4-H Saskatchewan Staff

Our staff team is based out of the Provincial 4-H Office in Saskatoon. 

Shelby Corey
​​EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (Interim)

Shelby Corey is the Interim Executive Director of 4-H Saskatchewan, effective January 12, 2022. 
 
Shelby knows the 4-H program well through her experiences as a member, volunteer, and most recently as our Development Officer for 4-H Saskatchewan. She is a rural rancher, industry leader, and former RM Councilor. 
 
With a background in agribusiness and strong relationships with 4-H Saskatchewan's stakeholders and sponsors, Shelby is well poised to lead the organization in the short term as the Board of Directors engages in a recruitment process for a permanent Executive Director. 
 
Welcome back, Shelby! We look forward to your leadership as our Interim ED. 
​

Karrie Watson 
Executive Administrator - Member and Leader Services

Hometown: Born and raised in Perdue, Saskatchewan and reside there still with my husband.
Best Part About Working For 4-H: I believe whole heartedly in what 4-H can do for not only kids, but adults as well. 4-H brings families and communities together and holds on to a value system that many don’t have the opportunity to experience today.
History With 4-H: I was a 4-H member for 10 years with the Catherwood Multiple 4-H Club and participated in everything offered. 
Children/Pets: We have 4 children, ages 7, 11, 14 and 19 as well as our dog  (Duchess) and cats (Diva and Bodie).

Sandi Sirois
Accounting Officer

Hometown: Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Best Part About Working For 4-H: ​ Knowing that you're contributing to a very positive organization for young people and therefore helping form our future generations.
Kids/Pets: Three children; two boys and a girl ranging in age from 13 to 20. Also have two cats that allow us to share the house with them.
Favourite Colour:  Green
Favourite Movie:  Jaws, first saw it at the age of 11 and it instilled in me a lifelong fear of sharks.

SANDRA HESSDORFER
DEVELOPMENT & Program  Specialist
Hometown: I was born in BC and grew up on a farm with an orchard and nearly every type of livestock you can think of outside of Vernon. Currently I live on a mixed farm near St. Benedict with my husband and two sons. 
Best Part About Working for 4-H: I love working for 4-H because it brings together two of my passions; Agriculture and Education.
History with 4-H: In BC I was able to take part in the Light Horse project for a short time and now I volunteer with the Three Lakes 4-H Beef Club where both of my boys have been members since the age of 6.
Favourite Place I Have Travelled: Slovenia! My dad is from this small European country and was the only person in his immediate family to move. The beauty and historical sites are something that I will never forget.
Favourite Food: Schnitzel. We owned 2 concession stands growing up and in both we served my mom’s (Austrian heritage) homemade schnitzel!
Favourite Singer: Dolly Parton! I have loved Dolly since a child and even got upset with my parents when they didn’t get her to come to my 6th birthday.

Shirley Wensley
Administrative Assistant

Hometown: ​ Originally from a farm near Wilkie, Saskatchewan. Currently resides in Martensville, Saskatchewan.
Best Part About Working For 4-H: ​ I've met so many awsome people working at 4-H.  I enjoy working with an organization for youth that is focused on youth leadership.  
Favourite Colour:  Blue
Favourite Movie:  My two favorite movies are Pretty Woman and Love Actually.  I also love any Disney movie.  
Pets/Kids:  One pretty awesome kid, Brock. I also have a springer spaniel named Sawyer.

Kalynne Martin
North west regional 4-H specialist

​Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Currently resides in Delisle, Saskatchewan.
Favorite color: Purple
Favorite Book Series: Harry Potter
Best part of working for 4-H: As someone who has a background in formal education I firmly believe that learning that happens outside of the classroom is just as important what happens in school. Also, that learning doesn’t stop once you complete your schooling. When people are given the opportunity work together with different generations it helps develop better community involvement and retention. 4-H is a great way for all ages to get involved with learning by doing.
Pets: I have a wonderful cat name Leonard (Leo for short) He is always happy and by the door to greet me when I get home!

