Today is National Show Your 4-H Colours Day
By Diego Flammini
News Reporter
Farms.com
People and landmarks from coast to coast are decked out in green today to celebrate National Show Your 4-H Colours Day.
The day is an opportunity for communities to show appreciation for local 4-H clubs and their volunteers. The clubs have many positive impacts on their 25,000 members across the country.
In Ontario, there are about 6,000 4-H members. Each member has a unique story to share about how 4-H has played an important role in his/her life.
“Today is a day where we can shout from the rooftops that we’re proud to be 4-Hers,” Brad Found, a hog producer from Durham East and president of the Ontario 4-H Council, told Farms.com today.
L to R: Lindsay Bebbington, Shannon Muir, Sara Harper, Ryan Metivier and Jennifer Christie
“I used to be the shy kid who would hide behind his mom’s leg. But being involved in 4-H has given me the knowledge, know-how and courage to become a more confident person. I’m able to give that back to my community.”
National Show Your 4-H Colours Day also acts as a conversation starter for those who are unfamiliar with 4-H, says Mary Fraser, a member of the Wellington County 4-H club.
“Today allows us to spread the message of what the 4-H program is so that people know what we do and that we’re volunteers,” she said. “We also get to spread our motto, ‘learn to do by doing.’ That’s what we do – with our head, heart, health and hands.”
Many sites across Canada, including the High Level Bridge in Edmonton, Alta.’s, the “TORONTO” sign in downtown Toronto, and Charlottetown City Hall in P.E.I., will be lit up green in recognition of the celebration.
The program’s diversity to include people from all neighbourhoods is one of its best qualities says Sara Harper, event coordinator with Ontario 4-H.
“There’s something for everybody,” she said. “Our resource guide includes a variety of clubs for people to join, like livestock clubs, photography clubs and paintball clubs. You don’t have to come from a farm to participate. I’ve only been with 4-H for about 10 months and I’ve already had opportunities to do so many great things.”
Sara Harper's outfit perfectly showed off 4-H's signature colour.
Another benefit of 4-H, especially for urban residents, is that it can act as a gateway into agriculture for people interested in learning about food production, Harper added.
4-Hers are encouraged to upload their National Show Your 4-H Colours Day photos to social media and use the hashtag #ShowYour4HColours.