UFA 4-H Alberta Alumni Service Award - Nominations Open!

 

UFA Co-operative with 4-H Alberta is pleased to announce the return of the UFA 4-H Alberta Alumni Service Award.  UFA values the importance of recognizing the outstanding contributions of volunteers that make our rural communities a better place for all. This annual award recognizes three 4-H volunteers who best demonstrate leadership through volunteerism within their communities. 

In honour of National Volunteer Week, nominations will open on April 11, 2016. To be eligible the 4-H Alumni recipient must:

·         be volunteers who have not won the award in the past,

·         be committed to rural communities,

·         have enhanced their community as a 4-H volunteer for at least two years,

·         and must be involved with more than one community project/group/association. 

In recognition of their contributions three recipients will be awarded:

1 Grand Champion         $1,000 UFA gift certificate

2 Reserve Champions     $500 gift certificate (each)

 

Key Dates:

·         Registration Opening:  April 11, 2016, during National Volunteer Week.

·         Nominations Close:  July 29, 2016

·         Recipient Celebrations:  November 2, 2016 in celebration of ‘Wear Your 4-H Colours Day’

To nominate someone whose community contributions deserve recognition, fill out the nomination form found here!

UFA Hands-On Educational nights

This year UFA has been presenting Hands-on educational workshops at some of their stores across the province. Many stores across the province have already hosted nights, but there is still one more to come. The final Hands-on With UFA night for this first round will be held at the Olds Farm Store on March 31st. To register your club please contact Ciara Mattheis at ciara.mattheis@ufa.com. 

Each night will have educational sessions including Credit-101, a session to explain the benefits of learning financial responsibility and budgeting. There will also be fun activities, including halter or leash making.

Make sure to register for your spot today!

If you missed out on the Hands-on with UFA nights this first round, don't worry there will be another round starting soon. Stay tuned for details and visit your nearest UFA if your club would like to see one near them!

Any questions please contact:

A.J. Smith

Corporate Partners Coordinator

587.583.1152

smith@4hab.com

Hands-on With UFA educational nights!

This year UFA has been presenting Hands-on educational workshops at some of their stores across the province. Medicine Hat, Westlock and Ponoka have already hosted nights, but  there are more to come! See below for the schedule as well as the organizers contact information. To register, please get your 4-H clubs leader to contact the organizer, of the store night closest to you, with the names of the members of your club who wish to attend.

Each night will have educational sessions including Credit-101, a session to explain the benefits of learning financial responsibility and budgeting. There will also be fun activities, including halter or leash making.

Make sure to register for your spot today!

Location	Date	Organizer	Contact
Brooks	December 17	Ashley Oliver	ashley.oliver@ufa.com
Athabasca	January 19	Valerie Chisholm-Head	valerie.chisholm-head@ufa.com
Spruce Grove	January 28	Alexandra Kulak	alexandra.kulak@ufa.com
Lethbridge	February 11	Guy Turgeon	guy.turgeon@ufa.com
Airdrie	February 25	Wes Nail	wes.nail@ufa.com
Olds	March 31	Michelle Tennant	michelle.tennant@ufa.com

Any questions please contact:

A.J. Smith

Corporate Partners Coordinator

587.583.1152

smith@4hab.com

UFA Credit program

 

 

Starting this year UFA has created a new program to help 4-H Alberta members learn about financial responsibility and budgeting. This program has replaced the 15% discount that was previously offered by UFA.

UFA have launched a new accounts program which will allow 4-H Alberta members to open an account with UFA that will help them to purchase all the necessary tools, equipment, and feed that they need to complete and work with their 4-H projects throughout the year. At the end of each 4-H year they will then pay off the account. The account will be interest free until July 31^st, 2016. This new account system will help 4-H Alberta members to build more life skills as they learn to manage their money and budget their spending as they work on their project throughout the year. This unique opportunity will allow 4-H members to begin to handle their own finances and learn about the business side of their marketable livestock projects.

