From cattle to canines, 4-H bursary opens doors for two Saskatchewan youth

Saskatoon, Sask. (Rural Roots Canada) – After 15 years in 4-H, Kierra Hawreluik is approaching the end of her time as a member, with a chance to take what she has learned well beyond her Saskatchewan farm roots.

For Amy Fradette, a decade in the program is helping open a door into an entirely different industry and potentially her future career.

The two Saskatchewan 4-H members have been selected as the 2026 recipients of the Art and Shirley Froehlich Travel and Youth Development Bursary, with each receiving $2,000 to attend an industry event in the United States.

For Hawreluik, the destination is Fort Worth, Texas, where she plans to get a closer look at the American cattle industry.

She grew up on a mixed grain and cattle farm outside Sheho, Sask., and recently graduated from Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alta., with a diploma in animal science. She’s now continuing her studies in agribusiness, majoring in marketing.

Hawreluik said the trip gives her an opportunity to compare an industry she has known most of her life with the way cattle production operates south of the border.

“Obviously it’s not super different, but there are some things that are different from Canada to the US, and I’m just excited to see the differences and how we can bring things from the US into Canada, or how we can bring things that we have in Canada to the US and share our experiences and opportunities,” she said.

The opportunity comes during Hawreluik’s final year as a 4-H member after roughly 15 years in the program.

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Along the way, she said 4-H has allowed her to develop her public speaking skills, attend summer camps, make friends and spend two years on the 4-H Saskatchewan board of directors.

“It’s helped me to become the person I am today and given me so many opportunities like this one,” she said.

Fradette’s bursary will take her in another direction.

Originally from a cattle ranch near Lake Alma, Sask., she now lives in Medicine Hat, Alta., where she is taking general studies and hopes to earn a diploma in digital marketing.

Fradette will travel to Schaumburg, Ill., for the four-day CANIS Conference, which focuses on canine advocacy, networking, innovation and science.

She previously studied canine studies and hopes to eventually become a specialized dog trainer and start her own business.

“There aren’t a lot of regulations, and it’s a pretty new field. So networking is very important,” Fradette said. “So I’m hoping this conference will kind of get my foot in the door of the dog world.”

Fradette has spent about 10 years in 4-H, beginning with beef and crafts projects before later adding sheep. She has also participated in public speaking, curling, judging, summer camps and the organization’s ambassador program.

She credits those experiences with pushing her beyond what was comfortable.

“I’ve done a lot with 4-H, and it’s really helped me grow as a person. I’ve learned communication skills. I mean, it really helped me step out of my comfort zone,” Fradette said. “So, 4-H has done a lot for me over the years.”

Both recipients said the bursary is making travel and professional development possible that they likely wouldn’t otherwise pursue.

“This conference isn’t something I’d be doing otherwise, and it’s because of the travel bursary I am doing it, and I feel like it’ll be a really big step into my future career,” Fradette said. “It’ll really help me along the way. I see this as a really big opportunity.”

Hawreluik said receiving the bursary was especially meaningful after putting the work into both the application and her education.

“It’s really special, and it’s really heartwarming that we got chosen for this scholarship,” she said.

The Art and Shirley Froehlich Travel and Youth Development Bursary provides two $2,000 awards to senior 4-H Saskatchewan members to travel outside Canada for conferences and learning opportunities.

It was established by former 4-H members Art and Shirley Froehlich to give young people opportunities to travel, broaden their experiences and pursue interests connected to their education and future careers.

For Hawreluik, reaching the end of her years as a 4-H member has also given her some perspective on what those opportunities can mean.

“Take the opportunities while you can,” she said. “It’s so important to take those opportunities.”

Fradette offered similar advice to other 4-H members who may be considering applying.

“There are so many through 4-H. They’re all there; you just have to apply,” she said. “So yeah, just kind of shoot your shot, try and get in because they’re really good programs.”

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