Source: 4-H Canada
Ottawa, ON – 4-H Canada is thrilled to announce former federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Lyle Vanclief, will receive 4-H Canada’s Distinguished Alumni Award at the annual 4-H Canada Leadership Awards, held virtually on Feb. 22, 2021.
Since the age of 12, Mr. Vanclief has embodied 4-H’s values, dedicating himself to hands-on learning as a 4-H member, and then 4-H club leader, as well as in his service to various organizations in his community of Prince Edward County, Ontario. His leadership in the agriculture sector, in crop sciences and as a farmer, led him to a career as an elected official, serving as a Member of Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings from 1988 to 2004. During this time, Mr. Vanclief notably held the role of Minister of Agriculture from 1997 to 2003.
In their tireless commitment to upholding 4-H youth leadership, Mr. Vanclief and his wife, Sharon, established the Canadian 4-H Foundation’s Lyle and Sharon Vanclief Leadership Endowment Fund, which supports the annual attendance of ten 4-H youth members to the US National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C.
As part of his distinguished career, Mr. Vanclief has also been named a Distinguished Agrologist by the Ontario Institute of Agrologists, a Fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, and was inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2010.
Proudly supported by Glacier FarmMedia, the Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes the outstanding leadership and contributions of one of 4-H’s 350,000 alumni, to 4-H, their communities, their industry, and the world. The award will be presented at 4-H Canada’s virtual Leadership Awards, the organization’s signature event, which aims to showcase the achievements of leadership at every level of 4-H in Canada, while fundraising for the Canadian 4-H Foundation.
“The long-term impact of Mr. Vanclief’s work cannot be understated,” says 4-H Canada CEO Shannon Benner. “He has empowered and mentored a generation of young leaders while promoting 4-H Canada’s Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security pillar to the organization and the world.”
“I am delighted to celebrate Mr. Vanclief’ s many accomplishments, which have made a profound difference in our communities,” says Bob Willcox, President, Glacier Farm Media. “4-H Canada prepares agricultural leaders as demonstrated by this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.”
To buy tickets, or for more information about the 4-H Canada Leadership Awards on Feb. 22, 2021, visit 4-h-canada.ca/4hawards.
