Waterloo 4-H Association

In the early 1900s, agriculture was Canada’s primary industry, so it’s not surprising that there was interest in agriculture education for youth across the country.

4-H started in Ontario in 1915 with 32 young men attending a meeting held in Waterloo. This club is recognized as the first 4-H club in Ontario, followed by clubs across the region and province. The first Boys’ and Girls’ Club in Canada, forerunner of 4-H, was started in Manitoba in 1913.

4-H is based on a “learn to do by doing” philosophy. The four H’s stand for head, heart, hands and health.

The purpose of 4-H was to “study the principles on which everyday farm operations are based” and to create greater interest in farm life. The first clubs focussed on agriculture and the initial participants were boys. Through the 1900s, 4-H grew to include girls and domestic sciences.

Today in Waterloo Region, across Canada and around the world, 4-H members aged 9 to 21 come together with volunteer leaders to learn about selected topics through hands-on activities and mentorship. Members are encouraged to focus on how their actions affect their relationships, their community, the environment and society as a whole.

The success of 4-H has seen hundreds of thousands of youth and volunteers taking part in leadership and skills development programs across Ontario in both rural and urban communities. Although still rooted in agricultural history, 4-H recognizes that everyone can benefit from a socially conscious approach to learning.

Logo courtesy of 4-H Ontario.