Editor's Note: This is the latest article in our Nelson Motors 4-H Member of the Month series. We thank Nelson Motors for their continued support of this promotion, and we applaud 4-H for all it continues to do for young people in southeast Saskatchewan.
Name: Kate Nielsen
Club: Alameda Beef 4-H Club
Age: 18
Years in 4-H: Nine
Age group: Senior
Kate Nielsen has been a 4-H member since she was really young, but it wasn't until she was about 11 years old that she found her passion for the organization.
"From there, it's just something that's really driven me and something that I've really enjoyed," said Nielsen.
She enjoys helping the younger kids in the club, and sharing her knowledge and passion with the kids, as Nielsen recalls how the older member were mentors for her when she was young.
The 4-H livestock judging program has been a real highlight for Nielsen. Last year she went to regionals and provincials.
"From judging provincials, I actually qualified for the youth livestock national judging competition at the Canadian Western Agribition last fall," she recalled. "I had a lot of fun, I learned a bunch of stuff, and I got to meet lots of new members and lots of different 4-H members from across not only the province but the country."
She has conducted lots of demonstrations, including some for clubs outside the area. Nielsen has met lots of people through 4-H. She has been part of the Regional 4-H Show and Sale, and she's looking forward to this year's sale on June 8 in Alameda. And she has been part of the 4-H public speaking competition.
"I think public speaking is … a good skill for everyone to have. I think it's come in handy for me. I've done a lot travelling around and doing what I do with the whole 4-H thing, I think it's come in handy having to speak in front of people or having to speak about our club to other people," said Nielsen.
She hopes to remain involved with 4-H once she ages out of the program by judging cattle at the club or regional shows. She would recommend 4-H and the Alameda club to other people because of all it has done for her.