The name Mary-Ann Carson and 4-H are almost synonymous in the community in and around Maidstone, and Carson's dedication to the youth organization was recently recognized by the Saskatchewan 4-H Council.
March 26, at an annual 4-H recognition banquet in Saskatoon, Carson and two other individuals were named to the Saskatchewan 4-H Hall of Fame.
The Saskatchewan 4-H Hall of Fame honours and preserves the history of extraordinary people whose commitment and volunteerism helped make 4-H and their membership strong.
Also honoured were Arthur Adamson, Meadow Lake, and Vi Protz, Kelvington.
Carson has been involved in 4-H for 31 years and is currently the general leader of the Maidstone Gully Multiple 4-H Club. Carson has been a project leader (led 17 projects), general leader, served on District 35 4-H Council as vice-president and president, the Saskatchewan 4-H Council board of directors, the National 4-H Council board of directors and has volunteered on various committees and trips over the years.
Letters of reference state, "Mary-Ann has given endless hours to the program and its members at every level. She has influenced many members and leaders over the years, and has changed the lives of many."
Mary-Ann (Ormiston) Carson was born in 1954 in Indian Head. She married Irvin in 1973 and together they have farmed at Maidstone on the family farm. There they raised three children - Kent, Collette and Louise - all of whom were active 4-Hers. Presently four of their seven grandchildren are in 4-H.
Carson was a member of the Happy Valley and Edgeley Multiple 4-H Clubs for four years. During this time, she attended the National 4-H Conference in Toronto. This was only the beginning of a long career with 4-H.
Carson has been involved with the Maidstone Gully Multiple 4-H Club for 27 years. Carson has always encouraged her club to try new things including taking over the care and maintenance of the community playground in Maidstone, putting on drama productions and cowboy poetry nights as fundraisers and especially creating 4-U projects to suit their interests.
In her work with District 35 4-H Council, Carsonn has been influential and has helped the district start the Chad Bullerwell Memorial Bursary and the District 35 Hall of Fame. She has organized two exchange trips and a "Looking Good, Feeling Great" workshop. She helps organize the multi-project portion of 4-H Expo in Lloydminster. She also encouraged the council to have a junior executive.
Carson has also served on the Saskatchewan 4-H Council for 17 years and the Saskatchewan 4-H Foundation for six years.
She has also served at the national level for eight years, holding various executive positions including President of the Canadian 4-H Council. She also served as assistant director and director for the National 4-H Conference.
Apart from her 4-H experience, Carson is committed to her community. She has worked at the Maidstone Group Home as a casual program worker and home operator for 16 years. She is currently the bookkeeper for the Lloydminster Feeder Co-op. She is an active member of the Milleton Hall, Lloydminster Exhibition and the North of the Gully Drama Club.
Carson has given endless hours to the program and its members at every level. She has influenced many members and leaders over the years, and has changed the lives of many, according to her nomination submitted by the District 35 4-H Council
Arthur Adamson, Meadow Lake (1925 - 2008)
Adamson began his 4-H career as a parent in 1965 and then next as general leader of the Makwa 4-H Beef Club. Throughout his years in 4-H, he sat on the District 4-H Council. He also spent countless hours promoting 4-H in the district and around Meadow Lake to businesses.
"He made 4-H fun and enjoyable for many young people. He has inspired many young people to be better citizens, and to be 4-H supporters. He is fondly remembered by many in his club and district. Many people from his area have commented that when 4-H is mentioned, Art Adamson comes to mind," according to letters of reference.
Vi Protz
Protz started her 4-H career in 1955 as a 4-H member in the Killaly 4-H Club, where she completed the knitting and sewing projects. Vi also served as project and general leader of the Kelvington Multiple club for 10 years, and project and general leader of the Yorkton Creators 4-H Club for 24 years, and also served on the Saskatchewan 4-H board of directors.
Letters of reference state, "Vi has made an outstanding impact with many youth. She encourages members to try new and different things, to learn to do by doing, and to follow the 4-H pledge. Even if they fail, she encourages them to not give up and try again until they achieve their goals."
A complete biography of each of the inductees can be found at: http://www.4-h.sk.ca/news.php?p=hall-of-fame
