some of our 

Volunteers have started 4-H with their 

kids.” Her oldest son is now 17 and 

her 15, 13 and 10-year-old boys have 

all followed in his 4-H footsteps. Great 

minds really do think alike! 

Kim has a “passion for leading” and 

she was happy to restore this interest 

by renewing her 4-H Volunteer status. 

Kim’s favourite part of the experience 

is being able to bring youth together 

to learn something new in a fun and 

engaging way. “There’s so much 

neat stuff to do,” Kim says. “I love 

4-H because of the variety. You are 

always trying and learning something 

new. We find new things to do or do 

something in a new fun way all the 

time.” 

There’s so much 

neat stuff to do. I 

love 4-H because of 

the variety,” says Kim. 

Since returning to 4-H, Kim has led a 

variety of Clubs, her first being Take 

A Kid Fishing Club. She’s also tried 

out horticulture, sports, chocolate, 

veterinary and sewing Clubs, just to 

name a few. Kim has experienced ups 

and downs with running her Clubs 

just like any other Volunteer. One 

particular hurdle Kim had to overcome, 

which many other Volunteers struggle 

with, was the change in 4-H policies 

that required two 4-H Volunteers 

for the creation of a Club. Kim was 

skeptical about this policy at first but 

she soon changed her mind. “It does 

make the meeting run a lot smoother. 

I’m really glad the policy is in place 

now. It’s hard by yourself and it helps 

with crowd control,” Kim laughs. She 

also jokes about the occasional need 

for a seating plan when Members start 

to get “goofy”. 

Like Kim, her four sons really 

appreciate 4-H’s “Learn To Do By 

Doing” approach. They often have the 

need to be active and sometimes even 

“goofy”. “My boys hate to write things 

down so doing hands on learning is 

the best way,” Kim says. “They like to 

get outside and do social rec. They 

really are my barometers of project 

success.” If Kim hears “this is too 

much like school” she knows its time 

to mix things up to ensure Members 

have a good time and absorb the 

project material. “Sometimes you think 

they really are just goofing around but 

they will come to another project and 

remember what you talked about,” Kim 

explains. 

Those involved in 4-H hear time 

and time again that what makes 4-H 

special is the “Learn To Do By Doing” 

approach. Kim’s experience echoes 

that. Members learn valuable skills 

through their 4-H Clubs, and they have 

fun while doing so. Kim’s passion for 

learning through experience is what 

keeps her Clubs going and gives the 

Members of Rainy River a wonderful 

and sometimes goofy 4-H experience. 

Thank you Kim. 


NEED A VET 

This keen 4-H’r might be the answer 

By Nikki Kross 

Lindsay Oxby is an amazing 4-H role model. At the 

age of 20 she competed against 461 applicants to 

become one of 114 first year students attending the 

Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). OVC is extremely 

competitive with 35 hours of class work a week and 

hours of homework a night. Even though the workload 

is strenuous, and courses tough, Lindsay feels 

confident in her skill set. She attributes her success to 

hard work, dedication, and her 4-H Clubs. 

Lindsay was always interested in animals and her 

veterinary career path started when she joined a 

Wellington 4-H Dairy Club. Lindsay’s involvement in 

the Club sparked a curiosity for large animals and 

dairy medicine; Lindsay fell in love with dairy medicine 

and decided to pursue this path as a potential career 

choice. Continuing on this exciting journey, Lindsay 

enrolled in the Waterloo 4-H Vet Club, which made her 

certain that a career in veterinary medicine was for her. 

“Vet Club helps you gain the background knowledge 

to know you want to become a veterinarian,” Lindsay 

explains. “You can love animals but a career as a vet 

may not be for you. Being able to visit clinics and be 

exposed to surgeries and treatments really solidifies if 

this career path is right for young kids.” 

Lindsay’s Vet Club also taught her basic animal 

anatomy, introduced her to diseases, and touched 

on x-rays. The knowledge and experience Lindsay 

acquired helped her gain acceptance into OVC, 

and it also assists her in her course work. “Animal 

experience is very important in the application,” 

Lindsay explains. “Being able to volunteer with vets 

and work with large animals through both the Vet Club 

and Dairy Club was helpful for my application. It’s also 

made me comfortable around large animals which is a 

big advantage in my classes.” 


Lindsay hopes to specialize in bovine medicine. She 

believes her experience in 4-H Dairy Clubs and the 

Dairy Sen$e Conference, will be especially helpful 

for this branch of veterinary medicine. “Vets are now 

looking more toward maintaining health instead of 

treating animals that are already sick,” Lindsay says. 

“Learning how to maintain health is very important 

and having the background knowledge from the 4-H 

program is really going to give me an advantage for 

building strong client-vet relationships which will help 

me succeed as a vet.” This 4-H’r deserves a pat on 

the back for all her hard work, and come 2015, we all 

know who to go to for large animal veterinary care. 

11

FEATURES 

Christine Wilkinson, Rebecca Murray, Deanna Glasgow, Marie Martin (coach) and Scott Gooding representing Halton 4-H Association. 

TAKING HOME GOLD 

Halton 4-H’rs win the 2011 provincial title 

By Stephanie Craig 

Do you know how to hold a rabbit 

properly, when 4-H began, or how 

yeast works Chances are the 2011 

Provincial Go For The Gold (GFTG) 

Champions know the answers. 

GFTG is a trivia competition that 

focuses on content covered in 4-H 

projects and current 4-H information. 

Teams of four players, an alternate 

and one coach compete against 

one another at the local, regional 

and provincial level. The provincial 

competition happens every November 

at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair 

(RAWF). Here the winners of each 

regional competition go head to 

head for the chance to win the title of 

Provincial GFTG Champions. 

Many 4-H’rs dedicate their entire 

spring, summer and fall to studying, 

preparing and competing. The 

provincial event is the culmination of 

hours of dedication. It brings together 

Members, Volunteers and spectators 

from across Ontario. The excitement 

also brought Deborah Gray, Manager, 

Marketing and Communications for 

Ontario Mutuals to the provincial 

championships. Ontario Mutuals is 

the provincial sponsor of the GFTG 

program and also financially supports 

each of the six regional competitions. 

“Ontario Mutuals is delighted to be 

associated with 4-H’s Go For The Gold 

program. The level of commitment 

and excellence from the participants 

is very gratifying, and certainly makes 

our sponsorship even more important 

to us,” explains Deborah. 

