Regina, Saskatchewan, July 12, 2005 — A proposal for a free car seat and booster seat safety clinic has earned a Quebec teenager extra money from Farm Credit Canada (FCC) to turn the project into reality.

Caitlin MacDougall from Ormstown, QC, entered the FCC 4-H National Scholarship competition with a proposal to combine the resources of provincial police, local media and her neighbours in an effort to keep kids safe.

As part of FCC’s national $15,000 4-H scholarship program, MacDougall won the provincial competition, which awarded her $1,500 to pursue post-secondary education. She then beat out other provincial winners to receive an additional $2,000 honourarium plus a budget of up to $3,000 for the project.

“I’m really happy for her,” said her 4-H leader, Janice Barr. “She’s a winner that will use the funds in a good way, a positive way.  She’s hard working and has a lot of contact with younger members of our community. She’s a really conscientious person, and the type of kid who won’t just sit there and wait for things to happen. She goes out there and does something, which is the exception I think.”

MacDougall’s research shows that motor vehicle accidents are the most likely cause of death and serious injury to children and that only 28 per cent of children aged four to nine are using booster seats. In her community, approximately 38 per cent of the population are under the age of 11.

MacDougall plans to develop an advertising campaign that will both increase awareness of proper use of car seats and booster seats and draw people to the clinic. The clinic is tentatively planned for September.

The FCC 4-H National Scholarship program encourages students to submit original plans to address issues in their community such as farm safety, community improvement or hunger. Other proposals that won provincial scholarships included developing a community garden to fight hunger in St-Isidore, New Brunswick and designing tailor-made first aid kits in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

”We received many outstanding project plans from across the country,” said George Klosler, Past President of the Canadian 4-H Council and FCC Account Manager in Woodstock, Ontario. “These students are Canada’s future leaders. That’s why we partner with 4-H on this scholarship. It provides us the opportunity to create an environment for rural youth to acquire the knowledge they need to succeed in fields such as agriculture and business.” 

All entries were judged based on their benefit to their community, creativity, budget and plan completeness. Members of 4-H and l’Association des jeunes ruraux du Québec were eligible to enter.

An additional $3,000 was provided to three randomly selected 4-H clubs who encouraged their members to apply. This year’s winning 4-H clubs were:  The Countryside Lindsay 4-H Club – Ontario; The Stead Settlers 4-H Club – Manitoba and The Zodiac / Riverhead 4-H Club – Newfoundland and Labrador.

“We’re committed to the future of agriculture and rural Canada,” explained Klosler.  “We believe in giving back to the communities where our employees and customers live and work.”

Operating out of 100 offices located primarily in rural Canada, FCC employees are passionate about the business of agriculture. FCC's healthy portfolio of more than $11 billion and 12 consecutive years of portfolio growth are a reflection of our customers' success.

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For more information, please contact:

Chris Clemett
Farm Credit Canada (English)
Communication Consultant
306-780-7351

Nadine Hakim
Farm Credit Canada (Bilingual)
Communication Consultant
306-780-8572