LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — LONDON, Ky. — 4-H has an opportunity to raise funds for Laurel County and statewide 4-H programs through the farm license plate voluntary donation program.

In March 2013, farmers can make a voluntary donation of $10 when renewing their farm license plates at the county clerk’s office. Commissioner of Agriculture James R. Comer announced all farm license plate voluntary donations would be split evenly among 4-H, FFA and the Kentucky Proud program.  

With more than 160,000 farm plates bought or renewed each year in Kentucky, the commissioner’s action could generate up to $1.6 million annually.  

“Kentucky 4-H has been given a tremendous opportunity by Commissioner Comer to raise significant funds to support 4-H,” said Keith Rogers, executive director of the Kentucky 4-H Foundation.  “The voluntary donations from the Kentucky farm license plate renewals will help Kentucky 4-H give young people around the Commonwealth opportunities that develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills.”   

More than 229,000 youth are involved in Kentucky’s 4-H program. Kentucky ranks in top 10 in several 4-H enrollment categories nationwide.  All 120 counties in Kentucky have 4-H programs, and all counties will receive a portion of the support from this fund raising opportunity.

Last year, the 4-H statewide shared total was $121,708.64. The Kentucky 4-H Foundation splits the donations between the county where the funds originated and the 4-H Foundation.  That means part of the farm plate donations stay in Laurel County, funding programs and activities that teach children and teens about, leadership, citizenship, science and technology, communications, public speaking, agriculture, and more.  

However, the program needs more participation.

In 2012, more than two-thirds of Kentuckians who bought or renewed farm plates opted out of making a donation. Sadly, some of the lowest rates of participation were in agriculture-dependent, rural counties.  

Making the voluntary $10 donation is an excellent opportunity for the local agricultural community to support the youth of our community and help fund the programs that can make a lasting difference in their lives.

For more information about Laurel County 4-H, visit their website http://laurel.ca.uky.edu/