New RBC 4-H Rural-Urban Youth Outreach Program Announces 2009 Recipients

4-H is now seeking nominations for the 2010 program

OTTAWA, July 31, 2009 – The Canadian 4-H Council is pleased to announce the
winners of the first annual RBC 4-H Rural-Urban Youth Outreach Program. The
program, which provides a grant for any club or organization planning to
start or expand a 4-H club in their community, was launched in January of
this year in an effort to encourage youth, volunteers and organizations from
all backgrounds and communities across the country to apply and get involved
with 4-H.

This year, 13 applicants from communities across Canada will receive the
grant. Through the grant program, a maximum of $4,000 is available to
individual applications, with an additional $2,000 available at the end of
the year in the form of an Award of Excellence. In total, $40,000 in grant
funding will be awarded in 2009.

Those interested in participating in the 2010 program can also visit this
web site (http://www.4-h-canada.ca/outreach) to apply online.

“We received applications from across Canada for this program, which helps
to grow 4-H in both urban and rural areas,” said Judy Shaw, president of the
Canadian 4-H Council. “We were extremely pleased to see the response to this
new grant program, and we are excited to see the results across the country.
This will be a fantastic program for us to grow 4-H and bridge the gap
between the city and the country.”
     
Existing 4-H clubs, regions and provincial agencies, as well as non 4-H
organizations and communities are eligible to apply for grants under the
program. Projects eligible for funding include: setting up 4-H in schools;
developing urban gardens or agriculture projects; setting up "inner-city"
4-H clubs; twinning rural 4-H members with urban or suburban youth; adding a
4-H component to an existing organization; or creating resource materials to
start or develop a 4-H club. This award also helps clubs maintain the
programs they launched through the grant program.
        
 “We are proud to be partnering with 4-H and helping to deliver this
innovative program,” added Brian Little, national manager, Agriculture/Agri
Business, RBC. “We believe this program is a great way for rural and urban
youth to contribute to and learn more about the communities in which they
live.  As a former member of the 4-H club, I can also say that the lessons
learned and the friendships made through the club have a positive and
life-long impact.”

As one of Canada’s premier youth leadership organizations, 4-H has a proven
track record of helping to develop well-rounded young Canadians for the past
95 years. 4-H teaches life skills that help prepare youth for the future. It
also provides them with new experiences, knowledge, and life-long
friendships with other 4-H members from across the country. More information
about 4-H in Canada can be found at www.4-h-canada.ca.


The following applicants received funding from the RBC 4-H Rural-Urban Youth
Outreach Program:

Applicant Project- Title- Project Summary

Cape Breton Regional 4-H- Growing Opportunities & Leadership Skills- Develop
new clubs in Rural, Urban and Aboriginal Communities

Quebec 4-H- Growing Gardens, Growing Communities- Develop community gardens
in schools & Community Centres

Eagle Moon Health Office- Regina Urban Aboriginal 4-H Club- Develop
inner-city Aboriginal 4-H Club

Turnor Lake 4-H Club- Fur, Farming, Fishing & Canine- Re-instate inactive
program in First Nation & Metis Community

Sudbury  4-H Club- The Geocaching Club- Create Urban Geocaching (on-line GPS
orienteering) Club in Sudbury

Frontenac 4-H Association- Country Comes to The City in Kingston- New
initiative creating rural-urban connection with Boys and Girls Club

Alberta 4-H- Develop School based 4-H Programs & Clubs- Develop & distribute
resource / marketing materials in schools

Kitchener Market 4-H Club- Kitchener Market 4-H Club Promotion- Develop
existing club to expand into urban sector (Kitchener Market)

Craik Sustainable Living Project- Craik 4-H Sustainable Club- Develop new
program / initiative - Gardening & Community Greenhouse

Langley 4-H Dairy & Craft Club- Archery Group Self Determined- Develop new
club/ initative - archery

Island Breeze 4-H- Starting a New 4-H Club- Start up for remote Island
community

AJRQ- New Club Development- Develop outreach & promotional materials for
schools

St.John’s 4-H- Youth City- Developing an inner-city 4-H club with school &
youth club