Shelby Longworth 
Development & PrograM Manager

Hometown: Harris, SK 
History with 4-H: I was a Beef Member for eleven years, starting off in the Catherwood Multiple 4-H Club and later the Eagle Creek 4-H Beef Club.  I was a part of both the heifer and steer projects, and I can still remember the names of all my 4-H steers! 
Best Part of Working For 4-H: I love meeting new people, and I love working for the organization that helped me learn so much when I was a youth. I believe that 4-H teaches youth about confidence, communication, and community, and these are all very important values in my life.  
Craziest Job: For one of my summer jobs, I worked as a tour guide for the “Chicago Connection” tour at the Tunnels of Moose Jaw. I loved dressing up in costume every day and working with some very energetic and fun people!

MELODI HAWKESFORD-LEE
SOUTH EAST REGIONAL 4-H SPECIALIST

Hometown: Fillmore SK
History with 4-H: I was a 4-H member in the Fillmore 4-H Homecraft Club for 9 years, back when you had to be 9 years old to join. I took many projects including Crafts, Sewing, Car Care, Babysitting, Foods, Taking Care of Yourself and my personal favourite, Exploring 4-H!  I have been a Regional 4-H Specialist since 2001 and have enjoyed the many exciting challenges and changes 4-H has undergone over the years.
Best Part About Working For 4-H: The People, hands down!  Never will you meet a more passionate, hard working, honest, down-to-earth and humourous bunch of people than in 4-H.  I also think Learn to do by Doing is the best motto ever - I live it every day (especially now that I have kids!)
Interesting Experiences: I love to travel, with some of my highlights being the United Kingdom, France, Cuba, Ukraine, USA and good old Canada!  Definitely one of craziest experiences was driving in a rental car from Boston Massachusetts to August Maine all by myself when I was 18.  I got so turned around, I drove in the complete wrong direction to the complete wrong state!!

KAITLYN KELLER
SOUTH WEST REGIONAL 4-H SPECIALIST ​

Kaitlyn has been the South West Regional 4-H Specialist for two years and loves being able to come out to club and district events, where she gets to see the members shine!
​
4-H had a huge influence on Kaitlyn as a youth and she is an avid supporter of the 4-H program. She has a passion to help youth and adults seek their passion in life, encouraging them to do what they love as a career. Kaitlyn and her siblings are the fifth generation of The Cliffs Farm, the oldest Polled Hereford breeders in Canada. She is a 4-H alumni with the Saskatoon 4-H Beef Club, where she was a member for 13 years.

When she is not traveling around south west Saskatchewan with 4-H business, she can be found spending time with her husband, basset hound and cattle. She loves to travel, having the opportunity to visit many countries around the world and has been to every Canada province (excluding the territories).  ​​

Raeanne Pettifer
North East Regional 4-H Specialist​

Hometown: Strathmore, Alberta. Strathmore is 45 minutes east of Calgary!  

Best Part of working for 4-H: Being able to work in agriculture education has been a long-term goal of mine and I enjoy that working for 4-H lets me do that! The second-best thing is getting to meet people throughout Saskatchewan. 
 
History with 4-H: I had the opportunity to partake in Dog Agility with my local 4-H club. I worked with an Australian Shepard named Ruby who had a talent for not listening unless there was bribery involved. 
​ 
Favourite Travel Spot: I am a big skier and love being able to travel to new mountains. Whitefish in Montana has been my favourite spot so far. I meet a surprising number of people from Saskatchewan who have gone to ski there!  ​

HAROLD THE HARE

OUR LOVEABLE 4-H SASKATCHEWAN MASCOT

Harold hopped into being in 2004, thanks to 4-H member Mandy March, who created him in a contest. 

He has a "hop to it" attitude and tries to attend as many 4-H events across the province as he can. He has been spotted on national travel opportunities, provincial events, club activities and has even tried his hand at curling! 