Teams from Carleton, Durham East, 

Grey, Halton, Oxford and Temiskaming 

4-H Associations participated in the 

provincial competition at the RAWF. 

After five preliminary rounds, Durham- 

East and Halton took the lead. The 

championship game was a tight battle 

but the Halton 4-H team came out on 

top followed by Durham-East, Oxford, 

Carleton, Temiskaming and Grey. 

Deanna Glasgow, Scott Gooding, 

Rebecca Murray and Christine 

Wilkinson of Halton 4-H were thrilled 

to take home “4-H gold”. 

Being new to GFTG Members of 

the Halton team were extremely 

thankful to have Marie Martin, a 

seasoned GFTG pro, as their coach. 

Marie used her expertise to lead the 

competitors through many intense 

preparation sessions, including a nine 

hour “cram” session the day before 

the championships. “I just spit out 

random 4-H facts now,” said Christine 

Wilkinson. The whole team jokes they 

know more about sewing, wearable 

art, dairy cattle, bread and more, than 

they ever thought they would. 

GFTG’s success is due to generous 

support from sponsors, the RAWF, 

spectators and enthusiastic 4-H 

Members and dedicated 4-H 

Volunteers. GTFG will be running 

again in a few shorts months so 

hopeful potentials out there should be 

advised to start studying early if you 

want to be the next GFTG superstars! 


SERVING ONTARIO AGRICULTURE 

A 4-H Alumni Profile 

By Lois James 

For many 4-H Ontario Alumni, the 

name “Ken Knox” is synonymous 

with 4-H and serving agriculture. This 

humble man has had a remarkable 

career in the agriculture industry and it 

all started through his local 4-H Clubs. 

Ken’s 4-H experience instilled a desire 

to serve the public and give back to 

the community. “Since I couldn’t afford 

to buy the farm next door, I decided 

to become a public servant,” Ken 

explains. Ken pursued this path and 

in 1972 joined the Ontario Ministry of 

Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs 

(OMAFRA) as an assistant agricultural 

representative in Waterloo County. 

While in 4-H, Ken learned local 

leadership is the key to implementing 

positive change within a community. 

As a young 4-H Member in Durham 

County, he recognized that it was 

his 4-H Leaders who served the 

community and drove change across 

the province. “It’s the commitment of 

volunteers who make a difference in 

their communities,” Ken notes. This 

realization served as the foundation 

for many of the initiatives he pursued. 

“When I entered government service, 

I brought that same philosophy with 

me. Let the people who can do it 

best, do it” says Ken. “At that time, 

government was very paternalistic, 

but we were beginning to understand 

that we needed to back away and turn 

programs over to local people for them 

to run,” explains Ken. 

Ken continued with OMAFRA for 

30 years. He took on numerous 

roles including contributing to youth 

programs, acting as Supervisor of 4-H 

and Junior Farmer Programs, Director 

of the Extension Branch, Assistant 

Deputy Minister and Deputy Minister. 

During the period of downsizing the 

provincial public sector, Ken was 

instrumental in designing creative 

ways to ensure that the most crucial 

agricultural structures and programs 

were adapted but still maintained. His 


recognition of the value of extension 

and education programs for rural 

youth facilitated the development 

of an independently funded 4-H 

organization, with OMAFRA still 

providing significant financial support. 

Although this was a difficult period, 

Ken wanted to ensure the integrity of 

the 4-H program remained for future 

generations. “I have memories of 4-H 

Leaders telling us about integrity,” Ken 

says. “From them, we learned through 

judging that you make a decision 

based on your research, then you stick 

by it and defend your decisions. Well 

thought out reasoning and research 

are skills you need to survive in life.” 

In addition to integrity and reasoning 

skills, Ken also learned other life skills 

from the program. Ken attributes his 

leadership to his 4-H education. “I was 

a shy little kid who could not speak 

publicly until I went to 4-H Leadership 

week (now Provincial 4-H Leadership 

Camp),” Ken shares. “There is no 

doubt that 4-H changed my life.” 

Goal setting was one of the more 

important skills Ken learned as it was 

the driving force behind his 30 years 

of agriculture service. “At 65, every 

day is still a new journey but you only 

make a difference if you aggressively 

pursue your goals,” Ken explains. “At 

regional 4-H conferences we learned 

to set goals. I was struck with what I 

learned from the Volunteers and one 

of my goals was to serve others. It’s a 

goal I live by.” 

Ken’s leadership and influence 

was recognized this year with his 

induction into the Ontario Agricultural 

Hall of Fame. He was the driver 

behind the creation of the Advanced 

Agricultural Leadership Program; the 

creation of Agricorp and other risk 

management programs; the transfer 

of the Ridgetown, Kemptville and 

Alfred agricultural colleges to the 

University of Guelph; transforming the 

farm property tax rebate program into 

a permanent reduced-property-taxassessment 

program for farmland and 

farm buildings; and the development 

of Agriculture in the Classroom, 

(Ontario Agri-Food Education, Inc.). 

Outside the public sector, Ken’s 

leadership continued as a founding 

board member, director, president 

or CEO of several innovation and 

biotechnology institutes, research 

centres and other organizations. 

Ken continues his involvement in 

Ontario agriculture today as Chair of 

the Departmental Audit Committee 

of the Canadian Food Inspection 

Agency, as an advisor to agricultural 

associations and as owner of a 500 

acre cash crop and pumpkin farm, and 

Knox/First Start Acres Percherons. 

Although Ken is farming now, it was 

a great service to Ontario agriculture 

that almost 45 years ago he couldn’t 

afford to buy the farm next door. 

Images: A recent photo of Ken and a clipping 

from a 1983 “Enthusiast” magazine published 

by the Rural Organizations and Services Branch 

of OMAFRA. 

Lois James is 4-H Ontario’s Coordinator, 

Alumni Services, a position 100% funded by a 

Promotional Partnership with Hyland TM Seeds. 

Hyland TM Seeds is passionate about agriculture 

and believes in supporting the people who are 

deeply rooted in the agricultural industry, and 

dedication to 4-H is proof of this commitment. 

