ROCKWOOD, ONT. (November 4, 2021) – In the Fall of 2021, 4-H Ontario received a $15,000 sponsorship from Grand Valley Fortifiers to update the 4-H Swine Project Resource. 4-H youth participating in the Swine Project will learn about swine husbandry as well as how to provide consumers with lean, nutritious pork. 4-H Ontario will receive $5,000 a year over the next three years to update this project resource.  

“4-H Ontario is thankful for the support of Grand Valley Fortifiers to update this project resource,” says Marianne Fallis, Senior Manager Programming. “When looking at the swine industry there have been many advancements in animal husbandry practices, biosecurity, and animal tracing that need to be reflected in our resource. This support will ensure that the 4-H Ontario Swine Project will reflect the high standards of farmers in Canada when it comes to raising pigs and provide the information beneficial for our participants to Learn To Do By Doing.” 

The existing 4-H Swine Project Resource was released in 2007. The 4-H Swine project resource update will include new innovations in swine housing and nutrition, updates to the national swine traceability system, current consumer trends and more, while ensuring that the high standards as set out in the Canadian National Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs are met and exceeded by our 4-H youth.  

“Grand Valley Fortifiers is honoured to support this important 4-H initiative as we believe the education of young people interested in farming is extremely valuable for the future of Canadian agriculture and the development of Ontario’s youth. Canadian pork producers are some of the most effective and efficient producers of pork in the world and sharing this valuable knowledge of animal husbandry, biosecurity and nutrition with the next generation is key to the future success of our industry. It is a privilege to invest in young people through the proven 4-H model of Learn To Do By Doing,” says David Ross, VP & CMO at the GVF group. 

The 4-H Swine Project is part of the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security pillar, one of the four leadership development pillars identified by 4-H Canada. The goals associated with the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security pillar include giving 4-H’ers the opportunity to learn about food as a consumer and producer, explore innovative and sustainable farming practices, and discover news ways to improve nutrition and food security.  

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About 4-H Ontario 

4-H Ontario is a non-profit positive youth development organization that builds youth as leaders within their communities and assets to the world. With roots in rural Ontario, today it is open to youth of all backgrounds across the province. 4-H youth ages 6–21 and screened, engaged volunteer leaders come together to learn about selected topics through fun hands-on activities and mentorship. There are also provincial camps, conferences, competitions, and national and international travel opportunities available to further develop skills in leadership, business, self-confidence and more. 4-H provides youth with a place they can be involved, accepted, valued and heard while developing valuable skills for leadership and life. 

For more information, please contact: 

Laura Goulding, Manager, Communications, 4-H Ontario 

519.803.5026, communications@4-hontario.ca 

About Grand Valley Fortifiers  

“Grand Valley Fortifiers is a Canadian family-owned livestock nutrition company founded in 1960 specialising in the formulation, manufacture, and sale of high-quality premix and complete feed nutrition products. These products are sold direct to farm to help enable swine, dairy, poultry and beef producers achieve the best possible production at the lowest possible cost of production. The Grand Valley Fortifiers team is a skilled group of individuals focused on providing sound nutritional products backed by intentional customer service and support. 

Grand Valley Fortifiers is a member of the GVF group of companies and works holistically and synergistically with hundreds of farming operations in Canada and the United States with the core purpose of profitable farms, healthy food, and improved lives.” 

Contact information: 
For more information, please contact: 

David Ross, CMO & VP, Grand Valley Fortifiers 

519.621.4400, davidross@grandvalley.com