You can always contact the 4-H office to see if he is available to head down to your event! ​

​Board of Directors

The role of the Board of Directors is to set direction and policy of the 4-H program. They contribute to defining the organization’s Mission, Vision and Core Values and governing the fulfillment of those.
Board members are elected for two-year terms. The Saskatchewan Board of Directors consists of:
  • Three registered leaders elected by each of the four regions (Leader Delegates)
  • Two currently registered members (18 and older) (Member Delegates)
  • One representative appointed by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
  • The Executive Director (ex-officio)
  • The immediate Past President may be an addition board member if not a regional leader delegate

The Board of Directors elects several positions from amongst its members. Official positions are elected for a one-year term. Below are the current elected officials:
  • President: Cameron Choquette
  • Vice-President: Becky Huber
  • Secretary: Brittany Stepp
  • Representative to the Advisory Council: Louise Sroka
  • Representative to the Saskatchewan 4-H Foundation: Mike Kirzinger 

​Our board of directors is elected at the Annual General Meeting of March each year. If you are a registered leader who would like to be considered for a position on the Board of Directors, complete a Board of Directors / Advisory Council Nomination Consent Form and submit it to the Provincial 4-H Office prior to AGM.  ​

Cameron Choquette
NORTH WEST LEADER DELEGATE 
LEADER, TOON TOWN 4-H CLUB | DISTRICT #22

As a member for 13 years, Cameron was involved with beef, Junior Leader and Future Leader projects. Now a leader with Toon Town 4-H Club in Saskatoon, Cam supports urban youth as a Project Leader. 

Cam has served on the Board since 2014; two years as a Member Delegate and four years as the NW Leader Delegate. During this time he served as the Board's Secretary and in 2021, Cam was elected President of the Board. 

He is an active volunteer with several organizations in Saskatoon and works full-time as the CEO of the Saskatchewan Landlord Association. He holds an Honours Degree in Commerce from the Edwards School of Business, two certificates in not-for-profit and public sector governance and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Administration at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.

​Leah Clark

Ministry of Agriculture Representative 

Leah has a M.Sc. in agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan, with a major in animal science and a minor in rangeland resources.  Her M.Sc. thesis in animal nutrition focuses on wheat-based dried distillers' grain as a protein and energy source for beef stocker calves in extensive grazing programs.

​She maintains an active interest in water quality and ruminant nutrition. 

Michell Heidecker

North East Leader Delegate
General Leader, three lakes 4-H Beef Club
 District #28

Michell has been a 4-H general leader and beef leader for the past four years and leader the newly formed 4-U Intro to Beef project which encouraged 6 new members to join 4-H SK. she is also currently the secretary for District #28. Michell is a strong advocate for the public speaking portion of the 4-H program.

Alongside her husband of 27 years, Michell is a cattle rancher and grain farmer, managing the farm’s financials and crew. Together they have four successful children that she believes is due to their participation and achievements in 4-H.

She has also volunteered on many different boards and assumed many executive positions within my community, her church and provincial cattle breeder boards.  She has also ran a home-based businesses and a “Mom & Tot’s” preschool groups in her community. 

Michell is passionate about 4-H.  She believes 4-H gives youth a voice and the confidence that they will be heard, and has seen firsthand what 4-H has given her children and the members of their 4-H club.  Michell wants to see more youth involved in 4-H.  Michell loves being part of an organization that empowers youth and helps them find their passions.

Stan Figley

South West Leader Delegate 
Project Leader, Kyle Multiple 4-H Club | District #40

​Stan is a heavy equipment operator and runs a ranch in White Bear with his wife, Shelley. He has been a 4-H beef club leader for the Kyle Multiple 4-H Club for about 20 years. He started with 4-H as a member, before becoming a leader and has been involved with agriculture all of his life.

In addition to being a Director on the Canadian 4-H Council Board, Stan also volunteers his time with the Matador Pasture Patrons, and to the Swift Current Ag and Ex Livestock Planning Committee, helping to put on a four-day show that attracts over 150 4-H’ers.

His experience as a long-time 4-H leader, as well as experience on other boards and knowledge from tax and financial courses, will benefit him on the Board.

Mike Kirzinger

North East Leader Delegate 
Assistant General & Project Leader, Viscount 4-H Beef Club | District #21

4-H is a family affair in the Kirzinger household, with Mike as the General Leader for the Viscount 4-H Beef Club, Nancy (Mike’s wife) the Project Leader for Digital Photography & Cooking and their children are active members in the Club, District, and Regional level. He has also been an active member in District 21 holding executive position and helping organize numerous Club and District events. He is also currently a member of the Prairieland Junior Ag Showcase Planning Committee for the Regional Show in July. 

