(INNISFAIL, AB) – 126 grade 5 Innisfail students learned about the importance of agriculture and knowing where their food comes from with tours to local farms and ranches. Held on June 3rd, the event was organized by the Innisfail & District Agricultural Society with the support of local farmers and ranchers, volunteers and Agriculture for Life.
École John Wilson Elementary and St-Marguerite students loaded the bus and headed to the outskirts of town to experience farm and ranch life first-hand at the 9th annual Innisfail & District Agricultural Society Farm Tour. Students enjoyed learning about the life of a dairy family at Yff Dairy where they were put to work bottle-feeding the calves. A short drive away they rolled up their sleeves to pick and sample asparagus from the garden at Edgar’s Farm with an educational tour and taste of the newly planted pea tendrils. The final stops included a visit to Gisler Family Goat Farm, which incorporated a session with Alberta Canola Producers and a try at ranch roping, and a stop at Spruce Haven Cattle Farm where the students learned about the essential care and management of livestock.
“Providing students with a hands-on farming experience is invaluable and essential in educating today’s youth about the importance of agriculture,” says David Sprague, Ag for Life CEO. “Many students don’t know where their food comes from outside of the grocery store and farm tours provide them with an opportunity to build an understanding and appreciation of the impact agriculture has on their lives,” adds Sprague.
“The Innisfail & District Agricultural Society organizes this very important annual fun filled event to educate local students on the importance of agriculture in their lives. We want the students to know and show where their food is coming from. By taking the students to four local farms, the students get the hands on knowledge and exposure they otherwise might never experience,” says Sylvia Mathon, Event Coordinator.
About Ag for Life
Ag for Life (Agriculture for Life) has a mandate to deliver educational programming designed to improve rural and farm safety while building public understanding around the critical role agriculture plays in society. The organization brings together various sectors including agri-services, energy, financial and not-for-profit organizations, along with farmers, ranchers and community leaders.
Ag for Life is made possible through the funding and commitment of companies that employ almost 20,000 people in more than 350 Alberta communities. Founding Members include Agrium Inc., ATB Financial, ATCO Group, Penn West, Rocky Mountain Equipment, TransCanada
Corporation and UFA Co-operative Limited. Contributing Members include AdFarm and Glacier FarmMedia.