Rural Youth in Quebec Celebrate 100 Years
Along with the Association des jeunes ruraux du Québec (AJRQ) and the Fédération de la relève agricole du Québec (FRAQ), Quebec 4-H is celebrating 100 years of rural youth movements in Quebec. In 1913, the Quebec ministery of agriculture saw a need for training and sharing of best practices among young farmers. Inspired by 4-H clubs in Ohio, the first such group was formed in Quebec. Over the years, different clubs found their niches and ultimately three provincial associations were formed. The three organizations came together in 1995 to form La Table de concertation de la jeunesse rurale du Québec. Over the years, the Table de concertation has held several conferences to bring together members of the three organizations for networking and professional development. Now, as the group recognizes the centennial, the spirit of comraderie is revitalized. Together, they are striving to raise awareness of the importance of youth taking roles in the rural way of life.
On December 5th the top 3 videos entered in the Desjardin’s 100 years of Rural Youth video contest were aired to the attendants of the UPA’s annual congress. The winning video was then announced and a $3,000 bursary was awarded. Congratulations to Justine Pouliot, Louis-Phillippe Hudon and Emmanuelle Vincent from the CJR Rouville.
On May 9th, Quebec 4-H President Mathieu Rouleau and Vice-President Tiffany Nelson, along with representations from the AJRQ and FRAQ, were invited to the l’Assemblée Nationale in Quebec City to witness the Quebec Minister of Agriculture Francois Gendron sign a motion demonstrating their support for the rural youth movement. They tipped their hats off to the work the organizations do. It was a gesture to celebrate 100 years of the rural youth movement in Quebec.
- Quebec 4-H President Mathieu Rouleau and AJRQ President Marie-Pier Vincent along with a representative from the FRAQ were pleased to have Minister of Agriculture Francois Gendron sign a declaration to acknowledge the importance of the rural youth movement.
At a meeting held on February 3, 2013, the Quebec 4-H Board of Directors resolved to support the 2013 Declaration, 100th Anniversary of Rural Youth in Quebec.
At their annual general meeting held on February 28, La Coop Fédérée demonstrated thier support of rural youth through an official signing of the declaration. Board members Angela Neal and Carrie Simpson were on hand to represent Quebec 4-H.
- Denis Richard, président de La Coop fédérée; Sophie Boissonneault, membre du conseil exécutif de l’Association des jeunes ruraux du Québec;
Angela Neal, membre du conseil d’administration de Quebec 4-H; Émilie Benoît, membre du conseil exécutif de la Fédération de la relève agricole du Québec;
Alain Gagnon, vice-président Marchés agricole et agroalimentaire au Mouvement Desjardins; Mathieu Couture, président de la Table de concertation de la jeunesse rurale
On January 17, at Le Salon de l’agriculture in St. Hyacinthe, President of Quebec 4-H, Mathieu Rouleau, attended the launch of “100 years of rural youth in Quebec” A crowd of more than one hundred people was present for the festivities which included a presentation about farm succession planning. The presidents of Quebec 4-H, AJRQ, and FRAQ made presentations about their associations. Rouleau gave a speech on Quebec 4-H’s current and future projects.
On December 6, 2012, Marie-Philip Brisson attended the Congrès general de l’Union des producteurs agricoles as a representative of Quebec 4-H. Brisson is a recent alumnus of Ormstown 4-H who chaperoned her club at Provincial Rally 2012. She is in her final year of Animal Sciences at Université de Laval. Along with AJRQ president Josianne Chabot and FRAQ president Alain Audet, Brisson had an opportunity to present their respective organizations to the crowd of producers.
Partner Associations
Association des jeunes ruraux du québec
Fédération de la relève agricole du Québec
Sponsors of Rural Youth in Quebec
Desjardins 100 years of Rural Youth video contest
Congratulations to Justine Pouliot, Louis-Phillippe Hudon and Emmanuelle Vincent who won the Desjardins’ 100 years of Rural Youth video contest. The winners were announced at the Congrès général annuel de l’UPA on November 5th.
Winners of the Desjardins video contest: CJR Rouville. Contest winners were awarded a $3,000 bursary from Desjardins. 8 videos were submitted in total.
Link to the video coming soon.