Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has announced the continuation and expansion of the FCC 4-H 4-Ever program in partnership with the Canadian 4-H Council, with an annual funding commitment of $250,000 for each of the next four years. The FCC 4-H 4-Ever program was conceived in 2006 to help raise awareness of 4-H and grow membership across Canada.

As part of the newly expanded partnership, the Canadian 4-H Council and FCC have developed a new program to provide club-level funding and support. Through a simple application process, rural 4-H clubs across Canada will be able to apply for funding through the Canadian 4-H Council. More information about the program can be found at http://www.4-h-canada.ca/forever.

“This donation from FCC and their commitment to 4-H will go a long way in strengthening the 4-H program across Canada, particularly at the club level,” said Judy Shaw, president of the Canadian 4-H Council. “This investment recognizes the value of 4-H and will provide welcomed support for 4-H youth in this country.”

In addition to funding support at the club level, FCC’s investment with the Canadian 4-H Council will also be directed towards increasing awareness of 4-H in Canada, as well as membership and volunteer recruitment. This will build on the success of the previous partnership between 4-H and FCC.

“At FCC, we recognize that the future of agriculture depends on the enthusiasm and commitment of a new generation,” says Lyndon Carlson, FCC senior vice-president, marketing. “The FCC 4-H 4-Ever program is an excellent way to encourage sustain-ability of the 4-H program and provide support to assist in creating new initiatives and growth of the program across Canada at the club level and beyond.”

FCC has supported 4-H at the national level for 20 years, including their involvement with the recent Make Your Escape and Join 4-H Again campaigns. The new campaign marks a continued emphasis on the club level of 4-H and the growth of the 4-H program in Canada.

One of the country’s longest-running and most respected youth organizations, 4-H offers fun, excitement and learning for youth in communities large and small across Canada. More than 8,500 trained volunteer leaders help 26,000-plus 4-H members to develop self-confidence and learn a wide variety of skills through hands-on project work.