Youth projects boost food security sustainability and community impact
Young members of 4H clubs across Canada are showing strong leadership by addressing major challenges in agriculture, food security, and sustainability. Through the AgriFood Challenge, organized by 4H Canada in partnership with Syngenta Canada, youth developed practical solutions that directly benefit their communities.
Participants worked individually or in groups to create meaningful projects. These included building bee hotels to support pollinators, growing fresh produce for food banks, and teaching communities about cooking, food preservation, and reducing waste. Many projects also focused on soil health experiments and food rescue awareness, showing a strong connection between agriculture and environmental care.
“This is a testament to the skills and talents of 4-H'ers. When given the chance to be innovative, they can solve difficult problems” said Christina Franc, CEO of 4-H Canada. “The projects submitted to the competition show how youth leadership, community service, and agricultural knowledge can come together to make a real impact.”
A total of 13 winning projects were selected through a national review process. Each winner received $500 to continue their efforts. The evaluation considered creativity, community impact, teamwork, and learning outcomes.
Winners included:
In Newfoundland and Labrador, I. Sullivan created a Bee Hotel, while the Challenging Pioneers worked on Helping Harvest.
Ontario had multiple winners, including Lombardy Spice of Life 4H Club with Ginger Spice Share, Sault Ste. Marie 4H Club with Common Ground at Emmanuel Community Garden, Waterloo Wellington Dining on a Dime 4H Club focusing on reducing food waste, Hanover 4H Sheep Club with Soil Your Undies, and Waterloo Region 4H measuring rescued food by energy instead of weight.
In Manitoba, The Pas Helping Hands worked on From Club to Community to Kitchen to Table, and Balmoral 4H Club introduced Meet the Pollinators.
Nova Scotia winners included Hardwood Lands 4H Club with Bee Hotels and Shumil with Christmas Cheer For All.
In British Columbia, Pitt River Beef Lamb and Swine highlighted The Power of Pollinators, while in Prince Edward Island, Kensington 4H Club led Potato Gleaning with Meaning.
"These young people are showing us what's possible when we invest in youth-led innovation," said Christina Stroud, Head of Corporate Affairs, Syngenta Canada. "Their hands-on approach to engaging in food security and sustainability reflects the kind of creative thinking that makes our future feel promising. Syngenta is committed to supporting the next generation of problem-solvers who will shape the future of Canadian agriculture."
This initiative highlights how young people are shaping the future of agriculture while strengthening communities across Canada.
Photo Credit: 4-H; 4-H kids with Bee Hotels