13

FEATURES 

IIt is Bennett Howell’s first year in 

4-H and this vibrant and enthusiastic 

10 year old is loving every minute 

of it. Bennett dove right into the 4-H 

program taking on the challenge of 

balancing involvement in Hamilton- 

Wentworth Rabbit Showing, Rabbit 

Hopping and Drama Clubs, all the 

while helping his family to build a barn 

on their dairy farm and care for their 

cows, rabbits and cats. 

Because Bennett’s favourite animals 

are rabbits, he was thrilled to be able 

to join 4-H rabbit Clubs. Bennett 

wanted to learn everything there is to 

know about rabbits and he’s definitely 

had a great start. 

MEET 

BENNETT HOWELL 

He’s Making Leaps and Bounds in the 4-H Program 

By Nikki Kross 

You have to help them [the rabbits] over the 

jumps and then pet and love them to show 

them they did a good job. Showing love is 

like a treat for bunnies.” - Bennett 

Bennett and his Red New Zealand 

cross White Satin rabbit, Cinnamon, 

have learned how to work together 

for rabbit showing and rabbit agility 

competitions. With the help of his 

Leader, Joanne Alblas, and fellow 

showing and hopping 4-H Club 

Members, Bennett has learned 

numerous tips and tricks to help him 

and Cinnamon bring their “A” game 

to competitions. “I’ve learned how to 

handle rabbits properly, I’ve learned 

not to be scared of rabbits, and I’ve 

learned how to stay calm with the 

rabbit and calm the rabbit down,” says 

Bennett. 

In addition to showing and agility, the 

Hamilton-Wentworth 4-H Rabbit Clubs 

also focus on teaching Members 

rabbit knowledge including rabbit 

breeds, rabbit anatomy and how 

to properly care for rabbits. To test 

Members on this knowledge the Club 

keeps it interesting by utilizing games 

like hangman to accompany their 

quizzes. 

Bennett and other 4-H’rs across 

the province had the opportunity 

to showcase their rabbit handling 

and training skills, as well as rabbit 

knowledge, at the Haldimand Rabbit 

Day on October 22. This annual 

affair is the biggest rabbit event held 


in Region 4 and features numerous 

opportunities to demonstrate 4-H 

skills including: rabbit jeopardy, 

rabbit quizzes, rabbit showing, rabbit 

hopping, judging and project board 

competitions. Fifty-five Members from 

various Clubs across the province 

came together to participate in this 

exciting daylong event. 

To prepare for Haldimand Rabbit Day, 

Bennett and his Showing and Hopping 

Club practiced every week for over 

three months and competed at the 

Rockton, Caledonia and Ancaster 

fairs. The Rockton Fair was Bennett’s 

very first time showing and it was here 

that he really fell in love with the sport. 

“At first I was really nervous but once I 

got through I realized that it wasn’t that 

hard and it was really fun!” Bennett 

says excitedly. 

Bennett notes that the hardest part 

about rabbit showing is to remember 

all the steps. When showing, Members 

progress through a series of steps 

to showcase their rabbit’s health. 

Members first show the top of the 

rabbit, and then flip it onto its backside 

to show the underside of the rabbit. 

There are over 17 steps in the entire 

showing process, which leaves a lot of 

room for error. 

For a young 4-H’r who is under 

pressure, this can be a tricky feat and 

can leave them feeling discouraged 

if they slip up. Luckily Bennett has 

a great mentality around showing 

because his Club Leader and fellow 

Members have taught him it’s the 

learning process that’s the most 

important part, not the end result. 

“You shouldn’t be scared because if 

you make a mistake it doesn’t matter, 

you just try your best,” says Bennett 

knowingly. 

Bennett is loving his 4-H experience 

so far. “In 4-H I learn a lot of new 

skills, I have lots of fun, and I learn 

responsibility and how to take care of 

animals,” Bennett explains. This young 

4-H’r is excited to continue with Rabbit 

Showing, Rabbit Hopping, and Drama 

Clubs again next year, and if he can 

squeeze it into his busy schedule, 

Dairy Club and homemaking clubs 

will also be in his future. Sounds like 

Bennett has a very bright, and busy, 

4-H future ahead. 

Hamilton-Wentworth 4-H 

Rabbit Hopping Club 

Submitted by Aleta Alblas 

“You want me to jump what I don’t 

know if I can do that! I don’t think I could 

jump that high, however, my trainer 

thinks that I can, and is urging me to try. 

Maybe, I will start out low and work my 

way up. Wow! I’ve jumped one pole, two 

poles, three poles, hey, this is fun!” This 

is likely what my rabbit, Rio, was thinking 

when I was training him to navigate the 

agility course that we made in our Rabbit 

Hopping Club. 

This year in Rabbit Hopping Club we 

first learned how to make rabbit jumps 

and then how to train our rabbits to use 

these jumps. Some of us spent more 

time making extra jumps and other 

pieces of equipment. When we put them 

all together on a track, they made a 

great Rabbit Hopping course. We started 

training our rabbits in July and by the 

third week in September we had our first 

show at the Ancaster Fair. We also did 

a show at the Rockton Fair, Caledonia 

Fair, and had a demo at the Haldimand 

Intercounty Rabbit Show. Rio had a 

great time! Here’s what the experience 

was like from his point of view. 

“The trainers set the track up consisting 

of jumps, a hoop, tunnels, an A-frame, 

walkover, and a finish line. We are given 

a chance to warm up by going around 

the track with the jumps nice and low 

before the show begins. The music 

starts and we are off running as quickly 

as we can! I like to start out slow and 

gain speed going around. I cleared five 

poles, sailed through the hoop, and dove 

through the tunnel. And then there’s the 

final jump. Oh no, my trainer has made it 

18 inches high! Okay I’ll give it a try, here 

it goes….up, up, up, and over I go. Wow 

I made it! And I didn’t knock any poles 

over. Yay, my trainer is thrilled with me!” 

The Hamilton-Wentworth 4-H Rabbit Hopping Club from left to right; back row, Susan Dwyer, 

Joanne Alblas, Chelsea Dwyer with Q-tip, Mary-Lynne Howell with Chester, Aleta Alblas with Rio, 

Cindy Coverdale with Flower, Front row, Bennett Howell with Cinnamon , Bradley Howell with 

Pepper, and Mikayla Ringelberg with Reese. Not present: Calista Loten with Mittens. 


