This week is National 4-H Week in Canada.

Thousands of kids across Canada benefit from 4-H programming each year.

Ben Graham, chair of the Canadian 4-H Foundation says 4-H has an enormous impact on our youth.

"It's about team building, learning parliamentary procedure, how you run a meeting, and how to public speak. It's about how to manage projects, whether it's computers or dogs - canine, whether it's beef cattle. It's a real diverse opportunity for kids to learn skills that help them become better leaders and contributors to their community."

Beyond Ready is this year's theme for National 4-H Week.

Graham notes 4-H Canada has launched a major fundraising campaign this year  "Tomorrow needs 4-H, Today 4-H needs you."

He says funding changes from the Federal and in some cases Provincial governments has left the organization looking for help in order to keep up the quality of programming they offer to youth.

'I think the opportunity for 4H just to create better humans is beyond belief and that's why you know, Canada needs more 4H's is something we wanted to rally around."

The overall goal is $1 million, but they'd like to surpass it. 

He points the funding is very important when you look at the programs that are out there, both nationally and provincially, and their goal to enhance them and ensure they can maintain the quality of the curriculum and the numbers that can attend  the programs

According to Graham, there will be dollars available that will hit the rank and file for the programs across the country through this initiative, it's a really important element to build a strong foundation.

"We believe that this program is so valuable to our youth that we want to make sure that we have the wherewithal whether there's government funding or not. That's why we're calling out to individuals and companies across the country to do what they can for the organization. There's very few other initiatives in this country where a donation can have such a direct impact on the quality of life of our youth and their ability to contribute to the communities and societies they live in."