Astronaut Roberta Bondar presented photos from her 1992 travels on the NASA space shuttle Discovery. Her view from space emphasized the importance of agricultural research and technology in being able to feed a growing planet with ever decreasing arable land.

In recognition of volunteer members, three Lifetime Honourary memberships were granted during the Gala, including Bertram "Bert" Stewart of Ontario.

This honour, granted to fewer than 60 individuals over the past century, recognizes the recipients for their dedication, commitment and passion for 4-H in Canada.

Since 1990, Stewart has taken championship 4-H teams from Ontario to the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin, to compete at that national competition.

In 2012, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He also is a lifetime Honourary Governor of the board of directors for the Royal Winter Fair and has been inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame.

Over the past few months, Stewart has been a strong supporter of the $100 for 100 Years Legacy Fund Years Legacy Fund, which invites past and present 4-Hers to donate $100 to help build a strong and vibrant future for 4-H in Canada.

Two other Lifetime Honourary memberships were given during the Gala, one to Dori Gingera-Beauchemin of Manitoba and the other to Marguerite Stark of Alberta.

On May 31, nearly 60 guests visited the 4-H museum in Roland, Manitoba, which included the unveiling of a Canada Post Commemorative Envelope honouring “the successes of 4-H in Canada,” according to the group.

The first 4-H club originated in Roland, Manitoba, in 1913. Today, there are about 26,000 members and 8,000 leaders in every province across the country.  PD

—From 4-H Canada news release