4H Challenging Pioneers

06/06/2026

A great day for the 3rd annual Sheep to Socks event at O’Brien Farm in St. John’s.
A free event for all, Sheep to Socks includes tours, weaving, spinning and sheep shearing demonstrations.
Market products and BBQ sales in support of SPANL. Open until 4pm.

06/04/2026

Our friends at Heritage Farm - Morry’s have some woolly great news….they’ve got a brand new product to share. 🐑

06/03/2026

Could you be the next youth voice helping to shape the future of agriculture in Canada?

If you're 18-30 years old with a passion for the ag sector, apply to join the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council. 👇👇

Young people across Canada are helping shape the next chapter of agriculture and agri-food. If you have ideas to share about the future of the sector, apply to join the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/department/initiatives/youth/canadian-agricultural-youth-council

06/02/2026

Are you up for a woolly weekend?!
Head over to O'Brien Farm for the 3rd Annual Sheep to Sock: Fibre Festival! 🐑 ➡️ 🧦

This event is free to the public. No need to register. Proceeds from the BBQ and market go to our friends at SPANL (Sheep Producers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador)

06/02/2026

Looks like our Intro to Sheep project has pushed past introductions. 😜🐑

Over the last few weeks at Heritage Farm - Morry’s, we’ve reviewed anatomy, sheep breeds (especially those in NL), and production for milk/meat.
Thanks to farm owner, Matt, members moved on to hands-on demonstrations: administering vaccines and medications; deworming; and tagging.
Take a look! 🍀

06/01/2026

Happy World Milk Day! World Milk Day is an international day established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to recognize the importance of milk as a global food. This year recognizes women farmers in the dairy industry as 2026 is year of the woman farmer.

05/26/2026

Back at home and back in the barn!
Our Newfoundland Pony group had a wonderful evening with the ponies at Dixie H Farm, giving them a good brushing and a little exercise.
It felt great to get the ponies out in the sun! ☀️🐴🍀

05/23/2026

And just like that the Challenging Pioneers International Rural Exchange whirlwind tour of Ireland is over, way too soon!

The last three days kept us busy, down many a winding country road…no matter how narrow. 🫣😂

Day 4 - Gloria Nolan Connemara Performance Ponies, Bennekerry, Carlow; Arboretum visit, Leighlinbridge; Kilkenny Castle tour; Kinnity Castle dinner, County Offaly.
Day 5 - Dublin Zoo Habitat Conservation Classroom Session and tour; Famine Memorial, Dublin
Day 6 - The Donkey Sanctuary, Liscarroll, Mallow, County Cork; Macroom Water Buffalo Farm visit and cheese tasting with O’Tuama tours, Kilnamartyra.

We can’t thank our new friends at Equipeople enough for an amazing week. To our brilliant tour guide++, Donna; our very sound driver, Billy; and our wonderfully attentive tour director, Caroline: we appreciate you all for making this a very memorable experience. You put in the hard work, organizing and planning; we sat back and enjoyed the ride.
“Slán agus Beannacht go gach duine - Farewell and blessings to each of you!”

Huge thank you to all who helped sponsor or support our many fundraisers, and to the following organizations for your wonderful donations:
St. Paul’s Anglican Church
Sheep Producers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
Goulds Lions Club
Bidgoods Lions 50/50
Newfoundland and Labrador Dairy Cooperative (NL Dairy Co-Op)
NL Dairy Farmers
DEL Equipment

Is it too early to start planning the next adventure? 🤪🍀💚

05/19/2026

Irish eyes are certainly smiling on the 4-H Challenging Pioneers International Rural Exchange to Ireland!

We are having a fantastic time with Equipeople exploring and learning about agriculture and Irish culture. From sun up to sun down it has been go, go, go and we are here for all of it.
Day 1 - Welcome to Dublin; Causey Farm, Fordstown
Day 2 - Balmoral Show, Lisburn, Northern Ireland
Day 3 - Irish National Stud & Gardens, Tully, County Kildare; Rock Of Dunamase, Dunamaise, County Laois

Thank you to all who helped sponsor or support our many fundraisers, and to the following organizations for your wonderful donations:
St. Paul’s Anglican Church
Sheep Producers Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
Goulds Lions Club
Bidgoods Lions 50/50 Draw
Newfoundland and Labrador Dairy Cooperative (NL Dairy Co-Op)
NL Dairy Farmers
DEL Equipment

We sincerely appreciate your support for this amazing opportunity. Stay tuned for more to come. 🍀💚

Fair Warning: major photo dump ahead.
(📸 credit: mix of travelling families)