4-H British Columbia – Golden has an exciting new opportunity for young people interested in hands-on learning — 4-H is coming to town!
Leading the charge is Shelby Hansen, the local team leader bringing 4-H to the community. With a strong background in agriculture and a desire to create meaningful experiences for Golden’s youth, Hansen is eager to establish a club that will offer valuable skills, mentorship, and community engagement.
Tell us a little bit about yourself, how long have you been in Golden?
I was born and raised on Vancouver Island and ever since joining 4-H as a preteen, agriculture played a huge role in my life; whether it’s working on farms, volunteering at the fairs/rodeos, or just helping a friend with their animals.
With the island’s fast-growing population in recent years, I grew claustrophobic and decided to explore the Kootenays and some of Alberta; I’ve found a draw to the Kootenays, much like agriculture; the love for it never leaves you. So I’ve now found myself in Golden this past year and I don’t intend on leaving anytime soon.
What is your experience with 4H?
I joined 4H with my sister as preteens, starting with everyone’s go-to beginner project, poultry; then we moved up to goats, beef, and swine. I loved the people, community and excitement 4-H provided that when I grew too old to be a member, I became a swine leader for several years.
What inspired the idea of bringing a 4-H Club to Golden?
Agriculture is my passion and I didn’t see an obvious community here, so I figured I’d create one! I feel it’d be beneficial for people like me who love the outdoors and are creative but don’t quite fit in with the hardcore mountain sports or art community.
Who is eligible to join the 4-H Club in Golden?
Right now, we are taking kids 9-21 years old. If this year goes well and we can find a leader for it, we will set up a “Cloverbuds Club” which allows for ages 5-8 years old. Volunteers and leaders must be 18 years or older.
What are some of the skills and experiences kids can gain from joining?
The 4-H motto is “Learn to do by doing”. Kids will gain a plethora of skills such as critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, basic financial literacy, leadership, organization, goal setting, teamwork and much more.
There are youth camps, international exchanges, judging rallies, provincial speech competitions etc etc. Teenagers can also gain high school credits and even scholarships exclusively through this program!
What types of projects will members be able to take on? (e.g., livestock, gardening, cooking, leadership, etc.)
4-H offers more than livestock projects; they’ve expanded their list of projects to help include people who live in more urban areas. Poultry, rabbit, cavy, sheep, goat, swine, beef, dairy, small engines, gardening, photography, art, cooking, leadership, bicycle, wool art and that’s just to name a few. See the full list on the BC 4-H website.
How much of a time commitment is involved for participants and parents?
Clubs meet once a month and then time commitment varies depending on which project(s) you decide to pursue.
4-H will benefit Golden in the long run by fostering community engagement and developing well-rounded young citizens. 4H will also help grow our local agriculture community.
How do you see 4-H benefiting Golden in the long run?
4-H is run by people who volunteer their time and resources; you can get involved by volunteering at our fundraisers, and events, teaching an informative class or becoming a leader/mentor for a certain project. If you don’t have the time but want to support our club, there are still many ways you can do that; by donating money or equipment, becoming a club sponsor, or offering discounts to members. We also have an account at the local Return-it depot under the name of Golden 4-H if you’d like to donate your bottles and cans.
How can community members get involved, either as volunteers or supporters?
If you want to have a clear and comprehensive understanding of 4-H and the massive community it inspires, come to our big, one-time event coming up this Sunday, March 23rd from 12 – 4 pm at Parson Hall. We’re honoured to have the president of BC 4-H speaking and other 4-H alumni travelling from all over to attend this event so we can answer all of your questions and help with registration. Bring your kids! We encourage other 4-H alumni to attend as well!
Admission is $5/person to help cover the cost of renting the hall.
