SPENCERVILLE — Proving that hard work and determination really do pay off, close to 125 4-H Ontario members participated in the 30th Anniversary of the Eastern Breeders 4-H Showcase at the Spencerville Fairgrounds, on July 3rd-5th.The three-day event gave junior and senior 4-H members the opportunity to shine, by putting 4-H’s motto "learn to do by doing" to work. At the same time they competed for over $10,000 in prizes.

This year’s showcase also marked the inauguration of Holstein Ontario’s 1st Annual Eastern Ontario Junior Show. As EBI showcase organizer Paul Stewart noted, the event was simply "remarkable."

Eastern Breeders manager, Anne Louise Carson, echoed Stewart’s enthusiasm, explaining that the showcase is an investment for the future. " (4-H members) learn how to compete and engage socially. These are skills which transfer to other spheres of life," she says. Carson has had a long-standing partnership with 4-H, starting when she was 12-years-old and a competitor in the showcase. She believes that it provides youth with the opportunity for growth and leadership development. "We are creating leaders," she says. "4-H teaches kids how to be professional at a very young age."

Kelsey Mode from Vankleek Hill, in Prescott County, is living proof. At the age of 20, Mode knows first hand the level of commitment and ambition needed to achieve successful results. The Overall Dairy Champion for the showcase, Mode exudes modesty and graciousness at the mention of her win. "I’m happy to have won. It was a lot of hard work," she said.

Mode explains that her family has been involved in showing cows for years, and her involvement has been life long. Having recently switched from working with Aryshires to Holsteins, Mode is happy with her success. "You always think that it’s going to be tough (going into the competition) but you just try to do your best. So, yeah, it’s nice to have won."

Both the Junior and Senior shows ran simultaneously on Sunday July 5th. Dominique Pelletier of Russell, Ontario, judged the Eastern Ontario Jr. Show while Nancy Beerwort of Martintown judged the EBI 4-H showcase.

The weekend long event allowed older 4-H members the opportunity to mentor younger members, exhibiting 4-H’s commitment to the transfer of skills and knowledge. Members were privy to presentations and activities during the three-day event, which included clipping demonstrations, and instruction on showmanship. Senior showcase participants took part in judging and farm safety challenges, while junior members learned about pedigrees, feeding, and preparations for showing.

As executive director of 4-H Ontario Lyndon Stewart explains one of the benefits of membership in 4-H is the transfer of knowledge. "The history here is really, that we are helping youth to build leadership skills, and in turn they are returning home with new knowledge. It’s really a wonderful transfer method."

EBI 4-H Showcase organizer Paul Stewart added "This weekend isn’t about which 4-Her wins, it’s about all of us working together."