Brook Hendriks reflects on winning provincial 4-H volunteerism award
BY SCOTT STEPHENSON
When Lucknow’s Brook Hendriks found out she was being named a recipient of the 4-H Ontario Outstanding New Volunteer Award, she was more than a little surprised - in the best possible way.
What wasn’t surprising was where Hendriks was when she heard the good news: the Seaforth Fall Fair. It was a moment of celebration that unfolded in a September setting perfectly in sync with her agricultural roots and volunteer spirit. Recently, The Citizen arranged for a rendezvous with Hendriks at its Blyth headquarters to hear a little bit about the whole experience.
“It was a little bit of a shock!” Hendriks confessed to The Citizen. “And I just want to thank my nominators, and all the people who have helped me through my 4-H and volunteer years!” While her win may have been a shock at the time, it really was a moment years in the making. Her passion for the art of agriculture started on her family’s beef operation just outside Lucknow, where Hendriks grew up finely in tune with the full lifecycle of her family’s livestock. “We’re with the cows pretty well from start to almost finish,” she explained. “We raise them from when they’re babies and then we sell them off as market animals. So it’s really cool to see that process, from a baby calf all the way to market weight.”
Hendriks’ first vivid 4-H memory dates back to when she was about 10, attending a sheep show in the driving rain. Despite the inclement weather, the event carried on - and so did she. “It was pouring down rain, and everybody’s just soaked, but the show has to keep on going - no matter what!” she recalled fondly. The lessons she learned on that soggy, spirited day would set the tireless tone for a life dedicated to community betterment.
As a self-identifying farmer’s daughter, Hendriks grew up with agriculture and community service woven into her everyday life. “My parents were both in 4-H. My grandparents were leaders as well, so it’s definitely something that’s carried on throughout the generations,” she explained. Today, she proudly carries that legacy forward through her active volunteer work with the Huron 4-H Association, championing the next crop of young agriculturalists.
For Hendriks, volunteering is more than just a way to give back - it’s a vital component in the cultivation of any strong community. “Volunteering is very important because it helps promote lots of things,” she pointed out. “In our case, with 4-H, it helps promote agriculture. So we’re getting more education out to kids and having more involvement within the community as well.”
That spirit was on full display again this year at the Seaforth Fair, where Hendriks and fellow members helped raise funds in a manner befitting a 4-H Club. “A highlight from this year would definitely be our show and sale at the Seaforth Fair,” she told The Citizen. “We have a pig sale every year and we decide to give a portion back to the community. So this year we raised $600 that we donated to the Ronald McDonald House. That would definitely be the biggest one for us. And then just seeing the kids coming out and supporting 4-H as well.”
Her award, which will be officially presented at the Huron County 4-H Association’s Annual General Meeting this February, is a celebration of her leadership journey thus far. While Hendriks isn’t in it for the accolades, she’s not going to turn her nose up at them. “You go through 4-H for so many years and then in a leadership role as well. So I’ve put the time in for that, and now I’ve put the time in for this, and… it’s honestly great to just see that my work has been noticed!” she admitted happily.
Her favourite moments in 4-H are those high-energy competition days that bring everyone in the club together. “I think everybody’s favourite part is Show Day! I just like experiencing it,” she admitted. “From getting to know all of your other members with you, but then also, when you’re at regional fairs or at the Royal Winter Fair, you get to know lots of other people and really build a network of a community around you.”
Beyond the show ring, her contributions to the broader rural community are as impressive as they are inspiring. She currently serves as co-chair of the volunteer committee for the 2026 Bruce County International Plowing Match. “That’s going to be taking up a bit of my time from now until September,” she guessed. “And then I’m a member of the Huron Pioneer Threshers and Hobby Association. So our summer’s pretty packed with events every weekend.”
She encourages other young people to try volunteering, even if they’re not sure where to begin. “Anybody that wants to get into volunteering is welcome - we’re always looking for more volunteers,” she said. “So you can check out our Huron County 4-H website! And on Facebook, you’ll always see lots of community organizations asking for volunteers. And it only takes one time to get involved.”
With her years as a youth member now behind her, Hendriks has some thoughts for others stepping into leadership. “One piece of advice from me would be, like... don’t take people’s criticism to heart. Take it as a learning opportunity to grow,” she advises.
Her message to any young people unsure about joining 4-H is a simple one: just do it! “Everyone’s welcome in 4-H - you can be involved from nine to 21. So if anybody ever feels the need to come out, there’s lots of different clubs - from livestock to life skills - so whatever you might like, you might be able to enjoy.”
For those who feel worried that the next generation won’t step up to fill vacant volunteer positions, Hendriks offers a gentle reminder to look again. “Take a look around - because there’s just as many young people volunteering as there is in the older generation,” she noted. “A lot of people still care. So if they want to keep what they grew up ongoing, they lend a helping hand out.”
At the heart of it all, Hendriks believes that it’s people, not just produce, that make a community flourish. “Huron County’s most important crop is the people. The kids. It’s what keeps our community growing. So the more we can get people involved, the more we’ll have it for years to come.”