Adapting to changing society - Alberta 4-H celebrates its 90th anniversary this month, and as the province has moved from a primarily agricultural society, the clubs have had to change to stay relevant. There are now seven active 4-H clubs in the Stettler area. Pictured here are Janet Kerr, regional 4-H specialist, Lucas Grover, 4-H ambassador, and Wendy Ashbacker, key leader for the East Central region at a Project Learning Day at Gus Wetter School in Castor on Saturday, Nov. 24.

November is National 4-H month and this year Alberta 4-H celebrates its 90th anniversary. Since the first club was established near Olds in 1917, the self-styled ‘longest running youth organization in Alberta’ has provided opportunities for youths to learn practical skills, the basics of government, and — perhaps most importantly — develop leadership qualities.

As Alberta 4-H nears its centennial as a organization, it has naturally been faced with the same challenges as all aspects of Albertan society, namely how to cope with the rapidly increasing urbanization of our province and the resulting changes in interests and needs wrought by an altered demography. Whether it is the impact of new technology, the movement of rural youth to our cities or the fact the so many other options and outlets for leisure activity exist, Alberta 4-H has had to face the reality that it needs to adapt to keep up with the times.

Traditionally known, and perhaps stereotyped, as primarily a club for ‘farm kids’, the organization is fighting an uphill battle to show its relevancy in today’s world.

“4-H has played a very important role in the province,” says Dr. Roger Epp, dean of the Augustana faculty of the University of Alberta. A professor of political studies, Epp has written extensively about the impact of 4-H on prairie society.