AFSC offering $300 Grant to Alberta 4H Clubs

Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) is a proud supporter of 4-H in Alberta through post-secondary scholarships, support for a variety of provincial programs, and their 4-H Alberta Grassroots Fund.

Through this fund, any new or existing 4-H Alberta sanctioned club can apply for up to $300 to be used to support activities, programs, events or initiatives that fall into the areas of Agriculture/Agri-Food, Education and Outreach, and Community Well-Being. Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are allotted.

Agriculture/Agri-Food: supporting the business of, or the advancement of the agriculture, agribusiness and agri-food industry, or the next generation of agriculture.

Education, Outreach & Training: supporting initiatives and services that contribute to education, awareness and increased knowledge related to agriculture/agri-food, agriculture/agri-food financial literacy and agriculture/agri-food risk management in order to help maintain stable high quality food development. These events and initiatives are where members, leaders and community members gather and learn, and may also include speaking engagements.

Community Well-Being: initiatives that build community capacity, and/or contribute to healthy vibrant communities.

After meeting one or more of these focus areas, funds can be directed towards:

• Event or program development and implementation
• Costs associated with events (transportation, entrance and admission fees)
• Developing or purchasing resource and activity materials
• Speaker/trainer fees (eg. mental health speaker, workshop presenter)
• Volunteer support and recognition
• Costs to start a new club
• Purchase of equipment and supplies.

The AFSC 4-H Alberta Grassroots Fund does NOT support:

• Applications submitted by district, regions or other 4-H committees
• Purchase of club/district/region clothing for members, volunteers, parents, leaders, etc.
• Events/programs that occur outside of Alberta, even if there is Albertans organizing, attending or participating
• Events where alcohol is the focus or a portion of an event focused on alcohol (ex. Wine nights, bars at events, beer golf holes, alcohol raffles)
• 4-H communications/public speaking events already exclusively sponsored by another 4-H Alberta sponsor

Previous recipients of the funds have carried out unique and creative activities, such as:

• DFJ 4-H Multi Club accessed the Grassroots Fund to help with the club’s Explore Alberta project. The project was geared toward providing members with an opportunity to explore Alberta’s secret gems, historical locations and off-the-beaten path locations. Grassroots funding was used to give members a day experience at the Metis Heritage Centre.
• The Brooks & Area 4-H Beef Club used money from the Grassroots Fund to help a senior member, who was enrolled in the Leadership for your Club project, create and organize mental health events for the club’s members.
• The Willingdon 4-H Multi Club hosted a series of learning segments throughout the year to help their members increase their knowledge-related agriculture financial literacy and record keeping, traceability, and lamb and ewe production. Grassroots funds helped offset supply and speaker costs.
• The Northlands 4-H Club, a city-based multi-club, accessed the Grassroots Fund to help offset costs involved in renting a hall for their achievement day/wrap-up day. This Edmonton-based club features a wide array of projects, including Outdoor Pursuits, Game Development/Coding, Foods, Exploring 4-H, Urban Ag, Performing Arts, and Photography.

Applications for the 4-H Alberta Grassroots Fund open today, October 3, 2023.

For more information and to apply, visit https://afsc.ca/about-afsc/community/4-h-alberta-grassroots-fund/