For more information, or for an application, visit your local UFA branch or http://ufa.com/aboutUFA/youth.aspx

 

Any questions please contact:

A.J. Smith

Corporate Partners Coordinator

587.583.1152

smith@4hab.com

 

UFA Growing Up Country video contest fan vote open!

 

Thank you to all the clubs who entered the UFA Growing Up Country Video Contest!!

 

We loved seeing how each of your clubs showed how your community is great!

 

Now make sure you check out the UFA Growing Up Country Facebook page here to see all the great videos that were entered, and don't forget to vote for your favourite! Just hit the 'like' button on whichever clubs video you like best.

 

 

Any questions please contact:
A.J. Smith

Corporate Partners Coordinator

587.583.1152

smith@4hab.com

 

Hands-on With UFA Store Nights

Hands-on with UFA – Educational Workshops

UFA is excited to offer 4-H clubs the opportunity to learn to do by doing with educational workshops at select UFA locations. Each workshop is unique and the participants are guaranteed to learn real-life skills. Each child will leave knowing how to make a rope halter, learning how to establish credit and having met new people in their community. Here’s a list of the participating locations.

 

Location	Date	Organizer	Contact
Westlock	November 24	Linde Schwerdt	linde.schwerdt@ufa.com
Ponoka	December 7	Chance McRobert	chance.mcrobert@ufa.com
Brooks	December 17	Ashley Oliver	ashley.oliver@ufa.com
Spruce Grove	January 28	Alexandra Kulak	alexandra.kulak@ufa.com
Lethbridge	February 11	Mike May	mike.may@ufa.com
Airdrie	February 25	Wes Nail	wes.nail@ufa.com
Olds	March 31	Michelle Tennant	michelle.tennant@ufa.com

The official invitation for each event will be emailed to your club leader, it will provide details on how to register through your leader for the event at the UFA branch closest to you.

For inquiries contact:

A.J. Smith

Corporate Partnerships Coordinator

587.583.1152

smith@4hab.com

UFA Growing Up Country video contest

We want you to show us what it means to Grow Up Country. Get together with your 4-H club, get out your cameras, and create a funny, entertaining or inspiring video that tells the world about the people and moments that make your community a place you're proud to call home.

You and your 4-H club could win one of more than a dozen cash prizes, including a Grand Prize of $3,000!

Entries must be submitted by November 9, 2015.

For more information visit UFA.com/filmit

Or contact:


A.J. Smith
4-H Foundation of Alberta
587-583-1152smith@4hab.com

PennWest Winter Clothing Drive - Rocky Mountain House

PennWest is once again presenting their "Winter Clothing Drive" this year November 2-8 in Drayton Valley and Rocky Mountain House!

 

Clubs, members, families and the general public in and around Rocky Mountain House are asked to bring their new or gently used winter clothing items to any of the participating Wild Rose School Division schools listed, UFA, or the Wild Rose School Division office all week long. Or they can be brought to the final event at B-94 Radio on Saturday November 7th.

 

For more information please contact:

A.J. Smith - 4-H Foundation of Alberta

587-583-1152

smith@4hab.com

Funding 4-H Alberta Projects

Funding 4-H Alberta Projects

ATB and UFA working together to support youth

Calgary, AB - ATB and UFA have created a joint loan and credit program to help support 4-H Alberta members with their yearly projects. ATB Financial will loan money to 4-H youth for the purchase of marketable livestock—beef, swine, sheep, meat goats and horses—or other approved projects. UFA will extend credit for supplies and feed for the project.

This is a great opportunity for youth to establish credit and understand how to borrow money responsibly. It’s never too early for the leaders of tomorrow to learn about financial responsibility. To apply for UFA credit, visit http://www.ufa.com/aboutUFA/youth.html and fill out the application form. ATB Financial’s applications can be found at http://www.atb.com/business/agriculture/agriculture-borrowing/loans/Pages/4-h-loan-program.aspx .

