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Lieutenant Governor honoured by 4-H BC


by Jenna Duke, 4-H BC Special Events Co-ordinator The weather could not have been better, September 23, for


the Canada 150 celebration at the Peninsula Country Market in Saanich. People of all ages came out to enjoy the sunshine and visit various market vendors and view 4-H member projects. It was a great


4-H BC GINA HAAMBUCKERS


opportunity for the surrounding community to learn more about the


4-H program and to interact with both members and leaders. 4-H member projects included sheep, goats, small engine, robotics, fibre art, photography, honey bee and poultry. In addition, there was a special guest appearance by BC Lieutenant Governor (and patron of 4-H) Judith Guichon and Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands. Guichon was presented with an honorary lifetime 4-H membership for her work over the years with 4-H. Her involvement began as a 4-H leader in the Nicola Valley and has continued in her current position as a strong advocate for the program and for agriculture. Following the presentation, Guichon and May led the singing of Happy Birthday, then cut the first slice of cake before the Lieutenant Governor took time to stop by each 4-H booth and learn more about the individual projects. She was very impressed with all the hard work done by the members. The 4-H BC office would like to recognize those who assisted


in organizing this memorable day: Susy-Chung Smith, Bob Thompson, Deborah Smith and Carol Hyland. A special thank- you to the South Malahat District for volunteering their time to ensure that the event was a success.


New hires The 4-H British Columbia Provincial Council has appointed


Aleda Welch as the new 4-H BC manager. Welch has been with the organization for five years in the administration services co-ordinator role and more recently as interim manager. Belinda Field has also been hired as the fund development


co-ordinator. She has a degree in communications from University of Calgary with certificates in both event planning and public relations from Mount Royal College. She was a 4-H member growing up in Southern Alberta with projects in beef, sewing and cooking. Finally, Coby Hilgersom has been hired as the new administrative services co-ordinator. Coby comes with 20 years of experience in administration and accounting. The 4-H BC staff had their yearly planning meeting in early


October with the Ministry of Agriculture youth development staff in Vernon to discuss next year’s 4-H programs and initiatives.


COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • NOVEMBER 2017


4-H BC Provincial Council president Heather Serafini, centre, and Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon were delighted to engage with 4-H members during the Canada 150 celebration in Saanich. SUBMITTED PHOTO


Gratitude and remembrance


For me, Thanksgiving Day and Remembrance Day simply belong together.


Wannabe Farmer


by LINDA WEGNER


Let me start with Remembrance Day. As I’ve said in nearly every Wanna Be column appearing in a November issue of Country Life in BC, there are no words to describe the gratitude I feel toward those men and women who have served in our military over the decades. In fact, it is because of those who were willing to leave


TIM ARMSTRONG SCHOLARSHIP AWARD


Congratulations to Jacqlyn Marvin, who was awarded the annual Tim Armstrong Scholarship Award.


Miss Marvin is a remarkable young lady, who enrolled in the Agriculture Technology Program at the University of the Fraser Valley. She was not your average out of high school university student, but rather a more mature student who had previously chosen a career as an Airline Flight Attendant. Miss Marvin indicated that her back ground of growing up on a beef cattle farm in Chilliwack and her participation in the 4-H program as a youth greatly influenced her career choice. In addition to winning the Scholarship of $1,000, she also made the Dean’s Honor Roll and she also won the Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal. Once again, the Farm Writers of BC congratulate Miss Marvin.


The Scholarship is offered annually by the BC Farm Writers Association in the memory of Tim Armstrong, a former owner and editor of Country Life in BC.


Applications for the 2018 award can be sent to Robert Mitchell, #15 – 10500 Delsom Crescent, Delta, BC V4C 0C3 or by e-mail to Robert_mitchell@telus.net


Please check the website for the information required. The deadline for applications is November 30, 2017.


www.bcfwa.ca


home and safety to defeat the enemies of freedom that I have a wonderful husband and in-laws. Orphaned as children in what was then Poland, the Canadian soldiers were part of their journey and subsequent re-settlement in Canada. How does one ever tire of


saying thank you for so great a gift? That’s where Thanksgiving comes into play. Last month, we celebrated


Thanksgiving and now my thoughts turn to yet another army of service providers – our farmers. It’s been a tough year, what with fires and floods to contend with but wow, what a spirit of determination I’ve seen displayed. Moving past the


philosophical to the more practical, wine producers are reasonably confident but holding their breath that grapes have not been negatively affected by smoke from the fires. As last month’s issue noted, any damage won’t be known for sure until the wine-making process is complete, but wine growers are fairly optimistic that won’t be the case. Hopefully, good news for that sector of our BC agricultural community. For some BC ranchers, the situation is far more critical. Summer forest fires ripped through forage and grazing lands, fences were destroyed and many cattle died or were injured. I was thankful to hear of farmers from other areas who assisted, including donating bales of hay to their compatriots. You, too, are cause for much thanksgiving. Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without cranberries but a Global News piece by


Sean Boynton and John Hua, posted on-line, quoted Brian Dewitt, a farmer with Riverside Cranberries in Fort Langley, as saying: “…he’d be lucky if he gets an average crop at best.” Thanks to all you cranberry growers and may the rain you need descend upon you. (It had by press time!)


Closer to home, I am so thankful for our regional farmers who are dedicated to promoting self-sufficiency in our local area, and not just in word but in deed. It just takes a day or two without ferry service to reinforce our need to produce as much food locally as possible. When new folks moved


two doors down from us, they were looking for a quieter lifestyle than they’d had in the Lower Mainland. As part of that desire, they were looking for garden space. It just so happens that a downturn in Hubby’s health made us seriously consider putting part of our vegetable plot back into lawn. Those neighbours, however, provided a wonderful solution. They will use the garden and already have utilized the space for some winter crops. Come summer we will share the space, allowing me to continue my habit of standing on the back deck, feasting my eyes on our annual food supply. Thanks, new friends, and may all our crops flourish. Linking thanksgiving and


service together? These are just a couple of examples of how giving, sharing and serving are moments to remember. Please accept these brief words as my tribute to each of you.


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