4-H earns support through good work with youth

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

It's not always easy balancing the books when you're a non-profit organization. But because of the important work it does in youth development, often with an agricultural focus, the Saskatchewan 4-H Council gets by with a little help from its friends.

As in past years, the council received a $300,000 grant this year from Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF).

"Saskatchewan 4-H is a trusted, respected organization in the province," said Lyle Stavness, Manager of Renewal Programming with SAF. "Its goals are in line with things SAF would like to promote and see continued in the province, such as working with youth and encouraging their interest in agricultural activities."

Stavness said there are a number of areas that the funding goes towards, including supporting 4-H local and regional club activities; specific projects undertaken by 4-H members at the club level; "4-H Leaders" programs, so that youth are able to receive leadership training and mentorship in a particular project area; and "4-H Extras" initiatives, such as public speaking competitions and livestock judging.

"The 4-H leadership is providing those activities to 4-H members, and SAF is providing support to see that those programs can get delivered," said Stavness.

In addition to the direct financial assistance, SAF provides considerable in-kind support to the organization. For example, the Saskatchewan 4-H Council head office is located in the SAF regional office in Saskatoon.

Stavness noted, "We understand what their strategic plan is and what they are trying to do in terms of working with youth and the agricultural side, and we support generally all of the initiatives that are there. So, SAF is supporting the development of youth through supporting 4-H in its programs."

Saskatchewan 4-H Council Executive Director Valerie Pearson says these contributions are essential to the council's continued operation. "As with most non-profits, managing the books is a challenge we face every year. We receive funding from three sources. We receive a grant from the department (SAF), we have membership fees that we receive from our members, and we receive funding from sponsors," Pearson said.

"We're very thankful for the government support. We receive that as cash, and then we also receive the in-kind support, which includes our office space. Without that, we wouldn't be here," she added.

Pearson said the SAF assistance actually enables 4-H to operate as an independent non-profit entity, rather than as an agency of government as is the case in many jurisdictions across Canada.

"We're one of the few provinces where the staff members are not government staff. In many provinces, 4-H is actually administered as an office of government. We're structured as a non-profit organization," she said.

"So we're very appreciative of the support we get from government. Without it, we wouldn't be around, certainly not as we are today."

For further information, contact:

Lyle Stavness, Manager of Renewal Programming
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 787-4323

Valerie Pearson, Executive Director
Saskatchewan 4-H Council
Phone: (306) 933-7729
Website: www.4-h.sk.ca