4-H Canada recently announced former federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lyle Vanclief, will receive 4-H Canada’s Distinguished Alumni Award at the annual 4-H Canada Leadership Awards, held virtually on Feb. 22.
The organization said that since the age of 12, Vanclief has embodied 4-H’s values, dedicating himself to hands-on learning as a 4-H member, and then 4-H club leader, as well as in his service to various organizations in his community of Prince Edward County, Ont.
His leadership in the agriculture sector, in crop sciences and as a farmer, led him to a career as an elected official, serving as a Member of Parliament for Prince Edward-Hastings from 1988 to 2004. During this time, Vanclief held the role of minister of agriculture from 1997 to 2003.
Read Also
Brendan Byrne appointed chair of Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission
Brendan Byrne has been appointed the new Chair of the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission, effective July 29, 2025. The…
In their commitment to upholding 4-H youth leadership, Vanclief and his wife, Sharon, established the Canadian 4-H Foundation’s Lyle and Sharon Vanclief Leadership Endowment Fund, which supports the annual attendance of 10 4-H youth members to the U.S. National 4-H Conference in Washington, D.C.
As part of his distinguished career, Vanclief has also been named a Distinguished Agrologist by the Ontario Institute of Agrologists, a Fellow of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, and was inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2010.
Supported by Glacier FarmMedia, the Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes the outstanding leadership and contributions of one of 4-H’s 350,000 alumni, to 4-H, their communities, their industry, and the world. The award will be presented at 4-H Canada’s virtual Leadership Awards, the organization’s signature event, which aims to showcase the achievements of leadership at every level of 4-H in Canada, while fundraising for the Canadian 4-H Foundation.
“The long-term impact of Vanclief’s work cannot be understated,” says 4-H Canada chief executive officer Shannon Benner. “He has empowered and mentored a generation of young leaders while promoting 4-H Canada’s Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security pillar to the organization and the world.”
“I am delighted to celebrate Vanclief’ s many accomplishments, which have made a profound difference in our communities,” says Bob Willcox, president, Glacier Farm Media.
