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FFA and 4-H Receive More Than $310,000 in Funding

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- TwoPennsylvania agricultural youth organizations may enhance their programs thanks to a more than $310,000 investment awarded today by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The FFA and 4-H received the funds from Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff in a ceremony at Penn State's Ag Progress Days, the state's largest outdoor agricultural event.

"Our youth are the future leaders ofPennsylvania's agricultural industry," said Wolff. "Programs like the FFA and 4-H help develop leadership skills and encourage our youth to explore the many career opportunities available to them in agriculture. By supporting these programs, we can help ensure agriculture remains the number one industry inPennsylvania as we transition to the next generation of rural leaders."

State FFA officers accepted $71,000 in fair funds, which will be divided among 143 chapters that are home to more than 8,000 students. State 4-H officers received $242,000 to provide local program support to more than 105,000 members inPennsylvania.

Wolff chairs the Fair Advisory Board, which approves the funds yearly from the larger $3.9 million Pennsylvania Fair Fund. The fund helps the state's 117 county and community fairs with annual operating costs and offers financial support to youth organizations with an agricultural mission.

For more information aboutPennsylvania's fairs and other agritourism programs, visit http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us and click on "Consumers."

CONTACT: Nicole L. C. Bucher of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, +1-717-787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

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