The last week has been a hectic one for our company and its partners as we have welcomed 20 Korean 4-H Club members to Regina and Saskatoon for a discovery of the Saskatchewan world of agriculture, minus the crops in the field. So we had to throw in a few of the classic tourist elements--like the Legislative Building visit.
It was a big surprise to find out that the 4-H movement is as significant as it is in South Korea. Here is how it is described on the official English language website.
"4-H in Korea had its beginnings in Gyunggi province in 1947 as a community-based organization dedicated to the growth and development of rural youth. After suffering from the oppressive Japanese domination and Korean War, 4-H in Korea oriented to revive its underdeveloped rural communities and to properly guide the nation's disheartened youth.
In 1952, the Korean government designated 4-H as a national project. Since then, 4-H became the primitive model of the nation-wide Sae-ma-ul movement in Korea. In general, 4-H activities have grown enormously enough to lead the modernization and democracy of rural communities in Korea.
Today's programs continue to serve not only rural but also urban communities. Open to both boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 29, 4-H focuses on developing well rounded, responsible and independent citizens.
Recently 4-H involves more than 61 thousand youth (students: 44,439, young farmers: 15,696, the others: 1,722), 4.5 million alumni, and thousands of supporters. More and more urban young people are discovering the amazing benefits of 4-H involvement!"
Well it must be said that they were a very friendly and jovial group of guests. We treated them to the afternoon Parade at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Academy.
A few pictures were taken there. This is definitely one of the highlights of their trip.
They went to Saskatoon for a couple of days to enjoy visits at the Western Development Museums; Wanuskewin Heritage Park; they visited the Kelsey Campus of the Saskatchewan Institute of Science and technology; the Ukrainian Museum of Canada and the College of Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan. They then returned south to spend some quality time at the Beaver Creek Horse Centre in Lumsden, where they met Brenda and Barry Clemens and their family and friends.
By the time they arrived, they were good and ready for Brenda's Chili.
The living room had been turned into a dining room for twenty at the ranch house.
The meal was followed by an informal discussion on the nature of livestock production in Canada...
The next morning started with a ranch visit right in the midst of a spring melt, which proved a little challenging for Asian footwear... but not for the spirit of our guests.
They were fascinated by the costs of forage in Saskatchewan compared to much higher costs in Korea.
Shortly after the ranch tour, we headed to Griffith's petting zoo across the road.
The petting zoo was definitely a hit.
After which, we headed back to the ranch for lunch cooked on the BBQ and a bit of a campfire.
We had a visit at the Arm River Hutterite Colony after lunch and Barry took everyone out for a late afternoon wagon ride.
The main event fo the day turned out to be the ranch demonstration in the heated arena. First, our guests were shown how cows are caught with a lasso and immobilized for treatment out in the pastures.
Then, our new friends got a chance to ride themselves... initially with a lead rope.
Then, some more adventurous riders insisted to ride by themselves. They did well.
Everyone had a turn... even Kent, our Korean interpreter. He is a Business Administration student at the University of Regina.
Of course, time had to be made for the traditional shot with the 4-H banner.
Then, our would-be cowboys got to try their hand at roping.
I think everyone agrees that this was quite an adventure for everyone involved. Already, some of our guests have shown an interest in coming back to the ranch... during summertime!
It was a big surprise to find out that the 4-H movement is as significant as it is in South Korea. Here is how it is described on the official English language website.
In 1952, the Korean government designated 4-H as a national project. Since then, 4-H became the primitive model of the nation-wide Sae-ma-ul movement in Korea. In general, 4-H activities have grown enormously enough to lead the modernization and democracy of rural communities in Korea.
Today's programs continue to serve not only rural but also urban communities. Open to both boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 29, 4-H focuses on developing well rounded, responsible and independent citizens.
Recently 4-H involves more than 61 thousand youth (students: 44,439, young farmers: 15,696, the others: 1,722), 4.5 million alumni, and thousands of supporters. More and more urban young people are discovering the amazing benefits of 4-H involvement!"
Well it must be said that they were a very friendly and jovial group of guests. We treated them to the afternoon Parade at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Academy.
A few pictures were taken there. This is definitely one of the highlights of their trip.
They went to Saskatoon for a couple of days to enjoy visits at the Western Development Museums; Wanuskewin Heritage Park; they visited the Kelsey Campus of the Saskatchewan Institute of Science and technology; the Ukrainian Museum of Canada and the College of Agriculture at the University of Saskatchewan. They then returned south to spend some quality time at the Beaver Creek Horse Centre in Lumsden, where they met Brenda and Barry Clemens and their family and friends.
By the time they arrived, they were good and ready for Brenda's Chili.
The living room had been turned into a dining room for twenty at the ranch house.
The meal was followed by an informal discussion on the nature of livestock production in Canada...
The next morning started with a ranch visit right in the midst of a spring melt, which proved a little challenging for Asian footwear... but not for the spirit of our guests.
They were fascinated by the costs of forage in Saskatchewan compared to much higher costs in Korea.
Shortly after the ranch tour, we headed to Griffith's petting zoo across the road.
The petting zoo was definitely a hit.
After which, we headed back to the ranch for lunch cooked on the BBQ and a bit of a campfire.
We had a visit at the Arm River Hutterite Colony after lunch and Barry took everyone out for a late afternoon wagon ride.
The main event fo the day turned out to be the ranch demonstration in the heated arena. First, our guests were shown how cows are caught with a lasso and immobilized for treatment out in the pastures.
Then, our new friends got a chance to ride themselves... initially with a lead rope.
Then, some more adventurous riders insisted to ride by themselves. They did well.
Everyone had a turn... even Kent, our Korean interpreter. He is a Business Administration student at the University of Regina.
Of course, time had to be made for the traditional shot with the 4-H banner.
Then, our would-be cowboys got to try their hand at roping.
Learning how to rope a dummy cow is all part of the basic training.
I think everyone agrees that this was quite an adventure for everyone involved. Already, some of our guests have shown an interest in coming back to the ranch... during summertime!
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