Serving the producers of the Northwest
FARMER North Battleford, Saskatchewan
RancheR
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Ag societies still going strong By Josh Greschner Staff Reporter
Agricultural societies are as important today as they’ve been in the past, according to Battlefords Agricultural Society’s executive director, Jocelyn Ritchie. The Battlefords Agricultural Society began in 1885, and is one of the largest in the region. Agricultural societies, Ritchie said, came about in the early 1880s “as a way for people to exchange innovative ideas,” and they progressed from there to hold “all kinds of different shows.” Agricultural societies these days continue a tradition of running country fairs and exhibitions. When asked if agricultural societies are less relevant today, Ritchie said she didn’t believe so. “There are still so many new innovations that are shared throughout some of the things we do,” Ritchie said. Last year, the society hosted Markus Weber of Landview Drones, as he gave a class on operating the machines, which are becoming an important piece of farm equipment. Safety is also a concern for ag societies, and the organizations host safety days. Kids attend for free and learn about farm safety, urban safety and chemical safety, Ritchie said. One change that has taken place over the years, Ritchie said, is people running their own wholesales, livestock shows and auctions and hosting them at their farms. “They used to come and we’d have several different days throughout the year and a lot of different auction sales on our facilities,” Ritchie said. Ritchie is the president of the provincial agricultural societies board and 80 separate communities have agricultural societies. Small country fairs have gained popularity recently, Ritchie said, particularly those in which sellers bring preserves and handiwork. The Battlefords Agricultural Society, according to Ritchie, has “one of the last surviving draft horse shows in the province, and we’re very proud of that.”
The show saw increased participants last year, Ritchie said. “We’re keeping that strong and alive and it’s very important to us,”
Ritchie said. Battlefords Agricultural Society memberships cost $25 per year, and Ritchie said the organization “is always looking for lots of
volunteers.” The Battlefords Agricultural Society’s facilities include the AgriVilla, a 4,800 square foot building available year round for
Battlefords Agricultural Society Executive Director Jocelyn Ritchie says agricultural societies originated as a way to exchange innovative ideas. Photo by Josh Greschner
rentals. It also houses the administration offices of the society. Facilities also include the AgriPlex building, available April to October for rentals. There are also barns and livestock show rings, a grandstand and chuckwagon track and a winter storage area. Upcoming events in-
clude an indoor community garage sale on May 4, Progressive Ag Safety Day Program on Friday, May 10 (the largest urban and rural safety and health education program for children in North America) and Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association races May 31 to June 2.
The 34th annual Agri-mex was held recently featuring 100 exhibits at the Agriplex and Agrivilla showing off the latest items for home and farm. According to the Battlefords Ag Society, Agri-mex is the largest show in the area and annually attracts over 5,000 people from a 160 km radius. Photo by John Cairns
Horse shows are part of the annual fair. File photo Northwest Territorial Days 2019 kicks off with a parade on Aug. 13 and events at the exhibition grounds run Aug. 14 to 16. General gate admission includes everything from the livestock shows (including a heavy horse show and light horse shows), commercial exhibits, yard acts, petting farm, grandstand performances, kids entertainment, demolition derby and more. File photo
The midway at Northwest Territorial Days 2019 will open each day at 1 p.m. and go until midnight. File photo
Professional chariot and chuckwagon races thrill audiences on the Battlefords Agricultural Society track. File photo