Farm Credit joins Kentucky 4-H Camp Improvement Project with $77,500 contribution
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – Farm Credit Mid-America, an agricultural lending cooperative serving farmers, rural residents and agribusinesses throughout Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, contributed a total of $77,500 to the Kentucky 4-H Foundation’s effort to improve 4-H campgrounds across the state.
The funds will go toward the construction of a cabin/storm shelter for camp participants at J.M. Feltner Memorial 4-H Camp, located in London, KY. A groundbreaking ceremony for the new building was held on October 8th and attended by more than 50 people representing the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Farm Credit and other donors.
“Feltner 4-H Camp is one of the camps with no storm shelter protection of any kind,” said Keith L. Rogers, executive director of the Kentucky 4-H Foundation. “In addition to serving as the storm shelter, the facility will provide 2,400 square feet of program space. In 2012, the camp’s craft building was demolished, leaving the camp with a loss of much needed indoor space. The new project can double as shelter and replacing this needed programming space.”
The camp saw a total of 2,265 participants during the 9 week summer 4-H camping program in 2013, a 15% increase in the number of campers over last year, according to Rogers. “I would like to think some of that increase was because of the excitement of the new cabin/storm shelter project,” he said.
The improvements at Feltner 4-H Camp are part of the second phase of Kentucky 4-H Foundation’s Camp Improvement Project. The goal of the project is to make major renovations at each of Kentucky’s four 4-H camps, which were built in the 1950s and 1960s. The first phase of the project was completed in the spring of 2011 with a total investment of $2.7 million in improvements and construction.
“We view the overall 4-H Camp Improvement Project as long term, taking up to ten years to complete with a cost totaling close to $20 million. Replacing or upgrading these facilities will improve the 4-H camp experience for thousands while allowing us to increase the number of kids that can enjoy and benefit from 4-H camp,” Rogers said.
Farm Credit’s contribution included a $52,500 donation, as well as $25,000 in matching funds to support the 4-H Foundation’s other fundraising efforts.
“This project fits perfectly into Farm Credit’s community giving program,” said Joel Oney, regional vice president for Farm Credit in eastern Kentucky. “We truly believe in investing in the future leaders in agriculture and rural America. The youth who use this campground develop valuable leadership and teamwork skills that will serve them in the future. We’re thrilled to be able to help them along in their development.”
ABOUT FARM CREDIT MID-AMERICA:
Farm Credit Mid-America is a $19.9 billion financial services cooperative serving more than 97,000 farmers, agribusinesses and rural residents in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. The association provides loans for all farm and rural living purposes including real estate, operating, equipment, housing and related services such as crop insurance, and vehicle, equipment and building leases. For more information about Farm Credit, call 1-800-444-FARM or visit them on the web at www.e-farmcredit.com.
