4-H 4-U

Resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn and more. We are joined by Leslie Noble, Program Director at 4-H Canada to chat all things job hunting and career resources. In this episode you'll hear tips for tailoring your resume and cover letter to the job you want, ways to build and utilize your LinkedIn profile to its full advantage and resources you can access through 4-H Canada's Careers On The Grow. 

4-H Canada’s Careers on the Grow is a career development program where you can explore career paths, apply your skills, and gain hands-on work experience. Until October 25, submit your application to the E-Mentorship program where you can gain valuable career advice from an experienced professional to help you and learn about different industries and work toward your career goals.

In honour of World Mental Health Day on Monday October 10, we welcomed the In The Know team from CMHA Ontario to discuss Agriculture Wellness Ontario. Agriculture Wellness Ontario is a suite of programs designed to ensure farmers are getting mental health support where and when they need it. In this episode, Lindsay Bebbington, Program Manager, In The Know and Adriana Van Oostveen, Program Coordinator, In The Know discuss the suite's three programs:

1. The Farmer Wellness Initiative - a free individual counselling service (1-866-267-6255)

2. The Guardian Network - a volunteer suicide prevention network

3. In The Know - a mental health literacy workshop tailored to the agricultural community. 

We also discuss the importance of taking care of your mental health, along with why these supports are so unique to the agricultural community. 

Farm to skin you say? That's right. In this episode we chat with Julie Thurgood-Burnett, first generation farmer and owner of Hereward Farm, a lavender farm located in East Garafraxa, Ontario. At Hereward Farm, they not only grow lavender but use it to create their own products, crafted and sold on the same site they are grown. Julie shares about her family, the learning that comes with owning a farm and small business and advice for those interested in becoming first generation farmers. 

Did you know the 2022 topic of the Amber Underwood Memorial News Competition is," How does 4-H impact your community?" Joining us to discuss 4-H in the community and share heartfelt stories are Paulette Macdonald, volunteer and Hannah Ethier, youth from the Sudbury 4-H Association. Paulette and Hannah have been part of many community involvement projects within the Sudbury 4-H Association and have a wealth of experience when it comes to community initiatives. In fact, their community club is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2022. Tune in as they reminisce on some of their favourite memories and discuss the importance of 4-H in the community. 

About Hannah Ethier

Hannah Ethier has been a member of the Sudbury Clever Clovers 4-H Club since she was 10 years old. Now at 21 years old, Hannah is headed off to the University of Toronto to begin a second degree. Having loved the experiences she has been part of and memories I have made in 4-H over the last 12 years, she notes that she is "Really savouring this last year I get to be a 4-H member! 4-H has been a huge part of my life and I am very thankful I have gotten to be a part of many projects that engage our community in wonderful ways!"

About Paulette Macdonald

Paulette Macdonald started out in Renfrew County as a 4-H member and later, became a 4-H leader in the Arnprior area. After moving to the City of Sudbury, Paulette and her husband opened the Sudbury 4-H Club, the first truly urban 4-H club in Ontario. Paulette believes that creating a sense of inclusivity and belonging are the foundation to building community and that youth who have positive community experiences will, in turn, build community. Currently, the club, situated in Sudbury District, offers 4-5 projects annually, and manages the Westmount 4-H Club Community Garden and Shared Harvest program. 

Head, Heart, Hands and Health, a History of 4-H in Ontario was released in 1994 as part of the celebration of 4-H Ontario's 80th anniversary. Did you know that when this book was written in 1994 that the province was divided into 16 council regions? In this episode we read from the history chapters of regions 3 (Algoma, Sudbury, Manitoulin), 4 (Parry Sound, Nipissing, Muskoka) and 5 (Renfrew, Ottawa-Carleton, Lanark). 

To hear about regions 1 and 2, circle back to season 2, episode 8. 

In the latest episode, Kathryn Lambert from the 4-H Ontario programming joins us to discuss the virtual provincial judging competition on now until August 15. 4-H'ers ages 6-21 can take part in this virtual competition to test their critical thinking skills. There are eight categories to judge ranging from dairy heifers to birthday cakes. Find out more in the virtual judging competition handbook. For the best experience on the judging platform, use a Chrome browser (can be downloaded here.)

The 4-H Ontario provincial virtual judging competition is sponsored by Kubota Canada Ltd. 

Did you know 4-H volunteers can be facilitators at provincial programming opportunities? In this episode, long time 4-H facilitator, Justin Williams joins us to chat about his experience as a 4-H facilitator. Justin is a 4-H volunteer from the Prince Edward 4-H Association who has been a facilitator at 4-H's Youth Adventure Camp for more than a decade. He walks us through a day in the life of a 4-H facilitator at Youth Adventure Camp, some memorable moments and why volunteers should become 4-H facilitators themselves. 

Learn more about being a 4-H facilitator and other ways you can get involved as a 4-H volunteer on our website - https://4-hontario.ca/volunteers/volunteer-positions/ 

4-H Ontario is still looking for bus chaperones to help with Youth Adventure Camp 2022. If you are interested, please contact Nicole French by email at [email protected] 

Join the 4-H Ontario communications team as they discuss all things social media as it relates to the promotion of 4-H. In this episode you'll learn tips and tricks for understanding your audience and leave with some ideas for content creation as a 4-H association, volunteer or parent looking to share their 4-H story. Interested in joining the 4-H Canva account to gain access to branded templates that can be used to promote 4-H in your area? Sign up using the form on our website. 

Learn about each of the 4-H Ontario communication team members:

Laura Goulding, Manager, Communications

Over her three year tenure with 4-H, she has developed a great understanding for effective communication and marketing strategies. She comes to 4-H with a degree and diploma from the University of Guelph-Humber with a specialization in public relations and experience in community engagement within Indigenous communities across Ontario.

Nitasha Asnani, Coordinator, Communications

Nitasha earned her degree and diploma in media communications, specializing in public relations from the University of Guelph-Humber. She is a passionate storyteller with a love for helping people and experienced in all things communications.

Rachel Woolsey, Communications, Assistant

Rachel earned her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Guelph in Marketing Management and Sustainable Business. She is driven by her passion to communicate with people and make all communications accessible. She also loves the outdoors and being an active participant in her local community.

Joined by Gillian Flies of The New Farm, the first farm in Canada to be certified regenerative organic agriculture. Regenerative agriculture is a way of producing food that leaves the soil healthier than it was while improving environmental impact. The New Farm is located in Creemore, Ontario and was established by Gillian and her partner, Brent 15 years ago when they moved from Toronto with a goal of cultivating the type of healthy food they wanted to give their children, all while contributing to the environment. 

In this episode Gillian discusses regenerative agriculture and its benefits, along with other resources for people looking to learn more. Please see links below to more information: 

Farmers for Climate Solutions

The New Farm

GILLIAN FLIES, CANADIAN FOOD PRODUCER AND REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE ADVOCATE, NAMED AS IICA “LEADER OF RURALITY”

In this episode we welcome Joseph Carrubba to the 4-H podcast to discuss his experience as a new 4-H volunteer. Joseph became a 4-H volunteer in 2021 and serves as the Coordinator, Communications within the Middlesex 4-H Association, wearing many hats in his role. 

Joseph says, "I am proud to be the Communications Coordinator for Middlesex 4-H Association.  I strive to effectively promote our brand through marketing, media and public relations, communications and other channels.  I enjoy motivating those I interact with so they may follow their passions. By being themselves and by elevating others to be the best version of themselves they can be."

Looking to become a 4-H volunteer? Visit the Become a Volunteer page on our website.