4-H Gets Funding from CN Rail for New Leadership & Safety Programs

4-H Canada’s Shannon Benner with two 4-H ambassadors at Agribition on Wednesday.

4-H Canada announced new leadership and safety programs at Agribition in Regina on Wednesday following a $600,000 financial commitment from CN Rail.

4-H Canada's Shannon Benner with two 4-H ambassadors at Agribition on Wednesday.

4-H Canada’s Shannon Benner with two 4-H ambassadors at Agribition on Wednesday.

4-H Canada CEO Shannon Benner explained the new annual Leadership Excellence Awards of Distinction (L.E.A.D.) will recognize senior members with four-year $5,000 per year scholarships for post-secondary studies. They’ll also be matched with a mentor who plays a leadership role in their industry and community.

A 4-H Farm Safety Fund will also be established to help 4-H clubs, districts and provincial organizations with farm and community safety projects.

“L.E.A.D. is a very special program that recognizes deserving 4-H’ers as they embark on their post-secondary careers and will support them? to learn and excel,” said Shannon Benner, CEO of 4-H Canada.

CN's Sean Finn

CN’s Sean Finn

“CN is very pleased to support this innovative program that fosters both rural youth leadership and safety,” said CN vice-president Sean Finn in Regina. “As a backbone of the Canadian economy, CN recognizes the importance of safety on farms and in rural communities to our society. We believe the scholarship program will help develop the leaders of the future who will promote those qualities across our nation, while the 4-H Farm Safety Fund will allow them to implement farm and rural safety initiatives in their home communities.”

The first four recipients of the first L.E.A.D. scholarships were also announced, recognized for leadership excellence in each of 4-H Canada’s four Leadership Development Pillars:

  • Cameron Choquette (Saskatchewan) – Community Engagement & Communications
  • Meghan McGillivray (British Columbia) – the Environment & Healthy Living
  • Louise Pickard (New Brunswick) – Science & Technology
  • Austin Pizzey (Manitoba) – Sustainable Agriculture & Food Security

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