4-H Ontario announces new 2025 4-H Ambassadors
GUELPH – 4-H Ontario is proud to announce the selection of four ambassadors who will represent and champion the 4-H program across the province in 2025. The following 4-H youth were selected to represent 4-H Ontario in this prestigious role: Josh Brander (Wellington 4-H Association), Paige Grant (Grey 4-H Association), Claire McCorkindale (Perth 4-H Association) and Sidney Sicard (Grey 4-H Association). The 2025 ambassadors commenced their term on March 22, 2025, at the 4-H Ontario Ambassador Luncheon in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
“I am thrilled to announce this year’s 4-H Ontario Ambassadors. This group of exceptional youth are truly a testament to the 4-H program and the leaders it fosters. I’m excited to see this year’s team in action and for them to grow their leadership, communication and facilitation skills as they travel across the province to represent 4-H Ontario at various events,” says Andy H, Manager of Youth Experience at 4-H Ontario.
For 20 years, the 4-H Ontario Ambassador program has provided youth with specialized training in leadership, citizenship, communications and public relations. 4-H Ontario Ambassadors will apply these advanced skills to recruit new 4-H participants and share the 4-H story. The 2025 Ambassadors will attend 4-H Ontario events across the province and represent 4-H at community events to promote and advocate for the 4-H program.
The 4-H Ontario Ambassador program is generously sponsored by GROWMARK, Inc. Since the program’s inception in 2005, GROWMARK and the Ontario FS Co-operative System have provided Ambassadors with this incredible experience and empowered Ambassadors to make meaningful connections in their communities and beyond.
Read on below to learn more about each of the new 2025 4-H Ontario ambassadors that will make a tremendous impact on the 4-H program. To schedule a 4-H Ontario Ambassador for your next event, visit our website to complete the request form.
Josh Brander, Wellington 4-H Association
Josh Brander has participated in 4-H for the past 12 years in the Wellington 4-H Association, completing 88 4-H projects during his tenure. Josh has also been active in 4-H at both the provincial and national level, attending events such as Youth Adventure Camp multiple times, Career Mania, National Members forum, Grow Canada Conference, Leap into Leadership conference, Dairy Sen$e and the International Rural Exchange to Ireland.
When asked why he wants to be a 4-H Ontario Ambassador, Josh says “I want to become an ambassador for 4-H so that I can promote 4-H to the youth that might not have otherwise heard about it. I believe everyone should have the chance to participate in 4-H, and I think anyone who joins benefits from their experiences. I want to share my story and spread the values and core fundamentals of why 4-H is so successful, and why thousands of people over the span of 110 years have been giving it nothing but praise and credit for its commitment to community and youth leadership.”
Paige Grant, Grey 4-H Association
Paige Grant has been a 4-H participant for 10 years during which time she has completed 36 projects and participated in various provincial opportunities including Youth Adventure Camp, Provincial 4-H Leadership Camp and a 4-H Interprovincial exchange to British Columbia. Outside of 4-H, Paige is active in her community where she is a youth mentor for ‘I Challenge Diabetes’ and has also acted as a past ambassador for the Rocklyn Fall Fair.
When asked what makes her proud to be a 4-H participant, Paige says “4-H is more than just the awards, competitions, and if you’re lucky prize money. To me, 4-H is all the lessons that we learn along the way. At the end of the day it doesn’t matter how you did in that show ring, or at that meeting. What really matters is what we take away from the experiences we face and how we adapt to the challenges that come our way. It can be said that 4-H really does prepare you for the highs and lows of life, it helps shape us to be the better versions of ourselves that we know we can be.”
Claire McCorkindale, Perth 4-H Association
Over the course of Claire McCorkindale’s eight-year tenure with 4-H, she has completed 19 4-H projects in the Perth 4-H Association. She is an active member of her community serving as a past Mitchell Fair Ambassador and volunteering with the Foal Watch program through OVC and the University of Guelph Take a Paws program.
When asked why she wants to be a 4-H Ontario Ambassador, Claire says “I want to become a 4-H Ontario Ambassador because I love to meet new people and spread knowledge. Through a previous fair ambassador program I learned that I am comfortable talking in front of crowds and to new people. Being in an environment of like-minded, farming individuals is refreshing and teaching non-rural people about farming is something I am passionate about. I think 4-H is an amazing organization which bridges this gap and I am honoured to become a 4-H Ontario Ambassador!”
Sidney Sicard, Grey 4-H Association
Sidney has been a 4-H Ontario participant for 7 years and has completed 26 projects. She is a 4-H Ontario Youth Leader and has also participated in several provincial opportunities including the provincial judging competition, the Impact Conference and most recently, Dairy Sen$e. She has also won various awards, including Grey 4-H Outstanding 4-H Agricultural Member, presented by the Ontario Plowmen’s Association and the CUPE Union Award which recognizes her consistent willingness to help others.
When asked what makes her proud to be a 4-H participant, Sidney says “Being a 4-H participant has connected me to a strong and supportive community that shares my passion for learning, positivity, and agriculture. In Grey County, where agriculture is deeply integrated into our lives, 4-H programs play a significant role in fostering this connection. [4-H] provides hands-on experiences in areas like environmental science, agriscience, and animal care, equipping young members like me with life skills, problem-solving abilities, and a deeper understanding of agricultural practices.”
