Local communities help raise money for 4-H

SOUTH PARIS - The Maine 4-H Foundation, in partnership with Paris Farmers Union and 55 businesses statewide, raised $7,000 for youths in every Maine county.

For the months of September and October, 4-H sold paper clovers for $1 each and proceeds support county-based 4-H programs and statewide programs, including Citizen Washington Focus held at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, MD.

An estimated 6,600 people contributed to supporting Maine 4-H. The 4-H Foundation is grateful to all who participated, and encourages businesses that would like to participate next year to call Angela Martin at the 4-H Foundation at 581-3739 or e-mail angela.martin@maine.edu.

Participating local businesses have included Oxford County Fair, Oxford and Paris Farmers Union, South Paris.

"Initiating a statewide effort to raise money for 4-H programs means more programs that impact youth," says Audrey Chapman, executive director Pine Tree State 4-H Foundation. "That's what the 4-H Foundation's about providing educational opportunities to kids - Maine's most precious resource."

Adds Peter Chapman, president of the Paris Farmers Union, “Paris Farmers Union has its roots in agriculture, as does the 4-H Program. Our future depends on the youth of our country and 4-H is all about developing youth with good character. We are pleased to be able to help 4-H in their efforts to support Maine youth.”

Annually 25,000 youth participate in Maine 4-H which is the youth development program of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. To learn more, visit www.extension.umaine.edu.