For immediate release: 01 August 2006
Ontario Government Investing In Rural Youth
Support For 4-H Contributes To Future Prosperity
CORBYVILLE - The Ontario government is continuing to help young
people gain new learning experiences in a supportive, community-focused
environment, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky
announced today.
"We recognize the importance of investing in our future, which is
our children. Our partnership with 4-H continues to give our youth the
skills, knowledge and leadership capabilities that will contribute to
Ontario's future prosperity and success, especially in rural communities,"
Dombrowsky said.
This year's grant is the second installment of a three-year, $2.1-million
commitment to 4-H. Under the agreement, the ministry provides $700,000
each year to enable 4-H Ontario to deliver hands-on projects ranging from
drama to energy conservation, and career planning to livestock management
to thousands of 10- to 21-year-olds across the province.
"The long-term support of the Ontario government assists in the
delivery of quality, innovative and sustainable leadership and life skills
programs to 4-H members and volunteers," said Lyndon Stewart, executive
director of 4-H Ontario. "It's a strategic investment in the development
of community social capital that benefits citizens and the communities
in which they live."
The 4-H program continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of today's
youth and volunteers by developing programs that reflect the demographic
mix of farm and non-farm citizens within Ontario's rural communities.
The McGuinty government is on the side of rural families. Other initiatives
in support of rural families include:
- Recognizing the unique needs of rural schools with $230 million for
school repairs, library books and transition programs
- Assisting approximately 4,000 rural youth find meaningful summer employment
close to home.
"For almost a century, 4-H has been giving young people in this
province a chance to gain new skills and learn the values of teamwork
and leadership," said Dombrowsky, who recalled the personal rewards
she has gained from her own 4-H experience growing up in the town of Tweed,
Ontario.
- 30 -
Contacts:
Christopher Flavelle
Minister's Office
416-326-3072
Dave McLeod
Communications Branch
519-826-3198
