In the last two weeks, I’ve had the privilege of talking with some of our County’s finest ranchers and farmers. It doesn’t take a Calgary Stampede accolade to identify these men, women and families as the lifeline of this prosperous region, but a world-renowned event like this, certainly helps enlighten the less-informed percentage of the population about the importance of our agriculture community.
Alberta is often looked to first for its millions in oil revenue, but the province’s agriculture sector banks a close second on the books each year. Some of those producers man the fields in our own backyard and would be the last to ask for appreciation.
For the Stampeders that broke away from the popular rodeo and chuckwagon races held over the course of 10 days, they would’ve noticed that the other agriculture competitions and exhibitions on display across the Stampede grounds said a thing or two about the time commitment, thick skin and hard work required for rural life.
More than 1,000 exhibitors put on about 50 agricultural programs to showcase trades and skills that were once used in traditional farming and ones that have evolved into modern farming practises. Examples include the stock dog trials, heavy horse pulls, team penning and blacksmith competitions, to name a few.
The Calgary Stampede can be traced back to 1886 in the city’s former days as an agricultural community. While the City of Calgary has transformed into one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in North America since the Stampede’s inception, just beyond its boundaries is a county that has relatively resisted urbanization and, in many areas, continues to operate using many of those skills and trades. When change happens quickly, there can easily be a disconnect between “where we’ve come from” and “where we are now.”
A common thread I heard while talking with many of the ranchers and farmers, who were either volunteering or competing at the Stampede, was the number of times they’d heard a young person say they’d never touched a farm animal before.
As an Ontario girl hailing from a few generations of Dutch farmers, I find it hard to believe there’s any question where milk comes from or that animals do produce a certain smell, but I guess having a dad that worked a full-time job and farmed 190 acres gave me an introduction to Agriculture 101.
I think of equal importance was for the many competitions and exhibits at the Stampede to dispel the misconception that agriculture is nothing more than sticking a cow in a barn and sitting on a tractor. The amount of science required for yielding a viable crop or producing a healthy stock is one thing, but no sick days, over-time pay or financial security is another.
The uncharacteristic weather Southern Alberta has seen this month - hail storms, torrential downpours, high winds and tornado warnings - adds to the gamble for rural producers who are largely dependent on or affected by Mother Nature for their livelihood.
But if there’s one reigning characteristic these events have demonstrated and the Stampede has crowned, it’s that perseverance is engrained young in rural Alberta and doesn’t hang its hat until after the final crop.
See related stories on page 34.
