Toyota Awards National 4-H Council $1.48 Million to Engage 1.3 Million Youth Participating in 4-H Environmental Programming

CHEVY CHASE, Md., April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to support over 1.3 million kids participating in environmental science programs nationwide, Toyota today presented National 4-H Council with a $1.48 million grant for 4-H's strong science, engineering and technology programming.

Presented this morning during the 2008 National 4-H Conference, the grant will help 4-H introduce Exploring Your Environment, a new multi-tiered environmental curriculum focusing on promoting water conservation programs. The grant will also support the development and launch of 4-H2Online -- an interactive online water conservation learning experience -- and expand the water conservation program nationally through community grants in five states scheduled to launch in June 2008.

"4-H takes great pride in our environmental education efforts," said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., president and CEO of National 4-H Council. "We are pleased to be partnering with Toyota on this great program. Thanks to their support, 4H20 will reach youth nationwide through state-of-the-art interactive online learning and community engagement leading to strong science and technology skills and environmental awareness."

"We are excited to work with 4-H as they build their capacity in sustainable environmental programming and introduce water conservation programming to more youth nationwide," said Anna-Maria Schneider, vice president of Toyota Motor North America. "It is rewarding for our company to support an organization like 4-H that has such a tremendous impact on America's youth and its future."

Toyota established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants, with another under construction in Mississippi. Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Through its corporate initiatives, manufacturing operations and philanthropy, Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. In 2007, Toyota contributed more than $56 million on philanthropy in the U.S. For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit www.toyota.com/community.

4-H is a community of more than 6.5 million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. National 4-H Council is the national, private sector, non-profit partner of the 4-H Youth Development Program and its parent, the Cooperative Extension System of the United States Department of Agriculture. Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org.

Photo, caption and extended release available at: www.fourhcouncil.edu/newsroom.aspx.

  Contacts:
  National 4-H Council:
  Allyson McMahan
  Project Manager, Marketing & Communications
  amcmahan@fourhcouncil.edu
  301-961-2915

  Toyota Motor North America:
  Daniel Sieger
  Manager, Media Relations
  dsieger@tma.toyota.com
  646-509-3330