By helping our rabbits navigate the 

agility course, we learned that rabbits 

are not always ready to hop when we 

are, and, they are not always ready to 

stop when we want them to. We also 

learned how to be gentle and patient 

with our rabbits as we coax them over 

the jumps. Our rabbits have learned how 

to cheat along the way when they know 

we are not close by! We had a great time 

this year and look forward to next year. 

15

CONGRATS! 

4-H’rs rock the 2011 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (RAWF) 

Check out a highlight of youth shows results below. Full results at royalfair.org/2011- 

agriculture-results A special thanks goes to the RAWF, all show sponsors and organizers, 

4-H Volunteers, Leaders and Chaperones, supportive families and spectators. 

TD DAIRY GOAT 

YOUTH SHOW 

Pee Wee Showmanship 

1. Conner Hansford, 

Middlesex 

2. Chelsea Penny, KLH 

3. Taylor Penny, KLH 

Junior Showmanship 

1. Jonathan Dugdale, 

Niagara 

2. Jordon Hansford, 

Middlesex 

3. Rebecca Rynard, KLH 

Intermediate Showmanship 

1. Evan Stanley, 

Peterborough (Reserve 

Grand Champion 

Showperson) 

2. Jacob Morris, Norfolk 

3. Katlyn Wood, Prince 

Edward 

Senior Showmanship 

1. Alex Cripps, New 

Brunswick (Grand 

Champion Showperson) 

2. Raina Vingerhoeds, Huron 

3. Adrian Franken, Bruce 

Alpine Confirmation 

1. Evan Stanley, 

Peterborough (Grand 

Champion Doe) 

2. Jordon Hansford, 

Middlesex 

3. Brianna Day, Norfolk 

Saanen Confirmation 

1. Clarke Stanley, 

Peterborough 

2. Dalton Morris, Norfolk 

3. Tyler Hansford, Middlesex 

La Mancha and Toggenburg 

Confirmation 

1. Rebecca Rynard, KLH 

2. Conner Hansford, 

Middlesex 

3. Jonathan Dugdale, 

Niagara 

Nubian Confirmation 

1. Katlyn Wood, Prince 

Edward (Reserve 

Champion Doe) 

2. Caroline Brady, Durham 

TD JUNIOR 

SHEEP SHOW 

Novice Showmanship 

1. Cole Spielmacher, Grey 

2. Makayla Callaghan, 

Lambton 

3. Sarah Weatherhead, Grey 


1. Blake Nelson, Bruce 

2. William Walsh, Brant 

3. Ally Spielmacher, Grey 


1. Courtney Tupper, 

Brant (Reserve Grand 

Champion) 

2. Serena Lamont, Bruce 

3. Amanda Comfort, Niagara 


1. Cody MacKinnon, Elgin 

(Grand Champion 

Showperson) 

2. Gary Finlay, Huron 

3. Nicole Shelley, Grey 

Any Other Breed 

Confirmation 

1. Cody MacKinnon 

2. Matthew Noxon 

3. Aaron Gebhardt 

Any Other Breed-Longwool 

Confirmation 

1. Serena Lamont 

2. Chelsea Pope 

3. Nicole Shelley 

Cross Breeds Class 1 

Confirmation 

1. Andrea Crump 

2. Charlie Crump 

3. Carmen Crump 

Dorset Confirmation 

1. Orillia Russwurm 

2. Adrienne Robson 

3. Katrina Mason 

Oxford Confirmation 

1. William Walsh 

2. Stuart May 

3. Shea O’Neill 

Southdown Confirmation 

1. Gary Finlay (Grand 

Champion Lamb) 

2. Graham Finlay 

3. Amanda Comfort 

Suffolk Confirmation 

1. Courtney Tupper 

2. Kristen Giffen 

3. Hannah Porteous 

TD LADIES LEAD 

& WOOL 

1. Sarah Brien, Chatham 

Kent 

2. Amanda Comfort, Niagra 

3. Courtney Tupper, Brant 

CANADIAN 

YOUNG 

SPEAKERS FOR 

AGRICULTURE 

COMPETITION 

Senior Division 

1. Tammy Fischer - Ontario 

2. Martin Straathof - Ontario 

3. Zane Perreault - Alberta 

Junior Division 

1. Hayley Mullen - Ontario 

2. Dasha Metropolitansky - 

Ontario 

3. Shelby Drew - Quebec 

From left to right: TD Dairy Goat Youth Show Grand Champion Showman - Alex Cripps, New Brunswick; TD Dairy Goat Youth Show Reserve Grand 

Champion Showman - Evan Stanley, Peterborough; TD Junior Sheep Show competitors. 


4-H FIELD CROPS 

COMPETITION 

Wheat, Any variety 

1. Megan Styles, Carleton 

2. Matt Smith, Hamilton- 

Wentworth 

3. Julia Smith, Hamilton- 

Wentworth 

Oats, any variety 

1. Sarah Long, Haldimand 

2. Emma Long, Haldimand 

3. Izabel Allemang, 

Haldimand 

Barley, 6 rowed 

1. Christine Armstrong, 

Haldimand 

2. Andrea Smith, Hamilton- 

Wentworth 

3. Duncan McMillan, 

Haldimand 

Barley, 2 rowed 


Haldimand 


Haldimand 

3. Brendan Murphy, 

Haldimand 

Corn, ear, dent 


Haldimand 


3. Emma Long, Haldimand 

Corn, shelled, dent 


2. Morgan Barnes, 

Haldimand 

3. Jordan Campbell, 

Chatham-Kent 

Soybeans, any variety 

1. Brendan Murphy, 

Haldimand 

2. Brooke Young, Hamilton- 

Wentworth 

3. Andrew Derynck, Chatham 

Kent 

Beans, white or coloured 

1. Brandon Fields, Chatham 

Kent 

Hay, First Cut 

1. Nicole Young, Hamilton- 

Wentworth 


Wentworth 

3. Kathryn Ringelberg, 

Hamilton-Wentworth 

Hay, Second cut or later 


Wentworth 

2. Nicole Young, Hamilton- 

Wentworth 


Haldimand 

Sheaf, Oat 


Wentworth 


Haldimand 

Sheaf, Wheat 


Haldimand 

2. Morgan Barnes, 

Haldimand 


Sheaf, Barley 


Wentworth 

Artistic display – 4-H 


Wentworth 


Haldimand 

3. John Huitema, Haldimand 

TD CANADIAN 

4-H DAIRY 

CLASSIC 


1. Peter Leach, KLH 

(Honourable Mention 

Showperson) 