UFA and ATB believe in giving back to our communities and investing in our youth because it provides our neighbours a great place to live, work and play.

Congratulations to Ann-Marie Kalman, Recipient of the 2014 UFA 4-H Alumni Volunteer Service Award!

Ann-Marie Kalman was recognized on April 17th with the 2014 UFA 4-H Alumni Volunteer Service Award, for her relentless volunteer commitments during a celebration of Volunteer Canada’s National Volunteer Week.

“Ann-Marie is one of many volunteers that exemplifies the spirit of 4-H through community involvement. It is important to recognize these outstanding community leaders who make Alberta strong,” said Bruce Banks, CEO of 4-H Foundation of Alberta.

Kalman’s enthusiasm and dedication enhances 4-H, positively impacts youth in her community and makes Alberta stronger. Ann-Marie has been the leader of the Strathcona 4-H Reins Riders club for the past seven years, a member of the Hoofbeat 4-H Light Horse club for 11 years, coordinates highway clean ups, judges speaking competitions and Edmonton Public School science fairs. Her volunteer commitments are outstanding.

“Ann-Marie has chosen to commit countless hours volunteering for our local 4-H club. Some of us are wearing out as volunteers and thankfully young people like her have stepped up to make our community a better place. She has chosen to invest in the future,” said one of Ann-Marie’s nominators.

UFA Co-operative Limited provides the recipient a $2,000 gift certificate during National Volunteer Week each year. UFA values the importance of recognizing the outstanding contributions of volunteers that make our rural communities a better place for all. Ann-Marie’s recognition ceremony was held at the UFA Farm & Ranch Supply store in Fort Saskatchewan on April 17th.

“UFA takes being a good neighbour to heart,” said Kevin Hoppins, Chairman of the Board for UFA, “We are proud to partner with 4-H Alberta in order to recognize valuable volunteers like Ann-Marie, who give their time. They are the core of rural communities.” 

Congratulations to the 2014 UFA 4-H Alumni Volunteer Service Award, Ann-Marie Kalman!

2014 Recipient: 4-H Alberta, together with UFA, is pleased to congratulate the selected recipient of the 2014 UFA 4-H Alumni Volunteer Service Award, Ann-Marie Kalman! As a resident of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta Ann-Marie has dedicated countless hours to 4-H and to her community.

According to her nominators, “Ann-Marie has chosen to commit countless hours volunteering for our local 4-H club [the Strathcona 4-H Reigns Riders], as well as other groups. Some of us are wearing out as volunteers and thankfully young people like her have stepped up to keep our community a better place….she has chosen to invest in our future.”

As a member of the Hoofbeat 4-H Light Horse club for eleven years, Ann-Marie has been dedicated to 4-H and her community from the start. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Concordia University College of Alberta and has shared her knowledge by volunteering as a tutor for elementary and junior high school students and as a judge for the Edmonton Public School Science Fair. For the past seven years, Ann-Marie has been a leader for the Strathcona 4-H Reins Riders club, dedicating her time as a project leader for both Light Horse and Multi-Species Judging, and as the club’s Public Speaking Coordinator. In past years she has also served as the club’s Highway Clean-Up Coordinator and as a Public Speaking judge.

In addition to her wonderful contributions to 4-H Alberta, Ann-Marie also contributes time and energy to other worthy community events, associations, and clubs. She is the Edmonton Gymkhana Association “Friends of Finals” Coordinator, Director and volunteer for the Josephburg Riding Club, JAS Country Classic (UFA Country Classic Horse Show) volunteer, and past Queen Coordinator for the Edmonton Gymkhana Association. Ms. Kalman is a shining example of how a dedicated volunteer can positively impact many people and make lasting changes to her world.

The April 17th celebration in Fort Saskatchewan is held in conjunction with Canada’s 12th Annual National Volunteer Week, April 12 - 18, 2015. National Volunteer Week is a time to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of Canadian volunteers who make our communities a better place for all.

