Oyen, Alberta, August 18 , 2005 – The Big Country Agriculture Society’s CrossRoads Centre Project is benefiting from the Farm Credit Canada (FCC) AgriSpirit Fund with a donation of $25,000.

Through the FCC AgriSpirit Fund, the CrossRoads Centre Project is another step closer to completing this community facility that will attract people, businesses, recreation, entertainment and educational activities from surrounding communities. The CrossRoads Centre will accommodate an arena, kitchen, meeting rooms, offices and mechanical and washroom facilities.

“We’re proud to give even more back to rural Canada and to the community of Oyen where our customers and employees live and work,” says FCC District Manager Sharon Eistetter. “The enthusiasm of Canadians is evident in the projects that are being created in our rural communities. It’s that spirit and passion that makes Alberta a great place to live.”

"The Big Country Agriculture Society appreciates the support Farm Credit Canada has given to our CrossRoads Centre Project.  This donation has given us a tremendous boost towards the completion of our washroom facilities.   The CrossRoads Center has enhanced the surrounding area, as it provides a facility for a host of agricultural and recreational activities that people had previously been accessing in other areas.  The activities being held in our facility draws people from over 150 mile radius, thus enhancing the economic viability of Oyen and surrounding businesses,” says Linda Bingeman, President of the Big Country Agriculture Society.

From the 489 applications received this past winter, FCC selected 38 projects from across Canada.

In November 2004, FCC announced the AgriSpirit Fund. This Fund awarded $400,000 towards capital projects for rural communities with populations under 100,000. These projects will receive between $5,000 and $25,000 to create or enhance facilities in their community. A significant amount of time and consideration went into each evaluation including how the project would make a difference in the community.

The FCC AgriSpirit Fund will continue for a second year. Details regarding the eligibility criteria and application process will be posted this fall through the FCC website at www.fcc-fac.ca.

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:

Sharon Eistetter
Farm Credit Canada
District Manager
(403) 340-4200

Nadine Hakim
Farm Credit Canada (Bilingual)
Corporate Communications
(306) 780-8572