Over the past 110 years Manitoba 4H has expanded to include almost every interest for their youth programming... from agriculture to home economics, from photography to art.
Each year the Manitoba 4H awards multiple scholarships to their graduating 4H members, or alumni, who are enrolling in post-secondary education.
"At 4H, we offer several different scholarship opportunities but Manitoba 4H Endowment Foundation funds ten $1000 scholarships in our province every year," shares Manitoba 4H Executive Director, Shannon Carvey.
"And then we have some very generous donors who support other scholarships in Manitoba," she adds. "We have a scholarship from the York-Benimaru Foundation, a scholarship from Manitoba Pork, and we have several scholarships from the John and Ona Schellenberg family."
"Every year we gift close to $70,000 in scholarships in Manitoba," notes Carvey.
With the wide variety of programs, scholarships are not just focused on ag-related education.
"Certainly, some scholarships do have some criteria as far as being ag-related, but the Manitoba 4H Council scholarship does not have any parameters. They/re more specific as to what a member's involvement has been in 4H. and how they're involved in their community. A few of the other scholarships are directed to agricultural," she explains. "One of them is linked to veterinary science so there are lots of opportunities."
The Manitoba 4H also offers the Leaders of Tomorrow scholarship which is open to 4H members and 4H alumni, "and we shepherd that scholarship for Manitoba Agriculture.
This past June, 4-H Manitoba announced the recipients of the 2023 Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarships. The Manitoba Government generously established a $1 million endowment fund with the Brandon Area Community Foundation, which provided $42,500 for scholarships this year.
Four current and former 4-H Manitoba members were selected to receive scholarships towards their post-secondary education.
"So, this can be a very significant help to those folks who are our alumni," adds Carvey.
"If anyone is looking for 4H in their community and needs help connecting to a club nearby, by all means give the office a call," she shares. "We can help you get connected with 4H near you. We do have 130 clubs across the province so chances are, within a 30–50-minute drive there should be a 4H club nearby."
About 4-H Manitoba:
4-H is an international youth and volunteer organization that provides members with the resources and activities to build leadership and practical skills while learning about topics of their choice. Members choose a project and work with volunteer leaders to develop their skills related to their venture.
In Manitoba, there are more than 80 hands-on projects from which to select including gardening, food preservation, starting a business, sustainable living, small machines, fitness and more.
Today, 1350 4-H members and 400 volunteers with strong partnerships with Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development drive 4-H clubs in Manitoba.
For more information about Manitoba 4H visit their website
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