Government Of Canada Provides $2.4 Million For National 4-H Programs (March 16, 2005)

Ottawa, March 16, 2005 – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is providing $2.4 million to help support and expand the Canadian 4-H Council’s national 4-H programs.


Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Andy Mitchell announced the funding today under the renewal component of the Agricultural Policy Framework.


“The Government of Canada is committed to Canada’s rural youth, and has a long history of working together with the Canadian 4-H Council to help our rural and agricultural communities grow and prosper,” said Minister Mitchell. “Through this funding, the Government of Canada is helping ensure the valuable programs, services and experiences offered by 4-H across the country can continue, to the benefit of our young people and the agriculture industry as a whole.”


The Canadian 4-H Council will receive $600,000 in each fiscal year from 2004 to 2008 to support its main national conferences: the National 4-H Conference, the National 4-H Volunteer Leaders’ Conference, the National 4-H Citizenship Seminar, and the National 4-H Careers Conference.


The funding will also allow for the expansion of a national online provincial resource sharing network, as well as help provincial 4-H organizations with the development of 4-H products and activities focusing on leadership and skills development. The Renewal Opportunities Program (ROP) will also be expanded, providing up to $70,000 to provincial 4-H agencies to develop new programs that focus on youth and rural development. The funding will also support the Council’s development of a new Strategic Plan to ensure long term relevancy of the 4-H program in Canada.


“This funding announcement is tremendously positive news for 4-H in Canada,” said George Klosler, president of Canadian 4-H Council. “The Canadian 4-H Council is grateful for this opportunity to continue to improve its national programs and services aimed at developing tomorrow’s agricultural leaders.”


The Agricultural Policy Framework is composed of five elements: food safety and food quality, environment, science and innovation, renewal, and business risk management. The framework is designed to maximize opportunities for the Canadian agriculture industry to safeguard and enhance the food safety and quality system in Canada through science and environmentally sound agricultural practices.


The Canadian 4-H Council is a not-for-profit agency that co-ordinates all national 4-H activities in Canada. Founded in 1933, the Council offers conferences, exchanges, scholarships and international travel opportunities to thousands of 4-H Members and Leaders across the country. For more information visit www.4-h-canada.ca.



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Chris Forrest
Communications Manager
Canadian 4-H Council
(613) 234-4448
cforrest@4-h-canada.ca


Elizabeth Whiting
Press Secretary
Minister Mitchell’s Office
(613) 759-1059


Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa
(866) 345-7972
media@agr.gc.ca



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