4-H Sask. further postpones in-person events

Despite postponements, the organization is offering alternative ways to continue 4-H programs

When COVID-19 began to evolve in March, 4-H Saskatchewan’s board of directors decided to postpone all in-person events starting March 16 until April 13. Now, as of April 13, events have been postponed further until June 15.

“The health, safety and security of our members, leaders and families is our top priority,” said Jodi Schellenberg, programs and communications specialist for 4-H Sask.

The board will continue monitoring the COVID-19 situation and revisit the issue at the beginning of June. If the restrictions placed by the federal and provincial governments start to lift before June, however, the board will re-evaluate their options, said Schellenberg.

The postponements mean events such as achievement days and public speaking are not happening and have changed how 4-H members will complete their year, said Schellenberg.

“We recognize the hard work that all our members dedicate to the program and we're aware of the disruption it's going to cause to their achievement day and show season,” she said.

Shows held before June 15 have the option to cancel the events, do an online show or hold events after June 15. And shows that are scheduled to take place after June 15 are continuing to plan for the event, said Schellenberg.

“If a show is cancelled, clubs will then to have the option to have their own club show and sale this year, which is a little bit different from most years. We also have some documents that we've created and put on the website for how to host your own club show and sale because clubs generally don't do that,” Schellenberg told Farms.com.

Members will also be allowed to sell their animals privately this year, as this usually happens at regional show and sales.

The organization’s regional 4-H specialists have also come up with a list of digital options that clubs can use to showcase members’ project work.

“Clubs are using video conferencing to have meetings. They're even completing some projects online by using video challenges, which is really cool,” said Schellenberg. “We also created what we're calling, Exploring 4-H at Home. So, we have an online Facebook group for 4-H members and leaders. Each week we post ideas they can do at home under each of the 4-H Canada leadership pillars: science and technology, environment and health living, communication and community engagement, and sustainable agriculture and food security.”

4-H Saskatchewan is looking forward to seeing how members will use the new digital options and how members from across the province are embracing the new digital world and are living the 4-H motto.

“We ask 4-Hers to follow the 4-H pledge and remember 4-H doesn't just happen in the show ring. It happens everywhere. As our motto is ‘Learning to Do by Doing’ we're hoping they master new skills, develop leadership and plan and make decisions,” said Schellenberg. “We'll come together by staying apart for our club, community, country and the world.”