• By April Bowman
• Posted Friday, May 3, 2013

4-H Fundraiser Begins

National 4-H Council announced the launch of the spring 2013 4-H Paper Clover Campaign in partnership with Tractor Supply Company (TSC). This event marks the 3rd year of collaboration between the organizations on the national in-store fundraiser, benefiting state and local 4 H programming in each of the communities where a TSC store is located.

“Funds raised are used to fund our 4-H Scholarship account; providing valuable assistant to our young people with their 4-H project work and allowing them to attend 4-H events like NC 4-H Congress held at NC State University every summer.”, says April Bowman, 4-H Youth Development Agent with the Forsyth County Cooperative Extension Center.

The spring 2013 4-H Paper Clover Campaign will take place May 8 through May 19, 2013. For the first time of TSC and 4-H's partnership, shoppers at the Rural Hall or Clemmons store will have the opportunity to support 4-H in Forsyth County by choosing to purchase paper clovers for a $1, $5, or more at checkout. All funds raised will be donated to 4-H, and will support 4-H youth development program activities in Forsyth County.

“Through this highly impactful community event, we have been able to raise funds nationally over the past few years for thousands of 4-H youth across the country," said Donald T. Floyd Jr., president and CEO of National 4-H Council. “We are more than pleased with the success of the 4-H Paper Clover Campaign, and we are even more honored to continue the tremendous partnership that drives support for 4-H clubs and programs in the communities of more than 1,000 Tractor Supply Company and Del's Feed and Farm Supply stores.”

In just three years, across 45 states, the TSC 4-H Paper Clover Campaign has provided more than $2 million to 4-H across the country. All proceeds raised directly benefit 4-H, with 70 percent of funds being returned to state and local 4-H programs. The effort has provided direct support for local camps, after-school programs and other activities, and has granted scholarships to these events that youth can explore their interests in everything from animal science to robotics.

“Our Paper Clover efforts are one of the key ways our stores can give back to the community," said John Wendler, senior vice president of Marketing for Tractor Supply Company. "By providing essential funding for hundreds of thousands of 4-H young people, we are able to support local organizations that are important to both our customer and our Team Members. We're proud to help improve the many communities in which we have stores through our partnership with 4-H.That is what Tractor Supply is all about."

Once again, funds donated during the national campaign will be tracked online and recorded by state and by store. Visit www.tractorsupply.com/4-H, for more information on the spring 2013 4-H Paper Clover Campaign and to view the donation tracker.

About 4-H

4-H is a community of six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within USDA. The 4-H programs are implemented by the 111 land grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System through their 3,100 local Extension offices across the country. Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H and Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H.

About Tractor Supply Company

Tractor Supply Company, operates more than 1,150 stores in 45 states. Tractor Supply Company stores are focused on supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers. The company also serves the maintenance needs of those who enjoy the rural lifestyle, as well as tradesmen and small businesses. Tractor Supply Company stores are located in the outlying towns in major metropolitan markets and in rural communities. The company offers a comprehensive selection of merchandise for the health, care, growth and containment of horses, livestock and pets including select Purina and Nutrena brand feeds; a broad selection of agricultural products; and tools and hardware selected for our customers’ needs. In addition, the company sells light truck equipment, work clothing for the entire family, and an extensive line of seasonal products including lawn and garden power equipment products. For more information on Tractor Supply, access the website at www.TractorSupply.com.