Federal government invests in Saskatchewan 4-H Council

Mar 24, 2015

The council will receive $350,000 annually

Saskatchewan’s 4-H Council is set to receive more than $1 million in total funding from the federal government under the Growing Forward 2 initiative within the next three years.

The council will receive about $350,000 per year to support the development of tomorrow’s leaders. The annual contribution is a $50,000 increase from the previous agreement.

The Saskatchewan 4-H Council (Hands, Heart, Head, Health) offers people between the ages of six and 25 opportunities to enhance their life skills and develop a better connection with their communities. The Ministry of Agriculture has been helping these youths realize their potential for more than two decades.

"Our Government is proud to support 4-H as they continue to inspire youth to achieve their potential and to become tomorrow’s community and business leaders,” said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz in a media release. “With their new ideas, fresh perspectives and optimism, youth leaders and young farmers keep Canada competitive by making agriculture an economic engine of the country, now and in the years to come.”

The funding from the government will go towards keeping their motto “Learn to do by doing” strong.

"As 4-H Saskatchewan’s 100th anniversary draws closer we are not only reflecting on the history of our organization but our future too," said Joanne Hamilton, President of Saskatchewan's 4-H Council. "Government support allows the Saskatchewan 4-H Council to continue to build a legacy of community service and youth development through our dedicated members and volunteers."

4-H councils across Canada consists of 11 provincial offices, nearly 2,000 clubs, more than 7,000 adult volunteers and over 25,000 members.

Join the conversation and tell us if you’re part of a 4-H council. If you aren’t already, is it something you might consider joining?

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

Video: Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.