Minto, Manitoba , September 1, 2005 – The Minto Town and Country Centre is benefiting from the Farm Credit Canada (FCC) AgriSpirit Fund with a donation of $5,000.

With the assistance of FCC through the AgriSpirit Fund, the Minto Town and Country Centre was able to complete roof repairs. As a result of moisture conditions, the roof required replacement with a seamless roof system, additional insulation and vapour barrier before further structural damage resulted. The Minto Town and Country Centre is used for a wide variety of functions including; weddings, funerals, fall suppers, anniversary and birthday celebrations, dance lessons, nursery school functions, aerobics, meetings and conferences.

“We’re proud to give even more back to rural Canada and to the community of Minto where our customers and employees live and work,” says FCC District Manager Tom Harland. “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 Manitoba a great place to live.”

“FCC’s contribution made it possible for our community group to once again use and enjoy our Minto Town and Country Centre for the purposes it was built for,” says Vicki Neufeld, Member of the Board of Directors for the Minto Town and Country Centre.

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 to $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:

Tom Harland
Farm Credit Canada
District Manager
(204) 726-7674

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