Alberta 4-H develops leadership, communication, technical and life skills

Values and History

The 4-H Motto . . .

"Learn to do by doing"

Learning through experience is a key objective of 4-H. At all levels of 4-H, members are encouraged to learn through active participation.

The 4-H Pledge is . . .

I pledge

My head to clearer thinking,
My heart to greater loyalty,
My hands to larger service,
And my health to better living,
For my club, my community, and my country.

Our Philosophy . . .

4-H is young people and adults learning project and life skills, cooperating and having fun together, sharing leadership and learning to do by doing.

Our Mission . . .

To achieve the 4-H program vision by effectively managing resources.

Our Vision . . .

Alberta 4-H develops leadership, communication, technical and life skills of 4-H members and leaders to strengthen communities.

Our History . . .

4‑H has been an integral part of Alberta communities since 1917, with deep-rooted history and tradition that stems back to the efforts of individuals that formed the very first club for boys and girls (later called 4‑H) in our province.

Though each decade since our beginning has brought with it new challenges and milestones, the simple vision that started 4‑H has endured the test of time, making us one of Alberta's most recognized and valued youth programs.

Our Values . . .

developing technical skills and knowledge of the agricultural industry in rural youth and adult volunteers
development of leadership in rural communities
fostering entrepreneurial skills in youth
developing and supporting communication and effective teamwork skills among youth and adults
high quality customer services
providing products and services in response to client feedback and industry needs
providing state-of-the-art products and services using resources in the most cost effective manner (individual, corporate, government and client fees)
self-reliant volunteer leaders, clubs and councils
supporting and achieving the department business plan
viable partnerships

Our Strategic Plan . . .

Representatives from the 4-H partners, committees, and councils met in January 2007 to review the current state of 4-H in Alberta and set the strategic direction for the upcoming five year period. The document below is the result of this collaborative effort, and will help to guide the 4-H and Agriculture Education Branch, Alberta 4-H Council and 4-H Foundation of Alberta in their plans and actions over the coming years.

