WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — Over 200 people were in attendance at the annual Renfrew County 4-H Awards night on Friday, Nov 24 at the Cobden Agricultural Hall to mark the end the 2016-2017 year.
It was an evening of socializing, reminiscing and celebrating achievements.
This past year Renfrew County had 195 members, ages nine to 21; 32 active leaders and 30 clubs going plus the Cloverbuds, a program for children ages six to eight years.
The 4-H members, families, leaders and guests had subs and pizza and drinks for supper followed by recognition of achievements, including those members who attended the Regional Show at Metcalfe Fair and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.
Members receive a different coloured shirt for each six clubs or projects completed. First year members receive a 4H bag and their beginners plaque that they can add a year label to it each year.
This year there were 23 Cloverbuds participating in the program, 32 first year members, 25 members completing six projects, nine members completing 12 projects, and seven members completing 18 projects.
Once a member completes 24 clubs and has been a member for five years, they get the 4H Ontario Gay Lea Award of Achievement which is a framed agricultural print. This year’s recipients were Tyson Black, Shavaun Donohue, Cody Gale, Taylor Henderson, Natasha Kargus, Hayley Stewart, Gordon Trask and Wesley White.
Completing 30 projects were Grady Dwyer, Keely Henderson, Autumn McIntyre, Andrew Moore, Kayla Mulvihill, Kristin Mulvihill, Masen Rice, Katie Stewart, Wesley White, Wyatt White and Brady Wytenburg.
Three members completed 36 projects — Kelsey Edwards, Scott Hamilton and Autumn McIntyre and the three members completing 42 projects were Meeka Bromley, Nicole Moore, and April White. Johanna Dwyer had 48 projects, Kinly Rice had 54 projects, Jamie Schultz had 66 projects, and Miranda Crogie completed 84 projects.
The four graduating members of the 4H program are Scott Hamilton, Emma Howard, Kayla Mulvihill and Kristin Mulvihill.
Leaders are recognized for every five years of leading clubs. First year leaders are Tyler Armstrong, Jennifer Austin, Cailen Bromley, Karen Coe, Beth McDonald, and Peggylea Way. Reyna McHale-Wytenburg received her 5th year seal, and receiving their 15th year seal were Agatha Crogie, Campbell Crogie, Brandy Matheson and Anna McIntyre. Special recognition went to Lynn Clelland for completing 35 years as a 4H leader.
Scholarships were handed out as well. The Delmer Bennett Award went to Tanner Bromley and Meghan Russell who were unable to attend as they are away at school. The Renfrew County Federation of Agriculture Scholarship went to Jamie Schultz, Samantha Austin and Hannah McMullen. The Renfrew Lions Club Scholarship went to Samantha Austin and Hannah McMullen who were both away at school. The Renfrew County 4H Association scholarship went to Jamie Schultz and Samantha Austin. Jamie Schultz also won the Cull Auctioneering Award. The Renfrew County Soil and Crop Scholarship went to Jamie Schultz and Johanna Dwyer.
The major awards were presented to: Sophie Dwyer for the Most Deserving First Year 4-H Club Member in Renfrew County; Jenna Hedden for the Jennifer McVeigh Fellowship Award and to Scott Hamilton for the Most Outstanding 4-H Club Member in Renfrew County and the Ontario Plowman Association Award.
If you are interested in joining 4H in Renfrew County contact Agatha Crogie at [email protected], 613-649-2734 or check out Renfrew County 4H Association on Facebook.
— Article and photos submitted by Renfrew County 4H Association
