AMES, Iowa -- Applications are now being accepted from 4-H clubs that wish to receive a 2007 Pioneer Community Improvement Program seed grant for a community improvement project. Pioneer Hi-Bred International, in cooperation with Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development, is offering grants up to $250 to qualifying clubs.

The grants, totaling $5,000, will be available to fund projects to encourage local 4-H clubs in Iowa to plan and carry out community improvement activities, especially project ideas that are unique to their communities. Past examples of projects funded with Pioneer seed money are:

         *Restoring a cemetery or historical monument

         *Collecting children’s books for a homeless shelter or libraries

         *Building or replacing park benches and picnic tables

         *Interviewing senior citizens for a history book or video

         * Painting local park shelters, ball park bleachers or dugouts

Applications and grant descriptions are available at Iowa State University Extension county offices and may be downloaded from www.extension.iastate.edu/4H/PioneerGrants.html. Grant applications are due Dec. 1, 2006 in county Extension offices.

For more information, contact Sue Bogue at (515) 294-1533 or suebogue@iastate.edu.

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