2010 Ontario 4-H Ambassadors tour FS System

This year marks the fifth year for the 4-H Ontario Ambassador Program and GROWMARK and UPI Energy are again proud supporters. The objective of the program is to spread the word about 4-H through the ambassadors efforts and participation at various community events throughout Ontario. "It is a more hands on approach to supporting the program and it allows us as sponsors to make closer connections to these young leaders,” says Claude Gauthier, Ontario region manager for GROWMARK.

Earlier this spring, 4-H Ambassador Valerie Stone of Paris, attended the FS Ontario Director Summit where she talked to a large group of FS member co-operative directors about the value of supporting 4-H. The young ambassadors recently took part in a tour of the Ontario FS System where they visited several key sites that showcase the GROWMARK System’s core businesses.

The one-day tour consisted of a visit to UPI Energy’s bulk fuel plant in Guelph, an FS PARTNERS grain and agronomy facility in Ayr, North Wellington Co-operative’s unique retail store and lawn and garden centre, a demonstration field plot called Pursuit of Maximum Yield and a 24 hour remotely monitored cardlock system called Swipe & Go. The Ambassadors will also attend UPI Energy’s annual meeting and participate as flag bearers during the opening ceremonies.

Ambassadors are available to speak at special events at your co-operative, so please keep this in mind during the year when planning annual meetings or other prominent events. 

4-H Ontario Ambassadors gather for a group photo after touring North Wellington Co-operative Services in Harriston. From L-R: GROWMARK Interns Shuang Li and Erin Dubecki, Kelly Boyle, North Wellington Co-operative Services general manager, Amy Baillie, GROWMARK Ontario administrative assistant, Ontario 4-H Ambassadors Valerie Stone of Paris, Jessie Groniger of Carlsbad Springs, Nicole Charlton of Brantford and Eleri Morris of Elmvale, Janice Johnson, GROWMARK Ontario marketing & communication specialist, Andrew Moore, 4-H Ontario marketing & events co-ordinator. Missing from this photo is 2010 4-H Ambassador Anikka Bolender of Stoufville. 

4-H Ambassadors learn about the UPI Energy business from Bob Hodgson, UPI Energy manager, operations, southwestern Ontario.