2. Matthew Forestell, 

Northumberland 

3. Ava Doner, Durham East 


1. Vanessa Crowley, 

Peterborough 

2. Emily Henderson, 

Peterborough 

3. Dan Werry, Durham West 


1. Rachel Jebson, Durham 

West (Grand Champion 

Showperson & President’s 

Cup Recipient) 

2. Emily Den Haan, South 

Simcoe (Reserve 


3. Jaclyn Rivington, Carleton 

Holstein Junior Calf 

Confirmation 

1. Kelly Martin, Oxford - 

Donelea Alex Ballerina 

2. Jill Kirkwood, Dundas 

- Sunnylodge Goldwyn 

Shakeela 

3. Justin Velthuis, Carleton 

- Riverdown Sanchez 

Milkyway 

Holstein Intermediate Calf 

Confirmation 

1. Christopher Franken, 

Huron - Frankhaven 

Goldenguy Lisa 

2. Jaclyn Rivington, Carleton 

- Glennholme Astro 

Berlesque 

3. Matthew Forestell, 

Northumberland - 

Kingsway Sanchez 

Armadillo 

Holstein Senior Calf 

Confirmation 

1. Dominic Petitclerc, PQ E 

- Petitclerc Goldwyn Spady 

2. Nicole MacKenzie, NS - 

Lonelymaple Laurin Kara 

3. Alex Bernard, PEI - 

Brackleyfarm Chelios 

Cheerio 

Holstein Summer Yearling 

Confirmation 

1. Dawn Beckwith, NB - 

Valleyville Sanchez Sassy 

2. Katie Deslippe, Perth - 

Speedside Roy Nicki 

3. Joanna Clark, KLH - 

Clarkvalley Landscape 

Ginger 

Holstein Junior Yearling 

Confirmation 

1. James Walker, Wellington 

- Vernla Jasper Candice 

(Grand Champion Calf) 

2. Mark Hazeleger, Oxford 

- Fradon Sterling Jodie 

(Reserve Champion Calf) 

3. Ethan McMillan, 

Northumberland - 

Kingsway Sanchez 

Arangatang 

From left to right: 4-H Field Crops Competition - Winning entries by Andrea Smith, Hamilton-Wentworth; Canadian 4-H Classic Junior Dairy Show - 

Reserve Grand Champion Showperson - Emily Den Haan, South Simcoe and Grand Champion Showperson - Rachel Jebson, Durham West; Canadian 

4-H Classic Junior Dairy Show Reserve Champion Calf - Mark Hazeleger, Oxford exhibiting Fradon Sterling Jodie and Canadian 4-H Classic Junior 

Dairy Show Champion Calf - James Walker, Wellington exhibiting Vernla Jasper Candice 


Ayrshire, Guernsey, Milking 

Shorthorn Confirmation 

1. Ashleigh Benedict, NS - 

Musqui Calimero Chikee 

2. Jeremy Rose, Dundas - 

Rosayre BB Flip 

3. Marshall Ellis, NS - Eloc 

Plato Logie Licious 

Jersey Calves Confirmation 

1. Ava Doner, Durham East 

- Willdina Amadeo Joleen 

(Honorable Mention Calf) 

2. Megan Kraus, Grey - 

Paullor Giller Malone 

3. Jenna Elliott, Lambton - 

Mixin Moos Iatola Cassie 

Jersey Yearlings 

Confirmation 

1. Alana McKinven, PQ 

SE - Lookout Blackstone 

Treasure 

2. Kelly Ross, Russell - 

Glenholme Ress Ambrose 

3. Brooke McKinven, PQ SE 

- Lookout Regan Glo 

Group of Three 

1. Oxford 

2. Quebec South East 

3. Wellington 

Best Exhibit 

1. Perth 

2. Middlesex 

3. Lanark 

Premier County 

1. Durham West 

2. Carleton 

3. Northumberland 

QUEEN’S 

GUINEAS SHOW 

Grand Champion 

Showperson - Ashlee Aldred, 

Middlesex & Reserve Grand 

Champion Showperson - 

Amy Lidster, Chatham-Kent 

Heifers 

1. Mark McEwen, Lambton 

(8th Overall) 

2. Tyler MacPherson, Huron 

(13th Overall) 

3. Ashlee Aldred, Middlesex 

Steers – Black - Hip Height 

49 1/2” to 50 1/2” 

1. Grant Gilroy, Lambton (7th 

Overall) 

2. Scott Jensen, Elgin (14th 

Overall) 

3. Cole MacPherson, Huron 


51 1/2” to 52” 

1. Jackson Rose, Elgin (4th 

Overall) 

2. Ben Scott, Brant (6th 

Overall) 

3. Katie Thompson, 

Chatham-Kent 


52 1/2” to 52 3/4 ” 

1. Amber McLachlan, 

Lambton (5th Overall) 

2. Kenzie Regts, Chatham- 

Kent (15th Overall) 

3. Krista McEwen, Lambton 


53” to 54” 

1. Johnathan McNeil, 

Middlesex (3rd Overall) 

2. Amy Lidster, Chatham- 

Kent (16th Overall) 

3. Josephine Verhallen, 

Chatham-Kent 

Steers – Black & White - Hip 

Height 49” to 52” 

1. Brad Regts, Chatham-Kent 

(11th Overall) 

2. Sylvia Megens, York (12th 

Overall) 

3. Justin Foubert, Carleton 

Steers – Black & White - Hip 

Height 52 1/4 ” to 53” 

1. Ian Ryan, Middlesex (9th 

Overall) 

2. Sean Payne, Elgin (10th 

Overall) 

3. Kelly Verstraete, Chatham- 

Kent 

Steers – All Other Colours 

Hip Height 51 1/2 ” to 53” 

1. Amanda Scott, Brant 

(Grand Champion Overall 

- Purchased By: Highland 

Packers, Stoney Creek, 

ON) 

2. Samantha McNeil, 

Middlesex (Reserve 

Grand Champion Overall 

- Purchased By: David 

Carson’s Farms, Listowel, 

ON) 

3. Rachel Dal Bello, South 

Simcoe 

Steers – All Other Colours 

Hip Height 53 1/4 ” to 55” 

