Cultivating Leaders at Sorrento Lakeview 4H
By Barbra Fairclough
April and Mark Midan, 4H leaders with some of the children and animals (4H Club Photo)
When April Midan started the Sorrento Lakeview 4H club a couple of years ago she brought a lifetime of farming with her. “We have about fourteen kids based right here in our beautiful area. They are from Sorrento, Blind Bay, White Lake, Tappen, Notch Hill.” April’s husband Mark, a retired military veteran, is active with the group as well.
April has been actively farming for years. April says, “I lived through the Notch Hill fire with 90 animals”. Today on her farm she has cows, llamas, donkeys, horses, minis, mule, sheep, goats, and fowl.
4H is a place for kids to learn leadership through animal husbandry. Children learn confidence and leadership through public speaking and helping others in the club. Education is at the center of the projects they participate in. Kids can get course credits for school grades 11 and 12. And there are scholarship opportunities. Learning involves trying new things, learning new skills, and exploring passions. Friendships are formed through teamwork and shared decision making in club gatherings.
4H kids can begin as early as 6 to 8 years old through the Cloverbud project. There is no competition in this age group but rather emphasizes group creativity and participation. Kids in this age group do not conduct their own 4H project but focus on skill development and project learning specific to their project area of choice. April’s young group of kids have projects for honeybees, sewing, rabbits, and sheep.
Junior members are 9-12 yrs. and they can choose from over 30 4H projects such as gardening, photography, outdoor living, etc. There is a proficiency exam that the Juniors complete prior to moving into the 13 to 19 years group. The Seniors members choose from the same projects as junior members with the addition of a few special projects such as Junior Leader and Senior Management.
There are even projects for 20 to 25 yrs.
“My family does sheep and the kids must learn how to manage the sheep. Kids complete booklets that capture their project learning and registers their accomplishments.
“It gets bigger every year and people want to do more projects. Parents are wanting to come and we need parents to join as leaders to support growth.”
April says she has a diverse group of kids, her daughter is involved as well.” No child will be turned away.” April says you do not have to be a farm kid to participate. You just need interest.
The group meets once per month at the Sorrento Centre or at April and Mark’s farm and April meets with other Shuswap area 4H groups such as Deep Creek, Quest Mountain and Milky Way.
Sometimes they just have a fun day with the kids and go to the waterslide but April says they do community events as well. Recently they held a petting zoo at the Carlin County Fair as well as the Notch Hill Spring Market. Last year they did a petting zoo on Canada Day.
At the September Barriere Agriculture Expo, a 4H event, the kids market lambs will be sold.
April says she is interested in growing her contingency of Leaders. The leader’s job is to provide leadership for the kids’ projects. With more Leaders, more kids’ projects can be accommodated.
Leaders must complete three training courses delivered in bite sized pieces; Introduction to 4H, Commit to Kids and 4H Administration. There are many aspects to the learning opportunities with 4H leaders, some delivered online and some in person. They must also submit to a criminal background check.
“I grew up here and my husband is a retired vet. We are all feeling the effects of higher prices. Farmers are downsizing. I would love to instill more knowledge. We need you to do this.”
Sponsors can help to pay for things like tee shirts for the kids. “We are interested in hearing from businesses who would like to sponsor.”
4H is a great addition to your resume says April. It helps kids with their job finding.
April’s passion is notable. Her child centered focus is driving her to ensure the youth have the knowledge and interest in farms and farming and living on the land.
If you are curious or have questions contact April by messaging her on FB at Sorrento Lakeview 4H or send her an email at lakeview4h@outloook.com
