2017 is a big year for our country but it is also a big anniversary for 4H Saskatchewan.
 
This year marks the organization's centennial, having established themselves as a largely agricultural club in 1917.  Tammy Rumpel, a board member for 4H Saskatchewan and a local parent with children actively in the program, said 4H has come a long way in 100 years and offers many different interests beyond livestock and agriculture.
 
"We have expanded, we have over 50 projects now.  Everything from jewelry making to welding," Rumpel said.
 
Megan Rosso came up in 4H and is currently a junior leader with the Old Wives beef club, as well as the vice president of the Moose Jaw Inter-4H Show and Sale that took place at the Hometown Fair.
 
"The 4 H's are:  heads, heart, hands, and health.  Our pledge: 'I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands for larger service, and my health for better living for my club, my community, and my country.'  So we do our project and it's something that you are interested in, there's lots of projects and you can do anything that you have an interest, but it is also about learning to do by doing," she explained.
 
Rosso went on to describe the program as more than just projects, saying that members learn lifeskills like team work, running meetings, record keeping, and public speaking.  She added that opportunities for travel can also arise and that when she was in 4H, she was selected to attend seminars in places such as Winnipeg and Ottawa.
 
Rumpel said that to add to the celebration of 4H Saskatchewan's 100th years of service, there are a couple of special events that will take place, including a come-and-go event for alumni at Agribition in the Queensbury Center in November.
 
She added, "Another cool thing that is going on is the Global 4H Summit is being held in Canada this year and so we will have people from all over the world coming to Ottawa to celebrate Canada150 and to have a coming together of all the 4Hers across the world."
 
Rumpel explained that all of the continents will be represented at the Summit, including third world countries who are getting their agricultural base started and are now getting into 4H programs, getting their kids involved.
 
For more information about programs and events in and around the Moose Jaw area, you can check out their website here.