Mike believes that it takes a community to raise a child, all the interactions our youth have with people growing up help to develop and shape them into the adults they will become. The 4-H program gives youth the opportunity to grow, develop and challenge themselves in a safe environment. By being a part of the Board of Directors as a Leader Delegate, Mike can give back to a program that has given himself and his family so much. With his extensive experience in the agriculture industry and community service, Mike feels that he can be an active and effective delegate in a diverse group to continue to advance 4-H in Saskatchewan. 

Kylie Mackie

SOUTH WEST LEADER DELEGATE 
LEADER, Reno MULTIPLE 4-H CLUB | DISTRICT #10

Kylie lives on the south slope of the Cypress Hills where she ranches with her husband, Dean and their three kids.

She has been involved in 4-H since she was 8 years old. She was a member, volunteer, judge and is now the beef leader of the Reno Multiple 4-H club. She also sits on the District #10 Board, along with the Regional Fair Committee.

She has a huge passion for youth in agriculture and wants to see all youth succeed. She believes that accountability, respect, fair play, good communication, and diversity are very important aspects to 4-H Saskatchewan. She likes to meet different people involved in 4-H, hearing what they are up to, and taking new ideas back to her club. She wanted to become a board member to make sure 4-H is around for years to come, so all kids can be involved and have opportunities. She thinks 4-H is a great program and would like to help it grow. 

Glenn Gress

South East Leader Delegate
Beef Project Leader, Browning 4-H Beef Club | District #1

Glenn has been involved with the Browning 4-H Multiple Club (formerly Browning 4-H Beef Club) for 18 years, and is currently the club’s General Leader, as well as a Beef and Light Horse Project Leader.  He has served as coach for his club’s 4-H curling team, where they have advanced to Provincials several times.

​Glenn not only has extensive knowledge about the Beef industry, he is also an excellent horseman and certified horse clinician.  Glenn brings a lot to the 4-H Saskatchewan Board of Directors in that he has a thorough understanding of boards and policies, as he has served on several boards within his community.

​He and his family live on a farm west of Lampman, SK.

becky Huber

North West Leader Delegate
handel Multiple 4-H Club | District #24

Becky and her husband, as well as their four kids operate DR Huber Farms Ltd.  They farm for commercial production as well as pedigree seed production. They market and sell seeds from their location at Landis, Saskatchewan.

She has held numerous positions on many of the local community businesses and volunteer committees. She was a board member for the Landis Credit Union for numerous years as well as the Chair of the board for 2 years.  Currently, Becky is the General Leader of the Handel Multiple 4-H Club and has been fulfilling that role for the past 10 years.

Becky was a 4-H member for 10 years. She feels the experiences that the 4-H program have afforded her are numerous.   She is excited to have the opportunity to give back to the organization that has given so much to her.  

Dylan Watt

18-yr-old Member Delegate
Member, saskatoon Beef club | District #22

Dylan Watt is part of the Saskatoon 4-H Beef Club and is in his 12th consecutive year of 4-H. He is part of the Beechy Multiple 4-H Club for and has completed the beef, archery, and photography projects. He has held executive positions at the club level including president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. Most recently he has been an Ambassador for the South West region and enjoyed promoting 4-H. Currently, he is attending school at the U of S for a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness. 

Dylan grew up in a small town called Beechy and learned the importance of community and teamwork from being around the same people all the time. For six years he was a part of the school’s leadership program. He was also part of our school division’s leadership team where he worked with the board of directors to resolves issues within the schools.

He has also had the opportunity to attend the Canadian Student Leadership Conference and the U.S National 4-H Conference. Dylan has experiences has taught him the importance of governance in youth, and how to give back to his community. He is excited to have this opportunity to be on the Board of Directors!

Trena HOffus-Preston

North East Leader Delegate
General Leader, RRRR 4-H Multiple Club | District #32

Trena was introduced to 4-H about 10 years ago when her daughters expressed their passion for horses and animals and wanted to join the local 4-H Club. She was quickly recruited as a project leader for outdoor adventure, and has since been a  leader for several ​projects since such as poultry, photography, bee keeping, veterinary and junior leader. For the past six years she has taken on the role of General Leader for the RRRR 4-H Multiple Club.  She also is a representative for District 32, and most recently has served as a 4-H Saskatchewan Ambassador.  

