Thanks for Farming Tour has two stops in Lethbridge — and elsewhere

Jul 2, 2021 | 1:28 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — Farmers are right up there with first responders, truckers and grocery store workers among those whose jobs seemed to never stop over the past 15 months.

Jeremy Matuszewski, organizer of the Thanks for Farming Tour, says they kept people fed deserve a huge thanks. The Thanks for Farming Tour does just that.

Matuszewski started the tour last year and for 2021 has stops planned next week in Lethbridge on the 7 and 8, then in Swift Current on July 13 and14 and in Brandon on July 28 and 29.

Exhibitors will be there to showcase new equipment, technology and speakers will cover topics like succession planning, cover crops and mental health in the ag industry.

“We’re bringing in speakers that can add value to the farmers not only in information that they can use on their farm, but also just in information they can use in life,” Matuszewski said.

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Last year when trade shows were cancelled due to COVID, Matuszewski, who often connects with farmers at trade shows, saw two issues.

“One, how are we going to continue to connect with farmers and two I just felt like deservedly so a lot of people were saying thank you to a lot of different industries, nurses, doctors, police, firefighters and deservedly so but I really felt like nobody was doing anything or saying thank you to the farmers.”

As well, he said farmers are often in rural areas often due to the nature of the job, which can lead to a greater sense of isolation and lack of connectedness. The tour is a way to come together.

“Really just giving a safe place where guys can get off the farm and get with their neighbours and kind of see people again.”

There is a $20 entry fee for the event, which supports local charities.

Learn more about the Thanks for Farming Tour here.

by Chris Brown