Terry McNamee
For the Beaver
Two very active members of the Lennox & Addington 4H Association were presented with special membership awards at the group’s monthly meeting at the Napanee Legion held earlier this month.
Eighteen-year-old Sarah Kay was named the Top Agriculture Member for 2018. She received a $100 cheque and certificate from the Ontario Plowmen’s Association for her knowledge of animal and crop related clubs, leadership, dedication and showmanship.
The second award-winner, Saige Traise, 15, of Bath, was named the Top Lifeskills Member for 2018 and was presented with a certificate and a $100 cheque from the Napanee Legion for knowledge and dedication to Lifeskills clubs and her leadership and dedication within 4H.
“These two prestigious awards are the pinnacle of a 4H member’s career, and are awarded after much hard work, dedication, leadership and lengthy interview process,” explained L&A 4H president Lori Caughey. “(The winners) were nominated by their club leader.”
Both girls have been active in 4H for several years.
“One of Sarah’s top accomplishments was being top show person at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair for all goats,” she said.
Kay joined 4H in 2011.
“For the past three years, I’ve done Goat Club,” Kay said. “I started out with Beef Club, Horse Club and Life Skills. In the last few years, I’ve tried Rabbit Club and Go For the Gold. It’s like a trivia club.”
Of all the different clubs she has been involved with, her favourite is working with goats. She has shown Nigerian Dwarf goats, a Boer and a Nubian.
“I’ve had a lot of success showing goats,” Kay said. “I’ve had great leaders and a lot of helpful members that have taught me.”
Since she lives on a farm, Kay is able to keep her show stock at home — except for the beef calf. Her mom said no to that, so the calf was boarded elsewhere, which is quite common in 4H. Many members don’t have the facilities for keeping various types of livestock, poultry or other animals, but are still able to take part in the various animal clubs by borrowing animals or boarding them elsewhere.
She has three more years of eligibility in 4H, so winning this year was a big accomplishment for her.
“I am really excited, because I was nominated last year, and it was a pretty close race,” Kay said. “It’s a great honour to have.”
Traise, too, has been involved in many different clubs during her four years in 4H. While she does have three dogs, Traise doesn’t live on a farm, so any livestock she shows are owned by the club leaders.
“This year, I’m in Quilting, Games, Sheep, Goats, Craft, Girls’ Night Out and Dog Club,” she said, adding that she is starting Judging Club as well.
“The best thing about 4H is the people you get to meet and the experiences you get,” she said. “Last summer, I was able to go across the country with 4H.”
She said she was nominated for an achievement award last year, and was the top winner in 4H Region Three, which includes the 4H Associations in Durham, Hastings, Kawartha Lakes/Haliburton, Lennox and Addington, Northumberland, Peterborough, Prince Edward and York.
“I think these girls exemplify the Spirit of 4H,” Caughey said. “We’re really happy to have their leadership.”
The 4H Club organization is open to boys and girls ages 6 to 21 prior to Jan. 1, 2019. In L&A, there are six agricultural clubs and eight lifestyle clubs. For information on becoming a member or adult leader, go to the group’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LennoxAddington4HAssociation