AgriSpirit Fund to bolster rural community projects

Regina, Saskatchewan, August 16, 2006 – Rural community groups may apply for capital project funding from Farm Credit Canada’s (FCC) $500,000 AgriSpirit Fund starting September 1.

Since 2004, 78 projects have received between $5,000 and $25,000 in funding from FCC’s AgriSpirit Fund for community improvements such as emergency services equipment, playgrounds, food banks, recreation centres and care homes. After the 2007 projects are chosen, FCC will have contributed a total of $1.3 million to communities through the AgriSpirit Fund.

Community leaders and volunteers from across the country are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and apply for funding online at www.AgriSpirit.ca. Applications will be accepted between September 1 and October 12, 2006. FCC will announce the selected projects in early 2007.

FCC is Canada’s largest provider of business and financial solutions to farms and agribusiness. Operating out of 100 offices located primarily in rural Canada, FCC employees are passionate about the business of agriculture. A healthy portfolio of $12 billion and 13 consecutive years of portfolio growth are a reflection of our customers' success.

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For more information, please contact:

Leanna Jenkins (English)
Corporate Communication
Farm Credit Canada
(306) 780-6987

Mireille Bilodeau VongPhit (Bilingual)
Corporate Communication
Farm Credit Canada
(306) 780-8630