The North Dakota 4-H Foundation received an early Christmas gift this week when Jon Long and Jason Randash of BNSF Railway Co. hand-delivered a $10,000 check from the BNSF Foundation.

BNSF Railway is one of North America's leading freight transportation companies, operating on 32,000 route miles of track in 28 states and two Canadian provinces.

“BNSF has been a longtime supporter of North Dakota 4-H and the North Dakota 4-H Foundation, but I had not yet submitted a funding request for this fiscal year, so this came as a surprise,” says Mylie Lavold, development director for the foundation.

“In 2011, you will hear a lot about the 4-H Revolution of Responsibility, a movement for positive change in every community in America,” she adds. “The concept of community responsibility is something both North Dakota 4-H and BNSF have in common. “

The company says on its website: “BNSF strives to maintain strong relationships with our communities – the communities where our employees live, work and play. In everything we do, we strive to provide a work environment that supports the communities where we operate.”

The North Dakota 4-H Foundation helps fund 4-H youth development programs and activities, and provides scholarships for young people in all of North Dakota’s 53 counties.

“We appreciate not only the financial support from BNSF but its willingness to be a true partner in 4-H youth education and career development,” Lavold says.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - Dec. 21, 2010