Indiana 4‑H Foundation Board Member Lori Tennell understands the value of learning through hands-on experiences citing her involvement with Shelby County 4‑H as a youth. “The skills 4‑H’ers learn in their local clubs – how to conduct meetings, serve as club officers, create and deliver project demonstrations – and the friends they make in their 4‑H club are all skills 4‑H’ers use when they move from students to employees,” says Lori.
Today, Lori serves as vice president of retail operations for Farm Credit Mid-America, a lender to agriculture and a perennial supporter of Indiana 4‑H. From investing in Jr. Leader programming to backing Global Gateway initiatives, she can think of no better way to advance farming and rural communities than to help 4‑H’ers in their quest to rise up to meet new challenges and make the world a better place tomorrow.
To enhance the partnership, Farm Credit issued a challenge grant near the end of 2020 which enabled contributions made to Indiana 4‑H to be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000. Together, they raised an additional $122,901 to support Indiana 4‑H youth participants.
“Farm Credit Mid-America’s purpose is to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture – one home, one farm, one business at a time. One of the ways we fulfill our mission is by supporting 4‑H,” Lori says.
Farm Credit Mid-America cares about youth, education and leadership. Those funds are used for programming for 4‑H’ers across the state to help Indiana youth evolve into the next generation of leaders.
Additionally, Lori notes that, “Farm Credit Mid-America has very close bonds with 4‑H in Indiana. Many of our employees were 4‑H members themselves and so are their children/grandchildren. Many are 4‑H leaders in their communities today and they serve on Extension boards or 4‑H Advisory Councils.”
The 4‑H experience equips youth with leadership opportunities, which then carry into college and a successful life. The Indiana 4‑H Foundation sincerely appreciates the steadfast support from Farm Credit Mid-America and thanks them for their contributions to enable state-wide youth programming.