The Rural Voice, 1983-02, Page 52HURON 4H LEADERS:
RECORD TURNOUT
by Gregor Campbell
Some statistics were something to
feel good about, for the record turnout
at the annual meeting of the Huron
County 4H Agricultural Club Leaders
Association at Wesley -Willis United
Church in Clinton.
Perhaps it was a record turnout
because the number of leaders has
risen significantly from a year ago.
Huron now has about 90 4H leaders. It
had about 60,a1 the same time,in 1981.
And perhaps this growth at the top had
something to do with the hefty increase
in 4H club member projects both
started and completed in 1982 com-
pared to the year before. There were
about 500 club projects started in 1982,
and 440 completed according to Ontario
Ministry of Agriculture and Food agri-
cultural representative Don Pullen.
Pullen presented a couple of other
interesting statistics too. The average
age of 4H club members in the county
THE YOUNG FARMER
is 14.2 years, and the average tenure of
members is now about 2.4 years. There
are also 38 various 4H clubs in Huron
this year, compared to 22 way back in
1969.
There was an orderly succession in
the election of officers to the associa-
tion's executive during the morning
session. Brian Oldfield is the execu-
tive's new president. succeeding John
Van Vliet who remains as past presi-
dent. Les Falconer moves up to become
new first vice-president, and Terry
Smith is the new face on the executive
as second vice-president. Maurice Hal-
lahan remains as secretary -treasurer.
There are a few new directors in the
leaders' association. John Underwood
and Alan Powe replace Paul Pavkeje as
field crops directors; Cheryl Stewart is
the new rabbit director, replacing Ray
Hanna (who no longer has a rabbit) and
Ross Gordon takes over from Bill
Leeming as plowmen director. Phyllis
Merkley (beef). Jim Hallahan (dairy).
Florence Pullen (sheep). Marjorie Ann
McMichael (horse), Ron Douglas and
Donn Dodds (swine). Bob Pavkeje
Perth County Junior Farmers captured first place in the Modern Square Dance
Competition at the recent provincial Junior Farmer Sing Swing talent
competitions. Pictured front row [left to right] are Mary Jane Eidt, Ray White,
Calvin Aikens and Martis Fleming; back row [left to right] are Pauline DeKroon,
Bruce Morris. Floyd Harper [caller], Warren Harper, and Janice Thomson.
Harper was also chosen as the best modern square dance caller. [Photo,
courtesty OMAF]
PG. 52 THE RURAL VOICE, FEBRUARY 1983
(snowmobile), Allan Haugh (tractor),
Barry Cleave (poultry), Dave McClure
(conservation). Hank Winkel (gun safe-
ty), Fran McQuail (goat) and Reg
Willson (financial management) will
continue as directors in the positions
they held last year.
The association had a book balance
of $485.15 at the end of 1982, compared
to a figure of $670.05 at the start of the
year. Receipts totalled $1,278 last year,
including a $500 grant from Huron
County: and expenditures totalled
$792.90, including the largest expendi-
ture of $569.45 for 4H T-shirts.
Cathie Potter of the OMAF office at
Clinton was presented with a special
token of esteem by leader Glen McNeil,
for services above and beyond the call
of duty. Among other speakers,
OMAF's witty John Heard outlined what
he called a new 4H top-down program,
called the Financial Management Club.
The program has some significant in-
centives; 4H credits, $500 scholarships
and special awards. Requirements in-
clude a 16-19 age limit, 60 percent
attendance (four of six meetings), three
case presentations and a project manu-
al. Weekly meetings are expected to
begin in early February, with a Huron,
Perth and Oxford regional competition
in April.
miners A
At the recent Step Dancing Compe-
tition held at the Junior Farmer
Sing Swing in Sarnia, Juanita Co/ -
vin, from Bruce County, came in
first.