AgScape and Libro Credit Union Renew Partnership to Foster Agriculture and Food Education in Southwestern Ontario
Milton, Ontario – November 23, 2023 – AgScape is thrilled to announce the renewal of its partnership with Libro Credit Union, based on a shared commitment to empower youth to explore diverse careers within Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food sector. The continuation of this collaboration will enable AgScape to further its reach and impact across southwestern Ontario.
Libro Credit Union has pledged a contribution of $60,000 over the course of three years to support AgScape’s Teacher Ambassador Program and thinkAG Career Competitions. This investment will play a pivotal role in fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of agriculture and food systems, increasing food literacy among Ontario’s youth, and helping them discover rewarding career pathways in Ontario’s dynamic agriculture and agri-food sector.
The Teacher Ambassador Program, AgScape’s flagship program, places skilled educators in grade 4-12 classrooms to deliver engaging, interactive and curriculum-linked lessons related to agriculture and food. Additionally, AgScape’s career exploration events, thinkAG Career Competitions, enable grade 5-12 students to discover diverse career pathways within Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food sector while making real-world connections.
“We are delighted to be furthering our partnership with Libro Credit Union, an organization that shares our values and takes real action to enact change,” said Mira Lyonblum, Executive Director of AgScape. “Together, our innovative work inspires educators and students to engage with our current agriculture and food systems, and understand how they can use their skills to contribute as leaders of the future.”
Libro Credit Union has previously contributed $55,000 to support the delivery of AgScape’s Teacher Ambassador Program and thinkAG Career Competitions, resulting in over 9,000 educational experiences for Ontario youth. The renewal of the partnership between AgScape and Libro Credit Union exemplifies a shared dedication to advancing agriculture and food education in Ontario that will have a lasting impact on the future of agriculture and agri-food sector in the province.
“Libro Credit Union has deep roots in rural communities across southwestern Ontario, so our partnership with AgScape is a natural fit,” explains Jeremy Giret, Libro Credit Union’s Relationship Manager in the London-Elgin-Oxford Region. “I’ve personally witnessed how AgScape’s experiential programs inspire and empower youth to know where their food comes from, to be thoughtful about the food they consume, and to understand the scale of the agri-food industry.”
Giret continues, “At Libro, we’re committed to investing in our communities and supporting initiatives, like AgScape’s thinkAG Career Competitions, that create and strengthen meaningful job opportunities. It’s exciting to introduce students to the countless fulfilling careers that support and rely on agriculture. I’ve also had the privilege of showcasing how Libro supports agri-businesses as a trusted financial partner. Libro’s partnership with AgScape is very rewarding all around.”
About AgScape
AgScape is a charitable organization providing factual, balanced and curriculum-linked agriculture and food literacy programs and resources to Ontario’s educators and students. As one of ten provincial members of Agriculture in the Classroom Canada (AITC-C), the national voice for agriculture education in Canada, AgScape collaborates with AITC-C to ensure every youth in Ontario has an agriculture and food education experience. AgScape is funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a five-year, federal-provincial-territorial initiative. Visit www.agscape.ca to learn more.
About Libro Credit Union
Libro Credit Union is a full-service financial institution serving more than 113,000 member-Owners through a network of digital services and more than 30 physical locations. As a trusted financial partner for 80 years, Libro’s passionate staff and commitment to community sets them apart. Libro invests 100% of profits back into the people, businesses and communities they serve. One of the ways they do this is by supporting organizationsmaking a positive local impact helping to address some of the most challenging issues in southwestern Ontario. Libro is proudly committed to making positive social and environmental impact as a certified B Corporation®, as an associate member of the Responsible Investment Association, and as Living Wage employer. To learn more about Libro’s story, visit www.libro.ca/media.
Media Contact
Joy Qiu
Marketing and Communications Manager, AgScape
joy.qiu@agscapenew.wpengine.com
