GUELPH, ONT. (Nov. 19, 2024) – Ashley Cain of the Brant 4-H Association was awarded the 2024 Bertram and Hazel Stewart 4-H Dairy Youth Education Award and Bursary at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto on November 4. The Award and Bursary was established by the Stewart family in honour of the late Bertram and Hazel Stewart’s deep commitment and passion toward agriculture, education and 4-H.

“Such an honour to give this award my parents established in 2011. Mom and Dad’s passion for 4-H, education and agriculture will now carry on for years to come,” says Kelly Stewart-French, daughter of Bertram and Hazel Stewart.

Ashley lives on a dairy farm and began her 4-H journey in the Cloverbuds program. Throughout her 4-H tenure she has completed 20 4-H projects, attended the Impact Conference and looks forward to soon becoming a 4-H youth leader. “All of the information learned [through 4-H] has shaped my ideas for my future in farming,” says Ashley. “We currently milk our cows in a tie stall barn and eventually need to change the design. As a family, we discuss our ideas and I feel like I can contribute my ideas, learned from my 4-H meetings.”

To be considered for the Bertram and Hazel Stewart 4-H Dairy Youth Education Award and Bursary, applicants must be a 4-H participant in good standing who is enrolled in Grade 9, 10 or 11 and has expressed intent to pursue post-secondary education.

“Thank you to the Stewart Family for working with the Ontario 4-H Foundation to ensure that Bert and Hazel’s memories are honoured. Your parents were immensely dedicated to the mission of the Foundation and to supporting youth development through the 4-H program. Their legacy lives on through this award,” says Naomi Lutes, Chair, Ontario 4-H Foundation. 

Each year the committee selects one recipient who is presented their award during the TD Canadian Dairy 4-H Classic held at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. Once the award recipient successfully completes their first year of post-secondary education, they will receive a $1,000 bursary.  Applications for the Bertram and Hazel Stewart 4-H Dairy Youth Education Award and Bursary will re-open 2025.

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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