The 4-H Toyota Tundra on display at the Royal Winter Fair, 2008.

The staff at 4-H Ontario will be rolling on 4 wheels - thanks to a five-way partnership anchored by Canada's Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) and Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI). The wheels, used to hit the roads to promote 4-H Ontario, will be on a Toyota Tundra.

In 1998, 4-H Ontario launched a Foundation Endowment Campaign to generate increased capacity and sustainability for 4-H at the local, regional and provincial levels. This year marks the 10th anniversary of that initiative which has passed the million dollar milestone. However, the work is not done. To continue the growth of the endowment program, 4-H has launched a brand new awareness campaign that will, over the next four years, focus on raising the profile of the 4-H Ontario Foundation. To achieve this goal, five key partners have stepped forward to put 'The 4-H Truck' on the road - Canada's Outdoor Farm Show, Toyota Canada Inc., UPI Energy LP, Ontario Mutual Insurance Association and Guelph Toyota.

"4-H has been built on partnerships," says Lyndon Stewart, Executive Director of 4-H Ontario. "Thanks to great partnerships like these, 4-H Ontario will continue its 93 year old legacy of youth leadership development."

Stewart will be using the truck as a traveling billboard for 4-H and its partners. The truck will not only be used to promote the Foundation but also to support the regional and provincial camps, and other 4-H activities. UPI Energy LP agreed to be the official fuel sponsor and Ontario Mutual Insurance Association is the official insurance provider. Guelph Toyota will provide regular service maintenance for the Tundra.

The partnership between Canada's Outdoor Farm Show and 4-H Ontario began 15 years ago with the inaugural Outdoor Farm Show held in Burford, Ontario. Throughout the years 4-H has been involved in various activities at COFS from coffee delivery to selling merchandise. A fundraising auction was held at COFS in 2005, raising $35,000 to mark 4-H Ontario's 90th anniversary. In 2006, COFS designated a building on-site as the 4-H Ontario Pavilion, establishing a permanent home for 4-H during the show. Canada's Outdoor Park hosted the Western Ontario Junior Holstein 4-H Show in 2007 and 2008, providing 4-H members the opportunity to learn about show preparation and practice their showmanship skills.

"Many of our team members at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show, including myself, were once 4-Hers" says Doug Wagner, Vice President of Park Logistics and Auctions Canada's Outdoor Shows Limited. "We know how the organization inspires youth to develop outstanding leadership skills" and we also understand that today's 4-H members are tomorrow's farm managers – and customers for our sponsors."

To learn how you can support the 4-H Foundation Endowment Campaign
please visit www.4-hontario.ca or call 1-877-410-6748.

Canada's Outdoor Farm Show will be held September 15, 16 & 17, 2009 at Canada's Outdoor Park in Woodstock, ON.