Farmers’ Day Appreciation Barbecue Draws Great Crowd and Raises $10,000 for Ukrainian Settlers

Farmers’ Day Appreciation Barbecue Draws Great Crowd and Raises $10,000 for Ukrainian Settlers

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

The County of Two Hills in collaboration with the Derwent and District Agricultural Society co-hosted a Farmers’ Appreciation Barbecue at the Derwent Arena on June 10.

An estimated 150 people attended the event which also included a silent auction fundraiser with 100 percent of the proceeds going to resettlement of Ukrainians in the area. Sara Miller, Assistant Agricultural Fieldman for the County of Two Hills, said $10,910 raised also included cash donations.

Connie Mackney, President of the Derwent and District Agricultural Society, Mackney said it was really nice to see the crowd at the Farmers’ Day celebration and to have great support from businesses in the area.

County of Two Hills Div. 2 Councillor Murray Phillips, Agricultural Fieldman Elden Kozak, and Utilities Director Pat Gordeyko.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Following the barbecue, attendees were invited to attend a crop tour that was hosted by the Ag. Society. Kevin Onysyk said 14 people attended the tour along with representatives from Viterra and other agricultural companies. “We looked at wheat organic wheat, canola, oats and barley fields.”

Karen Snethun supports Alternative Land Use Services, (ALUS) Coordinators in Alberta as well as Hub Managers from across Canada, and is also acting as program coordinator for ALUS Lacombe, Flagstaff and Vulcan. Karen is from Central Alberta.

ALUS is a charitable organization with an innovative community-developed and farmer-delivered program that produces, enhances and maintains ecosystem services on agricultural lands. Projects such as wetland restoration and enhancement, riparian buffers, shelterbelts, afforestation and native prairie grass restoration provide cleaner water and air, habitat, carbon sequestration and climate resiliency.

The last time the Ag. Society held the event was back in 2018. It was cancelled in 2019, 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 health restrictions.