1. Holly Cavanagh, 

Middlesex (17th Overall) 

2. Carlee Gowan, South 

Simcoe (18th Overall) 

Vanessa Jebb, South Simcoe 

From left to right: National Junior Beef Heifer Show Grand Champion Showperson - Robert Enright, Renfrew; National Junior Beef Heifer Show Grand 

Champion Heifer - Kade Earley, Middlesex; Queen’s Guineas Show Grand Champion Steer - Amanda Scott, Brant 

From left to right: National Junior Beef Heifer Show Reserve Champion Showperson - Melissa MacIntyre, Huron; National Junior Beef Heifer Show 

Reserve Grand Champion Heifer - Brad MacIntyre, Huron exhibiting Brantnor’s Edam 16X; Queen’s Guineas Show Reserve Grand Champion Steer - 

Samantha McNeil, Middlesex 


NATIONAL 

JUNIOR BEEF 

HEIFER SHOW 

Campbell, Grey - Destiny 

Permanent Reflect & Reserve 

Champion Simmental - Taylor 

Campbell, Grey - Destiny 

Dream Maxi 

ONTARIO 

JUNIOR BARROW 

COMPETITION 

Champion Junior 

Showperson - Melissa 

MacIntyre, Huron (Reserve 

Grand Champion Showperson) 

& Reserve Champion Junior 

Showperson - Jamie Lea 

Wade, KLH 

Champion Intermediate 

Showperson - Brad MacIntyre, 

Huron & Reserve Champion 

Intermediate Showperson - 

Abby Gibson, Bruce 

Champion Senior 

Showperson - Robert 

Enright, Renfrew (Grand 

Champion Showperson) & 

Reserve Champion Senior 

Showperson - Erin Briggs, 

North Simcoe 

Champion Limousin - Cole 

Robbins, Lambton - HC 

Polled Duchess & Reserve 

Champion Limousin - Melissa 

MacIntyre, Huron - TMF Miss 

Lily 11Y 

Champion Maine Anjou 

- Lexie Colvin, Bruce - Mel- 

Matt Xaviera 20X & Reserve 

Champion Maine Anjou - 

Jarod Scott, Perth - Mel-Matt 

Yakira 9Y 

Champion Shorthorn - Patrick 

Brown-Andison, Durham West 

- Glenrothes Rena Rosewood 

& Reserve Champion 

Shorthorn - Glenn Murray, 

Dufferin - TXF Peggy 201X 

Champion Simmental - Alexa 

Champion Any Other 

Purebred Heifer - Ashley 

Higgins, Huron - SDIRK 

Brindle 14X & Reserve Any 

Other Purebred Heifer - 

Stuart McIIwraith, Hamilton- 

Wentworth - Glenfiddich Xhosa 

Champion Angus - Brad 

MacIntyre, Huron - Brantnor’s 

Edam 16X (Reserve Grand 

Champion Heifer) & Reserve 

Champion Angus - Brooke 

Earley, Middlesex - Earley 

Elaine 13X 

Champion Charolais - 

Jamie Lea Wade, KLH - AGA 

X-Treame Girl 67X & Reserve 

Champion Charolais - Jack 

Oattes, Renfrew - Miss 

Cedardale 44X 

Champion Commercial - 

Kade Earley, Middlesex (Grand 

Champion Heifer) & Reserve 

Champion Commercial 

- Elizabeth Stubbs, Brant - 

Lazy-B Smokeshow 

Champion Hereford - Josh 

Lasby, Dufferin - Grosvenor 

MS Supreme 6662 207X & 

Reserve Champion Hereford 

- Josh Boyles, Peterborough - 

Elm Lodge Xceptional 72X 

Charles J. Watson Memorial 

Award - Alexa Campbell, Grey 

- Destiny Permanent Reflect 

John Slaght Award for Best 

Exhibit - New Brunswick 


1. Brad Ypma, Oxford (Grand 


2. Sarah Seroski, Chatham- 

Kent 


1. Laura Dieleman, Chatham- 

Kent 

2. Renee Robinson, Huron 

Novice Showmanship 

1. Ben VanderDeen, Elgin 

(Reserve Champion 

Showperson) 

2. Shawn VanHerk, Perth 

Senior Pfizer Quiz Awards 

1. Sara Boersma, Chatham- 

Kent 

2. Daniel Schertzer, Essex 

3. Sarah Seroski, Chatham- 

Kent 

Junior Pfizer Quiz Awards 

1. Kaitlyn Schertzer, Essex 

2. Mark Robinson, Huron 

3. Josh Robinson, Huron 

Novice Pfizer Quiz Awards 

1. Ben VanderDeen, Elgin 

2. Matthew Gerrits, 

Middlesex 

3. Ben Robinson, Huron 

InterCounty Group of Three 

1. Essex - Daniel Schertzer, 

Brandon Schertzer & 

Kaitlyn Schertzer 

2. Chatham-Kent - Daniel 

Verbeek, Leanne Dielman 

& Josh D’Hondt 

3. Chatham-Kent - Michael 

Brouwer, Simone D’Hondt 

& Laura Dielman 

Barn Competition 

1. Andrea, Charlie, & Carmen 

Crump, Middlesex 

2. Emily VanderDeen, Elgin 

3. Laura Dieleman, Chatham- 

Kent 

Best Dressed Pig Picture 

1. Melissa VanStaveren, 

Wellington 

2. Leanne Dieleman, 

Chatham-Kent 

3. Simone D’Hondt, 

Chatham-Kent 

Stockmanship Award - Ben 

VanderDeen, Elgin 

Grand Champion Market Pig 

- Kristan Gunson, Wellington 

& Reserve Champion Market 

Pig - Michelle Robinson, Perth 

Champion Market Gilt - 

Kristan Gunson, Wellington 

Top Landrace Market Hog - 

David VanDyk, Oxford 

From left to right: Ontario Junior Barrow Competition Grand Champion Showperson - Brad Ypma, Oxford; Ontario Junior Barrow Competition Reserve 

Grand Champion Showperson - Ben VanderDeen, Elgin; Ontario Junior Barrow Competition Reserve Champion Market Pig - Michelle Robinson, Perth 

and Grand Champion Market Pig - Kristan Gunson, Wellington 

Leadership In Action • Fall 2011 


1. 2. 

3. 

4. 

5.. 