Not only does Trena enjoy her role as a general leader, but she sincerely feels a great sense of satisfaction watching 4-H members grow at a provincial and national level. It never ceases to amaze her what knowledgeable, respectful, committed and compassionate young leaders the 4-H program has sculpted. 

She also believes 4-H is an excellent program for adults. As a leader, the 4-H program has proved her the opportunity to expand her knowledge about the 4-H program, from the club, provincial and national level and has provided her with valuable training and experiences that she can give back to share with fellow 4-H'ers. 

Trena has sat on many different boards over the years and comes with a vast knowledge in developing procedural directives and constitutions.  

Louise Sroka

North West Leader Delegate
PROJECT Leader, MAIDSTONE GULLY MULIPLE 4-H CLUB | District #35

Louise is a third generation 4-H'er!  She has been a leader in the Maidstone Gully Multiple Club for 15 years, leading a variety of projects.  She was also a member in the same club for eight years!    

She is an active member in her local cooperative community hall which host many events that she helps organize.  She is also on the committee for Judging and grooming with the Lloydminster Exhibition Association

4-H Saskatchewan is a program that Louise holds deep in her heart.  She believes the opportunities that it provides to our youth is unlike any other organization.  She believes that the 4-H program gives the confidence and tools to not only try, but to succeed.  

Alvin Pawlitza

South West Leader Delegate
Abbey-Lancer 4-H Beef Club | District #11

Alvin is serving his second term on Saskatchewan 4-H Board of Directors. He has been project leader with the Abbey-Lancer 4-H Beef Club for 12 years. 

One of his favourite things about being a parent, leader and board member is the interaction with 4-H members. He attended the provincial judging competition in Swift Current one year. Even though Alvin was only there during the awards ceremony, he was very impressed with the turnout and the depth of the older 4-H members!

Alvin looking forward to the new 4-H year and the challenges it brings to move this great youth program forward.

Brooklyn Trask

18-yr-old Member Delegate 
Member, Saskatoon 4-H Beef Club | District #22

Hello 4-H Members & Families, my name is Brooklyn Trask, and I am your newest elected member delegate of the Board of Directors. I am a current member of Saskatoon 4-H Beef Club and have been for the past 13 years. I act as treasurer for the club and am the President of District 22 for the previous three years. 4-H has allowed me to be a part of many programs across the country. A few of my favourites are traveling to Ottawa for Citizenship Congress in 2018, being a summer camp counselor & attending the annual regional show put on by Prairieland Park in Saskatoon.
Outside of 4-H, this spring I am finishing up the agribusiness program through the University of Saskatchewan and will continue working at my family-owned landscape store through the summer (which fun fact – it is right beside the Provincial 4-H office)! Through my job, I have been able to apply the leadership & communication skills I have gained through 4-H and maintain confidence when interacting with customers and other staff members. I am also an avid foster volunteer through New Hope Dog Rescue and have found a new passion for rescuing dogs through the pandemic.
 I have been 4-H Ambassador for the past three years, I love the role, but am ready for a new challenge in the 4-H community. I  get involved in as many activities and opportunities that 4-H organizes. I have always been a highly organized person and tend to carry that into any position with meeting deadlines and attending required meetings. I will leave you all with this cheesy joke... what do you call a cow with no calf? Decaffeinated.

Jason Frey

South East Leader Delegate
General Leader, ALAMEDA 4-H BEEF CLUB | District #41

Along with his wife and children, Jason owns and and operates Freyburn Angus Farms. We have a mixed farming operation, currently running 250 cows and 1000 acres of grain land just north of Oxbow. He is the fourth generation to own and operate their Century Family Farm.
He is also a Journeyman Agriculture Mechanic by trade and worked 20 years at Nelson Motors & Equipment in Oxbow. He resigned in 2018, to put all his time and attention into the ranch and his family. He enjoys watching his children do their many activities from showing cattle, playing baseball, curling and hockey.

He has been involved with the 4-H program since he was six years old. Today, he is in his 10th year of being the General Leader of the Alameda 4-H Beef Club and is presently the president of the District.
 
