New recently-announced funding for 4-H clubs is good news for the agriculture community and the public-at-large, helping in part to support the safety and mental health for rural youth in this district and across the province.
Through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the federal and provincial governments are investing almost $800,000 into three 4-H Alberta programs.
Some of the funding is earmarked for the new the Agriculture Safety and Mental Health Workshop which incorporates farm safety and mental health through experiential programs like equine therapy in a new hands-on learning opportunity for rural and urban youth, say officials.
The new funding comes on top of $1 million in operating grants provided by the provincial government to 4-H clubs every year.
“4-H has a long, proud legacy of teaching kids skills they’ll use throughout their entire lives, from livestock care to public speaking and career development,” said RJ Sigurdson, minister of Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation.
Lawrence Macaulay, federal minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, added, “Through this shared investment in 4-H Alberta, I’m so pleaded to support their efforts to build connections between urban and rural kids, develop safety and mental health programming, and guide our agriculture sector into the future.”
The new funding will also support the ‘Intro to 4-H’ program, which helps build connections between urban and rural youth and local farmers and ranchers.
While it is great to see the province and federal government working together to support the future leaders of the agriculture industry in Alberta, it is especially encouraging to see the ongoing efforts to ensure that the overall well-being of farm community members continues to be a priority.
The many 4-H clubs in this district have been instrumental in producing the ranchers and farmers who through their skill and dedication lead, promote and guide the region’s vital agriculture industry.
As such, this new multi-government support of 4-H programs, including that aimed at promoting the mental health and well-being of future agriculture leaders, is great news for the community-at-large.
Dan Singleton is an editor with the Albertan.
