Heatherton 4-H Club closing in on the century mark

by Bria MacDonald Heatherton is the birthplace of 4-H in Nova Scotia. The Heatherton 4-H Club was started in 1922 by the province’s first agricultural representative, Rev. Dr. Hugh MacPherson. He thought the Antigonish County community needed a way to keep youth involved in agriculture. The club meetings were held in the school and the teachers were the leaders. As word grew about the club, surrounding areas began to take an interest in the program and formed clubs of their own.  Around 1949, my grandfather Donnie MacDonald joined the calf club, mostly because everyone else in the area was involved in the club. Grandpa would take his calves up to Truro as well as to the exhibition in Antigonish. Dr. Hugh’s idea worked. My grandfather’s first job was with the agriculture department as the 4-H representative. He then went on to be the agricultural representative for Antigonish. My grandmother Mary Ellen also joined her local club in a neighbouring community as a youth and focused on the life skills area, especially sewing. Over the years, the Heatherton 4-H Club grew from a small organization in a schoolhouse to what it is now. It still serves its purpose, keeping youth involved in local agriculture, but it does so much more. It teaches kids basic life skills and helps them contribute to their communities. In the past few years, the club has organized a cookie decorating workshop, with the cookies then donated to our local group home’s Christmas concert. We’ve also made Christmas wreaths and donated them to seniors, as well as going door to door through the neighbourhood singing Christmas carols. Another activity we participate in is our annual community cleanup. Growing up, my father and his 11 siblings were all involved in 4-H as soon as they turned nine. They participated in every aspect of 4-H, from public speaking to showing livestock in the ring to displaying their sewing and crafts projects in the exhibition. My father even went to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. My grandmother became a foods leader and then went on to be the Heatherton 4-H Club’s general leader the following year. She remained in this position for 22 years. When my dad’s youngest sibling was asked why she joined 4-H, she was confused because 4-H had been what she’d grown up knowing. She wasn’t aware she had a choice to be in it. It was such a big part of her life that she just thought it was something everyone did, like going to school. Many of my cousins and siblings are part of 4-H. I’ve had the opportunity to have hands-on experiences that teach me about the importance of keeping the agricultural industry going. Our club and the 4-H program has grown a lot during the past 98 years. Many who are farmers today were part of the program. It continues to introduce youth to the agriculture industry. Today, the Heatherton 4-H club has more than 40 members and 10 leaders. Some projects I have participated in include dairy, goat, rabbit, crafts, photography, visual arts, cake decorating, and computer. Looking back, 4-H has come a long way. Without Dr. Hugh, we wouldn’t have 4-H and my life would be very different. I’m not sure where I would be without 4-H; probably not lying awake at night while counting down the days to exhibition or getting up at 4 a.m. to wash a calf before it gets clipped. Thanks to Dr. Hugh, we have developed a program that changes lives and I look forward to continuing to be a part of it in the future. (Bria MacDonald has belonged to the Heatherton 4-H Club for seven years and has previously acted as the club reporter. She lives in Heatherton and is in Grade 10 at Dr. J.H. Gillis Regional High School in Antigonish.)