AgriSpirit builds rural communities

Ste-Foy, Quebec, October 3, 2005 – The Farm Credit Canada (FCC) AgriSpirit Fund will once again support projects in rural Canada with $400,000 in donations.
 
The AgriSpirit Fund enhances communities by providing funds to support local capital projects. FCC launched it last year and 38 projects across Canada were selected to receive financial contributions. These included the purchase of emergency services equipment and contributions towards building cultural and recreation centres.

“We received nearly 500 applications last year, well beyond our expectations,“ Alain Gagnon, FCC Vice-President, Operations says. “We’re proud to offer the AgriSpirit Fund for a second year and assist with community projects. And our goal remains the same — to enhance rural Canada.”

Community leaders and volunteers from across the country are encouraged to review the new eligibility criteria and apply for funding through the FCC website at www.fcc-fac.ca in the About Us section. Only on-line applications will be accepted and will be available from October 3, 2005 to November 15, 2005. Each project funded will receive a donation ranging between $5,000 and $25,000. Projects receiving donations will be announced in spring 2006.

Marc Gaudreault, who is in charge of recreational activities for the Municipality of Lyster, and a recipient of a $15,000 donation from the 2004-05 FCC AgriSpirit Fund says, “The multifunctional surface will be a place to organize sports and other large-scale events. This infrastructure gives us the opportunity to develop new activities that we are currently unable to hold in our area. The objectives of this project are to create a feeling of belonging in the community, increase the physical activity for people of all ages in our community, increase the participation in certain sports and focus all our energy on an infrastructure that meets the needs of Lyster’s citizens.” 

Operating out of 100 offices located primarily in rural Canada, FCC employees are passionate about the business of agriculture. FCC is self-sustaining and profits are reinvested back into agriculture, developing loans, services and programs to benefit the industry. 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 about FCC's AgriSpirit Fund click here, or contact:

Melanie Lightfoot
Farm Credit Canada (English)
Communication Consultant
306-780-6987

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