Just over 100 years ago, in the town of Roland, Manitoba, 4-H Canada began its program of inspiring youth to embrace agriculture at the “grass-roots” level. It is one of the most highly respected youth organizations in Canada, with more than 25,000 members from ages 6-25, and gleaning from the experience and wisdom of over 7,700 volunteers across the country. 

Executive Director of the Manitoba 4-H Council, Clayton Robbins, says a new national initiative by 4-H Canada, called “Club 1913” is a way for alumni across the country to reconnect with each other and network with each other to bring those who have been through the program to come back into it to mentor the next generation.

“It’s an initiative to reconnect the people who benefited so much from the program over the years, back with the program. We’re always looking for volunteers and leaders, for people to bring their expertise back, even if for event-by-event basis. And, also to keep in touch with what’s happening with all the new and exciting stuff in the program, and to see what the youth are getting from it today.”

The official launch of Manitoba’s “Club 1913” occurred at Brandon’s Ag Days this past January with Minister of Agriculture, Ralph Eichler. Robbins says they are using events like the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair to reconnect with those who have fond memories from the program and want to reconnect with fellow alumni and contribute to give something back.

“There’s been a number of reconnect programs in the past but this one by far seems to be one of the ones that’s got the greatest push and scope behind it. And the timing is very good because we are in the Canada150 year and 4-H is, nationally, one of the 12 partners with Heritage Canada to celebrate Canada150. So, its very fitting that we are reconnecting with our alumni in the Canada150 celebration.”

4-H alumni can visit the website at www.club1913.ca to register and start getting reconnected with the program.

“We set up a special page on our Manitoba website where we have a number of alumni featured on there who are 4-H’s where their skills have taken them to great places. That’s also happening nationally.“

John Montgomery, from Manitoba is a 4-H alumni is one of the ones included on the national website, and clearly has done some great things in his life, and spent time as a 4-H’er growing up in Russell.

"So this is a great opportunity to bring those people back into the program. Especially as we try and grow the program.” 

Gold medal recipient, John Montgomery, achieved highest accolades in winning the Skeleton racing at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

Club 1913 is an online community where more than 350,000 alumni can reconnect and network with each other and their communities through 4-H.