Emma M.

Hunter River, Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island Provincial Heritage Fair

60 Year History of the Pleasant Valley 4-H Club

I am a member of the Pleasant Valley 4-H Club. I've been in 4-H for three years and this year marks the 60th anniversary of the club. In 1955, the 4-H club began as a sewing club. Then later in 1956, a calf club was formed. Over the past 60 years the club has served 4 generations in some families.

 

 

 

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

The most interesting thing I learned because of my project is that many people from the Weeks side of my family have been in 4-H. In the early years, dairy was a popular project. Then in the 1980s, projects such as foods, small engines and woodworking were attractive with no active dairy members. Again in the 1990s, new farm families joined and dairy made a come back. Since then, almost every year our club has been represented as part of the PEI Dairy team at the Royal Winter Fair.

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

Some important lessons that I have learned that I want to share with others are, a small club can do big things. Pleasant Valley 4-H club is pretty tiny but throughout the years our members have achieved big things and have greatly helped make our community a better place to live.

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

Compared to my life today, families were larger and parents did not drive kids as far as often for extra-curricular activities. Rural communities also had more residents. Most activities were closer to home. 4-H was a popular rural youth club available in many communities of PEI.