SCRAPBOOK 

1. Devlin 4-H Club Members showing their 4-H colours at their Achievement Day at Emo Fall Fair. 2. Melanie 

Hatch, a first year 4-H Member with her calf Ribbon, at the Junior Dairy Show in Elora 3. Clayton Snider, Frances 

Garrah and Caitlyn McNichols serve pancakes at the Lennox and Addington Father’s Day breakfast 4. Haldimand 

4-H’rs entered a float in the Haldimand Motors “musical groups“ themed parade and received $600! From left to 

right in back: Dave Murray, Rylee Sommer, Paul Tattersal, Michael Richards, Stacey McConachie, Kayla Dickie, 

William Smith. Front: Bethany Stavinga and Tiara Sommer. 5. Daniel Shier, a Durham West 4-H Garden Club 

Member with his record breaking Sunflower (see page 6) 6. The Durham West 4-H Garden Club showing off their 

giant pumpkins. Background Images courtesy of Marie Stones : http://www.freedigitalscrapbooking.com 

6. 



IN ACTION 

sock snowman 

Thanks to Middlesex 4-H Volunteer Gloria Bannister for submitting this craft idea! 

Materials 

One (1) terry lined infant or child tube sock, for snowman body • One (1) infants ribbed 

sock, for snowman hat. Other items can be used such as a film case or felt • White rice • 

Fiberfill studding • String • 24’ florists wire • Fabric scraps for mittens and scarf • Orange 

pipe cleaner • Buttons or other items for eyes (use imagination) • Hot glue gun • Pencil • 

Scissors 

Instructions 

To make the snowman’s body: 

1. Turn terry lined sock inside out so the terry is on the outside 

and fill the sock ¾ full with approximately 1 ½ cups of rice. 

2. Using string, tie the sock at the top of the rice line to create a 

neck, and then stuff the top with fiberfill and tie off with string 

to create a head. 

To make the snowman’s arms: 

1. Twist the ends of two 12” wires together or use 24”. 

2. Leave 4” in the center straight and wind the ends around a 

pencil to create a spiral. 

3. Remove the pencil and twist the straight center around the 

neck; the coiled ends are now the snowman’s arms. 

To make the snowman’s nose, eyes, hat, and mittens: 

1. Cut a small piece orange pipe cleaner and bend it into a 

carrot shape for the nose. Glue to the head to create a nose. 

2. Cut two small pieces of fabric for mittens. Glue to the end of 

the coiled wire to create hands. 

3. Cut the ribbed infant sock to create the hat. Glue the cut end 

closed to create the top of the hat. Decorate the cut end with 

rolled up fabric. Glue the hat to the top of the snowman’s 

head. 

4. Tie a 1” X13” piece of fabric around the snowman’s neck to 

create a scarf. 

5. Glue on items for eyes and buttons, and any other flare you 

would like to add to your snowman. 

With knowledgeable staff, we can give you the advice 

you need on fitting, grooming, and showing. 

Call today and we can give you information on our 

next Beef Calf Camp! 

Everything you need this show season is at RK! 

Halters, brushes, combs, 

clippers, blades, grooming aids & more. 

We have the products to 

develop a winning project! 

Call today for mail-order Catalogue 

Phone: 800-440-2694 

Fax: 519-638-3128 

RR#1 Moorefield Ont. N0G 2K0 

Email: rkanimalsupplies@xplornet.com 

Website: www.rkanimalsupplies.com 

Name: 

Address: 

Phone Number: 

Email Address: 

Send in your ballot along with a photo of you 

using an RK Pure Product and you’ll be entered 

for a chance to win a free Clipper Caddy. 

Check which applies: 

Beef ⁯ Dairy⁯ Horse⁯Goat⁯ Sheep⁯

MESSAGES 

Ontario 4-H Council 

Take advantage of 

any opportunity you 

can. You deserve to 

have as many opportunities 

as the 4-H Members you 

work with.” 

THANK YOU 4-H VOLUNTEERS 

by Shonna Ward, Ontario 4-H Council President 

Over the years I have seen the 

passion and dedication 4-H Volunteers 

give to delivering the 4-H program in 

their communities. The 4-H program is 

what it is today because of Volunteers’ 

efforts. Youth need strong role models 

in the community to provide guidance 

so they too can become conscious, 

contributing citizens. The Ontario 4-H 

Council values the commitment of 

all the 4-H Volunteers in Ontario. As 

Directors, we are all 4-H Volunteers 

and know the time, effort and passion 

volunteering requires. We sincerely 

thank you for your contributions. 

Over the last 96 years the 4-H 

program has flourished into a youth 

program that also focuses on the 

Volunteer experience. It provides the 

opportunity to share your talent and 

knowledge with the youth in your 

community, but it also presents many 

opportunities for personal growth and 

fulfillment. Because Volunteers are 

such an integral component of the 4-H 

program, we want to ensure you also 

have an enriching 4-H experience. 

Take advantage of any opportunity 

you can. You deserve to have as many 

opportunities as the 4-H Members you 

work with. To demonstrate the reach 

of 4-H, I’d like to share some of the 

opportunities 4-H has given me. 

My experiences chaperoning a Go 

For The Gold team, 4-H Exchange 

and the National Citizenship Seminar 

were all rewarding and I will cherish 

the memories I made for the rest of my 

life. The Alberta Leaders Conference 

and the National Citizenship 

Seminar provided me with a fantastic 

professional development opportunity. 

Of course, the 4-H Ontario Conference 

and Annual Meeting is another great 

opportunity I’ve participated in. The 

conference is a great time to meet and 

talk with other 4-H Volunteers from 

across the province. Through all of 

these opportunities I have made 4-H 

friends from across Canada who I see 

and talk to throughout the year. 

One of my most unique 4-H 

opportunities happened just last 

month. I attended a reception to meet 

Ted McMeekin, the new Minister of 

Agriculture. I was very honoured to 

fasten a 4-H Ontario pin on his jacket 

to show the support the Ontario 

Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural 

Affairs gives to 4-H Ontario. 

Each and every Volunteer gives an 

amazing gift of sharing their time, 

talents and knowledge with Members, 

fellow Volunteers and the entire 

4-H family. They are the key to the 

4-H program. Remember to take 

some time to take advantage of the 

opportunities available to you. You 

never know where it will take you. 

