By Justin Goulet (@JustinGoulet21)

Students learn about agriculture at thirteenth annual Aggie Days

Apr 10, 2019 | 12:24 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Agriculture is in focus at the annual Aggie Days in Lethbridge.

The event is in its thirteenth year and is behind held at Exhibition Park.

Young students from schools in Lethbridge and the surrounding area can check out interactive displays and presentations, teaching them about the farming industry.

Aggie Days is presented by the UFA (United Farmers of Alberta) and runs for two days at the local venue, beginning today, April 10.

“We want to involve kids in learning about our industry and agriculture. We want to show them where food comes from and teach them a little bit about farm safety,” said Kim MacDonald, Manager of Community Investment with the UFA.

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She said some of the displays include the Ag for Life Rural Safety Unit, a mobile educational trailer that promotes and educates on farm safety. Other features at the event include a petting zoo and live animal demonstrations such as horse training.

Ag For Life also sponsored bussing for students from rural schools in the area.

MacDonald said events like Aggie Days are important for future generations.

“A lot of the kids actually do have some sort of base of this education because events like this are really starting to support that education,” she said.

“We’re finding that when we’re interacting with the kids and actually asking these questions, they have a basic knowledge already, which is very encouraging that kids are starting to understand more about this industry and the good that it provides for our community.”

Supervisor of Events and Entertainment at Exhibition Park, Jackie French, said it’s been amazing seeing how Aggie Days has grown over the years.

“It’s actually something many cities do just to keep that ag (agriculture) education going while kids are growing up. A lot of times, that gets lost and kids don’t understand where their food comes from or ‘where that sweater was made from’, so for example wool,” she said.

“Exhibition Park wanted to be a part of that. I don’t know if we’re the first ones that did it … but we’ve been doing it for a long time and continue to do it because we think it’s an important part of the community for kids to learn about agriculture and how important it is.”

French noted that this year’s participation numbers are up from last year, with some 3000 students attending. There are around 50 exhibitors at the event and more animals than in year’s past.

In addition, all school students that registered through their teachers’ class are eligible to win one of two RESP’s (Registered Education Savings Plan) worth $500 each from Exhibition Park and the UFA.

Aggie Days is on until Thursday, April 11 at Exhibition Park.

For more details, visit www.exhibitionpark.ca/ufa-aggie-days/.

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