Recognition Event: Ann-Marie is to be presented with her award on Friday, April 17, 2015 at 4 p.m. at the UFA Farm & Ranch store in Fort Saskatchewan (11111 - 86 Avenue Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 3W6).

About the Award: The UFA 4-H Alumni Volunteer Service Award annually recognizes an individual who has demonstrated leadership through volunteerism. The individual has made noteworthy contributions to the development and advancement of their local community by getting involved in 4-H and other community activities.

To be recognized, the 4-H Alberta Alumni recipient must be between 20 and 35 years of age; have pursued post-secondary education; returned and remained committed to their rural roots; and have enhanced their community as a 4-H volunteer for at least two years.

The recipient of the UFA 4-H Alumni Volunteer Service Award will be presented with a $2,000 UFA gift certificate in recognition of their contributions.

UFA Announces First Winner of the UFA Get 'N' Give Contest

UFA has announced La Crete Community Initiatives as the first $50,000 winner of the UFA Get 'N' Give Contest. 

 

The contest enables each winning group to choose the next deserving project, in the ultimate rural act of kindness. 

La Create Community Initiative was chosen by the Marwayne Fire & Rescure as the first-round winner. They submitted a combined application for three projects. The projects are a riding arean, commemorative park - Jubilee Park - and the Fall Fair.  To view the winning application visit here.

 

The second edition of Get 'n' Give began Sept. 1, 2014 and runs until April 5, 2015. The next round of entries closes Nov. 16, 2014. Entries are accepted throughout the contest period and remain eligible until the final winner is chosen.

Communities that have a project that needs a boost are encouraged to enter.  A total of 5 - $50,000 prizes will be awarded. 

  

Rural community groups, societies, schools and clubs located within 200 km of a UFA Farm & Ranch Supply store or Petroleum agency are invited to enter.

 

Creativity is important, so applicants are encouraged to use video, photo collages, original songs and compelling stories to highlight how $50,000 would benefit their community project.

Full contest details are available at UFA.com/GetnGive.

UFA Co-operative Club Support Package Now Available!

As of April 1, 2014, the UFA 4-H Achievement Day Sponsor Support Packages are available at UFA Co-operative Limited store and agency locations for 4-H Alberta clubs to pick up.  Please ensure you make arrangements to pick up your package the location your club specified on the funding application form submitted to the 4-H Foundation of Alberta.

Each year, UFA provides direct financial funding and a UFA gift certificate to help support all 4-H Alberta Achievement Days.  Your Achievement Day marks the end of the 4-H year and is a way to celebrate and showcase the learning to do by doing, hard work, and accomplishment of your members.

The deadline to pick up the UFA 4-H Achievement Day Sponsor Support Packages is April 28, 2014. 

UFA will award $250,000 in total prizes during GetNGive Contest!

Between September 10, 2013 and April 15, 2014 UFA Co-operative Limited will be awarding five $50,000 prizes to organizations that champion rural sustainability! Over that time frame the total amount awarded will total $250,000.

 

UFA will be choosing the first winner on October 10, 2013.  Each winner will then select the subsequent winners.  It is the ultimate act of rural kindness!

 

Full details and rules and regulations can be found at www.UFA.com/GetnGive.

 

Who can enter?

 

Any group that resides within 200 km of a UFA location in Alberta, Saskatchewan or British Columbia, and has a project that will support or enrich their rural community and have a lasting impact.

 

What kind of project would be eligible?

 

Any project that supports and enriches rural communities. It could be everything from a new piece of equipment to the foundation for a new riding arena, or even the development to an existing structure in your community. 

 

 

How are the winners chosen?

 

UFA judging is involved to choose the first winner.  For the remaining four (4) winners, the judges will assess all entries based on the same criteria and will submit five (5) semi-finalists to the winning group.  They will then choose the next project to win based on the same criteria as the UFA judges.