Editor's Note: The following is our latest 4-H Member of the Month, sponsored by Nelson Motors and Equipment. We thank Nelson Motors for their continued support of this initiative, and we salute 4-H for continuing to make a difference in the lives of young people.
Name: Matthew Van De Woestyne
Club: Browning Multiple 4-H Club
Age: 15
Age group: Intermediate
Years in 4-H: Two
Matthew Van De Woestyne hasn’t been in 4-H for very long, but he’s glad he joined.
Van De Woestyne is in his second year with the Browning Multiple 4-H Club. He said he joined because he wanted to learn to ride horses and show cattle. He has been able to do both, and he has enjoyed the experience.
His equestrian skills have improved a lot, he said, and he has learned how to show and groom cattle and how to halter break the animals.
He had a heifer in the Estevan Rotary Regional 4-H Show last year, too.
Van De Woestyne has also enjoyed the fundraising. Last year the club sold hotdogs and hamburgers at a local vet clinic, and this year they are selling 4-H bags.
Among the fun activities was a recent Christmas party that he said was great, and he has met some good people. He is looking forward to being part of the 4-H public speaking competitions this year; they were cancelled the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Van De Woestyne believes young people would have a lot of fun in 4-H if they give it a chance.
“I would recommend joining 4-H to anyone who is interested in learning about animals, or learning to ride horses or show cattle,” he said.