Ontario 4-H Council Directors 

Beverly Agar • Kelly Barclay • Darrell Bergsma • John den Haan, Vice President • Angie Fairfield • Ashley Hall, Director - Youth • Sandra Hanes • Melanie 

Lang, Director - Community • Patty Lasby - Past President • Dave McNichols • Brian O’Neill • Shirley Tomlinson • Anne Verhallen, Director at Large • 

Shonna Ward, President • Kim Hooey, National Youth Advisory Committee Rep 


Ontario 4-H Foundation 

4-H has always been 

a special part of 

Bryan’s life, so at his 

retirement party, Bryan asked 

donations be made to the 

Lambton 4-H Association via 

the Ontario 4-H Foundation.” 

THANK YOU BRYAN AND FRIENDS 

by Peter Brown, Ontario 4-H Foundation Chair 

I’d like to take this opportunity to 

spotlight Bryan Boyle. Bryan utilized 

his retirement celebration as a unique 

opportunity to raise funds for 4-H. 

Bryan saw his retirement as a great 

time to give back to the 4-H program 

and we are very grateful he thought of 

4-H for his innovative contribution. 

Bryan’s path intersected with 4-H 

constantly throughout his early life 

and career. In his youth, he was 

a 4-H Member in Bruce County 

where he participated in fifteen beef, 

grain and other projects. During his 

University summers, he worked as 

a Leadership Co-ordinator assisting 

with many Regional and Provincial 

4-H and Junior Farmer camps. When 

he entered his working years as 

Assistant and Associate Agricultural 

Representative in Peterborough 

County, he acted as the OMAFRA 

4-H Program Co-ordinator spending 

many of his evenings attending local 

4-H meetings and events. During this 

time, Bryan used his unique creativity 

in running several 4-H Clubs that were 

quite inventive at the time such as a 

vet, research techniques, and even a 

bachelor survival Club. 

Later Bryan moved to Lambton 

County as Agricultural Representative 

where he spent the balance of this 

career firmly dedicated to agriculture, 

working with Lambton County farm 

organizations and assisting farm 

families. Bryan was instrumental in the 

agriculture community. His hard work 

and dedication did not go unnoticed. 

The people of Lambton have a deep 

respect and love for Bryan and are 

truly appreciative of his contributions. 

4-H has always been a special part of 

Bryan’s life, so at his retirement party, 

Bryan asked donations be made to 

the Lambton 4-H Association via the 

Ontario 4-H Foundation. On top of this 

initiative, Bryan also set up a table at 

his celebration and had Volunteers 

available to receive donations to 

4-H from other attendees. “I never 

dreamt they would raise so much,” 

Bryan explained. Seventy-nine other 

individuals stepped forward to make 

gifts to 4-H. In total the evening 

honouring his retirement raised 

$6,628.23. Bryan, the Lambton 4-H 

Association and the Ontario 4-H 

Foundation are extremely thankful to 

the families of Lambton County for 

their contributions. 

4-H Ontario would like to extend a 

very special thank you to Bryan. What 

a great career and a wonderful life 

so far, with so much of it dedicated 

to furthering agriculture and assisting 

4-H. Bryan is a great example of a 

person who took a creative approach 

to 4-H fundraising. You too can make 

your own unique gift to 4-H when the 

time is right. 

Ontario 4-H Foundation Trustees 

Peter Brown, Chair • Nancy Brown-Andison • Ron Bolton • Peter Cameron • Joanne Currie • Ralph Dietrich • Susan Humphries • Robert Larmer • Terry 

Malcolm • Rory McAlpine • Dr. Rob McLaughlin, Vice Chair • David Rose • Tim Ross • Bert Stewart • Rod Stork, Past Chair • Jim Wadleigh • 

The Hon. Lyle Vanclief, P.C. 


23

BE IN THE KNOW: 

Publication Mail Agreement #40022887 

LEADERSHIP 

In Action 


The Future Looks Bright! 

All 4-H Volunteers are invited to attend 4-H Ontario’s Volunteer 

Conference and Annual Meeting on March 23 – 25, 2012 at 

the Waterloo Inn and Conference Centre. Region 2 is hosting a 

conference that’s sure to rejuvenate and excite you. Attend the 

Annual Meeting, your pick of great workshops and meet other 

passionate 4-H Volunteers from across Ontario. Check out the 

website for more details: 4-HOntario.ca/cam 

Become a 2012 Ambassador 

4-H Ontario is looking for its next set of Ambassadors. If you 

are a keen Senior 4-H Member aged 17-21 you should apply! 

Ambassadors represent 4-H Ontario at a variety of events 

across the province. The application deadline is December 

31st, 2011. Check out 4-HOntario.ca/ambassadors 

Where Do You Want to Have Dinner 

Tickets for the 4-H Ontario Dream Dinner Lottery are now 

available (LOTTERY LICENCE #M644571 LICENSEE: 

ONTARIO 4-H COUNCIL). Tickets are $100 and a maximum 

of 750 tickets will be sold. Proceeds generated from the lottery 

help support 4-H Ontario’s Conference and Annual Meeting, 

Volunteer Symposiums, and resource development. Download 

the order form at 4-HOntario.ca/ddl 

Future Leaders In Action 

Future Leaders In Action (FLIA) is back and filling up fast! 

This fantastic week long camp for Senior 4-H Members will be 

running March 10-13, 2012 at Camp Kawartha in Peterborough. 

Go to 4-HOntario.ca/flia to book your spot! 

2012 

Check your mailboxes in late January. 

The 2012 Special Edition Leadership In Action is 

coming soon. It’s your guide to the 4-H year so 

you don’t want to miss it! 

THANK YOU 

A special thanks to every 4-H Member, 

Volunteer, Alumnus, parent, sponsor, 

donor and supporter for making 2011 a 

memorable 4-H year. See you in 2012. 

JOIN TODAY 

Ok. We’ve caught your attention and now 

you want to learn more. Call 1-877-410- 

6748 or email inquries@4-hontario.ca to 

be connected with 4-H in your area. 

4-HOntario.ca 

facebook.com/4HOntario 

twitter.com/4HOntario 

Return undeliverable addresses to: 

4-H ONTARIO 

5653 Hwy 6 North, RR5, 

Guelph | ON N1H 6J2 

communications@4-hontario.ca

leadership - 4-H Ontario

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