4-H and Tractor Supply Company Continue Longstanding Partnership

Agreement will support 4-H programs over the next three years

CHEVY CHASE, Md., Aug. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National 4-H Council and Tractor Supply Co. are pleased to announce that they are extending their partnership agreement for another three years. The funds raised by Tractor, on behalf of 4-H, will continue to fund county, state and national 4-H programs across the country. The new grant will support the continuation of the bi-annual Paper Clover Campaign, a new mobile app, and animal sciences programs through spring 2016.

Since 2010, 4-H and Tractor Supply Company have partnered to promote the bi-annual Paper Clover Campaign—a national in-store fundraiser, benefiting state and local 4-H youth development programming activities in each of the communities where a Tractor Supply Company or Del's Farm and Feed Supply store is located. This year, customers supported 4-H in nearly 1,000 communities by choosing to purchase paper clovers for $1 at checkout, raising $509,039 overall.

In just three years, across 48 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 where they were raised. The effort has provided direct support for local camps, after-school programs and other activities, and has granted scholarships to these events so that youth can explore their interests in everything from agriculture to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

"National 4-H Council is proud of its longstanding relationship with Tractor Supply Company," said Donald T. Floyd Jr., president and CEO of National 4-H Council. "A continued collaboration with Tractor Supply Company will ensure our commitment to support 4-H clubs and programs in the many communities of where Tractor Supply Company and Del's Feed and Farm Supply stores are located."

As part of the ongoing partnership, youth will have the opportunity to experience high tech record keeping. National 4-H Council will develop a new mobile app for animal project record keeping, which will allow 4-Her's to track information about their animal projects and create reports.

Tractor Supply Company is known for offering quality, name brand merchandise including animal products, maintenance products for Ag use, and gardening products. A section of the Tractor Supply Company website, Know How Central, also serves as a resource hub for animal care, tips, and maintenance of Tractor Supply Company products.

"Our partnership with 4-H is a natural fit for both our customers and our stores," said John Wendler, SVP Marketing for Tractor Supply Co. "Our stores are focused on giving back to the communities in which we operate, and doing so in a way that helps sustain what we call the "Out Here" lifestyle. We are proud of the relationship with 4-H at both a community and national level and look forward to continuing to work together to make a difference."

About 4-H
4-H is a community of seven million young people across the globe learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H Council is the private sector, nonprofit partner of 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within USDA. In the U.S., 4-H programs are implemented by the 109 land-grant universities and the Cooperative Extension System through their 3,100 local Extension offices across the country. Overseas, 4-H programs are active in more than 50 countries on six continents around the world.

Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4-H or find us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H.

About Tractor Supply Company
Tractor Supply Company operates more than 1,200 stores in 48 states. The company's 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. Stores are located in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural communities. The company offers the following comprehensive selection of merchandise: (1) equine, pet and animal products, including items necessary for their health, care, growth and containment; (2) maintenance products for agricultural and rural use; (3) hardware and tool products; (4) seasonal products, including lawn and garden power equipment; (5) truck and towing products; and (6) work/recreational clothing and footwear for the entire family.

SOURCE National 4-H Council