He has been involved with many other boards, some of which include the Saskatchewan Angus Association, Regina Bull Sale Committee and the Alameda Agricultural Society. He hopes his time on the board will  help to improve member activities and learning. He feels 4-H is a wonderful program with so many opportunities for our youth - both rural and urban - to experience.

brittany stepp

SOUTH EAST LEADER DELEGate
​assistant leader, radville 4-H beef club | DISTRICT #7 

Brittany has been a member of 4-H, taking both the beef and light horse projects. After she moved away from home, Brittany wanted to continue being involved in 4-H, so she became a Cloverbud project leader. Her goal was to keep meetings and functions entertaining for youth and keep them engaged in the 4-H program. 

She has been very involved in judging , hosting multiple clinic and has been on the Weyburn Regional Judging board for almost 15 years, being the chair for the five. She has also served as a chaperone for numerous judging teams. 

Brittany always encourages new members to communicate and get more involved, in order to grow and cultivate long-lasting friendships, much like she did as a member. The motto "Learn To Do By Doing" is very important to her and encourages everyone to continue following this motto. 

Before being elected to the board, Brittany was involved on the District #7 executive. She wants to continue to encourage today's youth to be involved with the 4-H program, no matter what their background is, and considers putting the members' needs first her priority. ​Listening to the members needs when it comes to how their 4‐H experience can get better or changing the negative in their experience to be a positive one keeps her passion strong for this organization.

​The Advisory Council

The Advisory Council is made up of four registered 4-H members, one from each region, the two 18-year-old delegates to the board, the 4-H Saskatchewan YAC member, one board adviser and two staff advisers. They meet in person twice and have conference calls throughout the year. Our 18-year-old delegates (Brooklyn Trask and Dylan Watt), board advisory (Louise Sroka) and staff adviser (Melodi Hawkesford-Lee) biographies are with the staff.

GRACE CHRISTENSEN

SOUTH EAST ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER

I am 16 years old and live on a farm just outside of Lampman. I have been a part of the Alameda 4-H Beef Club for 10 years. As long as I can remember, I have loved being around cattle! I am in the 10th grade at Lampman School and cannot wait to graduate! I hope to attend Lakeland College, where I would enrol in the Animal Science Technology program. I love the opportunities 4-H has provided me and believe all the skills I have learned will help me so much throughout my life. 
 
I would say 4-H has contributed a great amount to who I am today! I have participated in all levels of 4-H curling, both district and regional public speaking, many regional judging competitions, and so much more!  I love meeting new people, as well as hearing their stories about their experience in 4-H and how it has impacted their life. I am very excited to be a member of the Advisory Council. I look forward to continuing my involvement in 4-H and being the voice for 4-H youth in my region!

Shayla preston

North East Advisory Council Member

My favourite part of 4-H is all the opportunities that 4-H offers to youth. I also love how easy it is to make friends through 4-H! 

​Full bio coming soon! 

Kennedy Macneil

South West Advisory Council Member

Kennedy is 17 years old and has been a member of the Missouri-Coteau 4-H Multiple Club for 7 years.  She has taken many projects such as Beef, Light Horse, Tracking, Trapping and Veterinary.

She loves the outdoors, swimming, travelling and curling up with a good book.   She feels 4-H has brought the best out of her, from being a shy girl, to being a person that can talk in front of a room full of people.   4-H has taught her about helping others, given her lifelong skills and how to work hard and believe in herself.  

Kennedy wants to share her experiences with others and let others know what a great organization 4-H Saskatchewan is!

BRETT RUMPEL

4-H Saskatchewan Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Member

​Brett has been a member of the Longlaketon Multiple 4-H Club for over a decade with projects including Beef, cake decorating, crafts, archery, among others. She has participated in all levels of 4-H including club and district executive positions. She is involved with every aspect of 4-H from local, regional and provincial competitions to Event Organization. She has attended Citizenship Seminar and the Global Network Summit travel awards. She has also been awarded a Going Global exchange in Taiwan.

Brett has had varied experience in Agriculture through her family’s cattle and grain operation. She has worked with youth through 4-H camp, camp Monahan and her experience as an Early Childhood Educator at the YWCA daycare.

Brett has experienced the value of 4-H and is interested in becoming more involved with the decision making process of the 4-H council. She will bring an experienced and strong voice to the Board of Directors for the members of 4-H.

Amanda Kaminski

North West Advisory Council Member

Bio coming soon!