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Almost behind the scenes at the Moose Jaw Hometown Fair is an annual gathering of 4H clubs from the surrounding areas, including nearly 70 young people who have been working at least since November, and some for literally years, to raise the healthiest livestock possible.
“I think a lot of people assume it’s just about cows,” said Robyn MacNeil, vice chair of the Moose Jaw Regional Inter 4-H Committee. “But we have projects in everything from mechanics and cooking to entrepreneurship and outdoor living.”
MacNeil also serves as general leader of the Missouri Coteau 4-H Multi Club, and sits on the board of 4-H Saskatchewan. She says the program is all about what she calls “learning to do by doing.”
“We want you to touch, feel, smell everything,” she said. “That’s how kids really learn — not by being told, but by doing it themselves.”
Four clubs participated in this year’s regional show, including the Moose Jaw Beef Club, Long Lake Multi Club, Old Wives 4-H Club — now celebrating its 50th anniversary — and McNeil’s own Missouri Coteau group. In total, more than 60 youth were involved, with some bringing as many as six animals.
One young competitor from the Moose Jaw Beef Club showed a three-year-old cow-calf pair, a two-year-old pair, a steer, and a heifer, demonstrating three years of work.
“That’s his project,” said McNeil. “It’s not just a one-day thing. These kids are working with their animals every day, learning how to feed, groom, and understand them.”
Fourteen-year-old Hunter Garbutt was one of the participants. He took home second in steer judging, third in both his heifer class and intermediate grooming, and placed tenth in heifer judging overall.
“It really takes all year,” said Garbutt. “We usually start in November, picking them out and tying them up. You’ve got to get their hair right, get them leading nice — it’s a lot of work.”
But the results, he says, are worth it.
“They’re just so calm,” he said affectionately. “They don’t try to run. They’re really big now, too. Just super nice.”
First-time visitors may have been surprised by the maturity and poise of the young competitors. Maturity and public speaking are part of what they learn in 4H, in order to present the results of their projects — or sometimes as part of a project itself.
Elise Howe, showing her steer Ollie, won grand champion overall steer.
“It feels really good to be here today,” she said, keeping her balance as all 1500 lbs of Ollie jostled her gently. “I’ve put a lot of work into this year and I think it’s finally going to pay off.”
4-H clubs across Saskatchewan are divided into regional zones, each with its own annual show. Once a member commits to one, they can’t participate in another region’s event. MacNeil says that focus helps build consistency and deep local ties.
“Some of these clubs are multi-generational,” she said. “The kids are learning skills, but they’re also becoming part of something that shapes their identity.”
For young people like Garbutt and Howe, that identity comes with equal parts pride and responsibility. And for organizers like MacNeil, it’s a reminder of why this 110-year-old program is still going strong.