The legendary “Mr. 4-H” and the impact his volunteer work has had throughout Alberta.

If you’ve ever participated in a 4-H program in Alberta over the last 56 years, you’ve probably bumped into Dwayne Grover. He’s spent most of his life involved in the organization as a member, a leader, a director, a co-founder and a chairman — Dwayne has really done it all. 

His adventure began at age seven when Dwayne became a member of the 4-H club near his hometown of Stettler. As a kid, he got the opportunity to live by the organization's motto, “Learn to do by doing.” Dwayne gained many life skills in his time as a member and had fun doing it all with his friends, both human and animal. 

After years of using his head, heart and hands to learn and develop important skills throughout his youth, Dwayne took on a new challenge and became a leader with the organization when he was 21. Although he was excited, his first task wasn’t an easy one. Dwayne started a new group in Byemoor — the Rainbow Riders 4-H Horse Club, which only had a dozen members signed up to start. “When we were done, we had about 65 kids involved. That kept us all really busy,” says Dwayne. 

While volunteering as a leader, Dwayne took on numerous executive positions on the Stettler District 4-H Council. These positions allowed him to help expand the organization and its opportunities for youth, like helping to build both the 4-H Rodeo project and the Provincial Horse Classic from the ground up.

Although Dwayne took on a lot of the leadership roles in the organization, his favourite part was always seeing how the kids grew in different ways because of what the 4-H values taught them. “You see the kids grow and expand their abilities,” he says, “but it's also the communication and self-awareness type of stuff that they learn without knowing that they're learning it.”

As he got older and became a father, Dwayne was ecstatic when his children became interested in the 4-H programs. “I was able to see them grow and learn along with all the other kids,” he says. When they were old enough, Dwayne’s children followed in his footsteps, becoming camp counsellors and leaders themselves in the organization. 

Dwayne has noticed in the last 50 years that enjoying 4-H isn’t inherited only by his children but by many families across Alberta. “You're seeing kids and their kids, second and third generations that I’m working with. The fact they’re still involved is a pretty good deal, too,” he says. “That’s gratifying.” 

Because of his long-standing history with 4-H throughout the province, Dwayne was eventually given the nickname “Mr. 4-H.” Although he laughs at the nickname today, he recognizes his impact on the organization over the years, saying, “If there was going to be the 4-H acronym on somewhere, I was probably somewhere in the weeds there.”

Dwayne’s nickname isn’t the only thing he has to be proud of today when reflecting on his many years of service to the 4-H organization. He was also recently awarded Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for his volunteer efforts, an award given to individuals who dedicate their lives to public service and enhancing communities in Alberta. 

While Dwayne is grateful for receiving the medal, he wishes to share it with those he’s bonded with over the last 50 years. “I was accepting it on behalf of hundreds of people I worked with and volunteered with over the years because one person volunteering doesn't really accomplish a lot,” says Dwayne, always humble. “It isn’t like I climbed Mount Everest, you know?”

He hopes that this medal is used for reflection, saying, “When people look back upon their time and involvement, I hope that it's some good memories, cherished friendships and that some of the skills that they learned there that they've been able to carry forth and use in their families and communities throughout Alberta.”

Dwayne remains an active volunteer with the organization today and hopes his story lives on for future generations of 4-H members to keep the organization alive in the province.

Want to get involved with 4-H Alberta? Visit their website to learn more.