Alberta 4-H Strategic Plan

Timeline

1990 | 1980 | 1970 | 1960 | 1950 | 1940 | 1930 | 1920 | 1917

2007	Alberta 4-H celebrates its 90th anniversary
2006	Career and Technology Studies (CTS) is approved - 4-H can officially be used towards high school credits
2005	Key Member Program was launched Alberta 4-H Magazine became the primary publication Opened 4-H Time Capsule buried at the Alberta 4-H Centre in 1980; buried another time capsule to be opened in 2030
2004	Visual Arts pilot project launched 4-H Fun pack, Meeting pack, Music pack and Marketing pack is available to clubs
2003	Theater Arts project developed Provincial 4‑H Presentations first held
2001	Bison project material available
2000	Students in Agriculture Award program was launched with a cheque for ($1 million dollars) being received by the 4‑H Foundation of Alberta from Alberta Agriculture Exchange project introduced
1997	Alternative Livestock (Llama and Alpaca, Bison, Ostrich and Rhea) projects introduced
1996	Entrepreneur project introduced
1995	Minimum age to become a member was lowered from 10 to 9
1994	Grant MacEwan Environmental Centre at Battle Lake was opened Key Leader Program was launched
1993	The Cloverleaf Quarterly was launched as the primary publication for 4‑H families
1992	Showcase 92, a celebration of 75 years of 4‑H in Alberta, was held in Calgary
1989	4‑H Radio spots involving 4‑H members first broadcasted 4‑H Ambassador Program launched
1988	Awards of Excellence - Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum were introduced as part of the ATB Financial Program The People Developing People program was launched
1987	Dorm facility was opened at Battle Lake
1984	Lodge opened its doors for camping at Battle Lake Computer project introduced
1980	The Leadership through Counseling Seminar evolved through an amalgamation of counselor training weekends and Junior Leadership Seminar Time Capsule buried at the Alberta 4‑H Centre during a rally '4‑H News Roundup' a radio broadcast which lasted until 1988 broadcast 4‑H news across Alberta
1979	First 4‑H camp held at the 4‑H Centre Horse Sense was established now known as Horse Classic
1978	Canine project is available
1977	143 acres of natural land was purchased at Battle Lake to develop the Alberta 4‑H Centre 60th anniversary of 4‑H celebrated at the Alberta 4‑H Centre Camp programs first held at the Alberta 4‑H Centre Provincial Multi Species Judging Seminar started First Provincial Public Speaking competitions were held Highway Cleanup started Provincial Beef Heifer Show was initiated Pheasant project was initiated in partnership with Fish and Wildlife Range management project created
1976	The 4‑H Foundation of Alberta was created to facilitate the acquisition of property to build a 4‑H facility which would provide the base for the personal development of Alberta's rural youth The 4‑H program was transferred back to Alberta Agriculture under the Home Economics and 4‑H Branch
1974	The 4‑H Alberta/NWT Ag development tour is started A new department, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife, became the new government home for 4‑H Apiculture project was introduced
1973	Canine project was started
1972	Speech Arts, Small Engine and Snowmobile projects introduced
1971	The Alberta 4‑H Council officially formed The 4‑H Hall of Fame was instituted The minimum age to become a 4‑H member was lowered from 12 to 10 Crafts, Outdoorsman, Rabbit, Veterinary Science and Woodworking were approved as new projects 4‑H became a part of the government department of Culture, Youth and Recreation
1970	Junior Leader, self determined, and photography projects launched
1967	Alberta celebrated its 50th Anniversary - A Centennial 4‑H Jamboree that had 3,000 of Alberta's 9,000 club members participating A Cairn was unveiled and a tree was planted to commemorate 50 years of 4‑H work at Olds College An automotives project for members 14 and older was started The tractor project was introduced
1966	Light Horse project was introduced Alberta 4‑H Conservation Camp started (discontinued in 1997)
1964	Multi project Clubs were introduced Award trips for leaders were introduced Premiers Award was first presented to an outstanding 4‑H member
1963	The first regional council - Edmonton (involving three district councils) started In celebration of 50 years of 4‑H in Canada, the Royal Bank sponsored an Inter-provincial 4‑H Exchange which still continues today
1962	4‑H Club Time a weekly 4‑H television program was launched 4‑H adopted the green and white colors Sugar Beets and Sweet Corn projects started
1961	4‑H returned to Agriculture's Extension Branch
1959	Advanced beef projects were introduced First use of junior judges (4‑H members and alumni) at livestock achievement days - emphasis on junior leadership and training
1958	Beef project expanded to include carcass grading and ribbon branding
1957	Provincial Selections program established to select Alberta 4‑H Award winners (initially called Provincial Eliminations, Changed to Provincial Competitions now named Selections) The 4‑H pledge was officially adopted
1954	The motto, 'Learn to do by Doing' first used
1952	Both Canadian Council and Alberta changed to use the name 4‑H First Alumni club organized at U of A campus First District Council was organized in Camrose
1950	Clubs decided to have official uniforms
1947	First Provincial Dairy Show was held
1943	Adoption of the Name Alberta Junior Farm and Home Clubs Establishment of forage clubs and the Provincial Junior Seed Fair
1942	Club Week program was established and held at Olds Poultry clubs were introduced
1941	First Leadership Conference involving club leaders was held at Olds Club members became responsible for running project/club meetings with "an opening, a business section, an educational session, and a fun session"
1940	Girls' Garden Club formed at Brooks Girls club work expanded to include clothing, foods and home decoration
1938	Formation of the Extension Branch within the Department of Agriculture
1937	First Beef Breeding project established in the St. Paul area
1932	Alberta Department of Agriculture accepted as a member of the Canadian Council on Boys' and Girls' Club Work
1931	Canadian Council on Boys' and Girls' Club Work was formed Field crops clubs resulted in the use of local volunteer leaders
1930	Objective written which confirmed the main purpose of club work was the training the rural youth received Grain project was started
1929	First name change to Boys' and Girls' Livestock clubs Dairy project introduced Poultry project introduced but not officially recognized until 1942
1925	First public speaking contests involving 81 participants took place. These contests were designed to "establish confidence and freedom of speech in girls and boys when appearing before large gatherings"
1924	Junior Farmers Club was organized Lethbridge district established the first sheep club
1923	Lethbridge District established the first beef club
1917	Mr. W. J. Elliott established the first club for boys and girls in Alberta The Olds Junior Pig Club (introduction of the swine project)

Email: info@4h.ab.ca