Agstravaganza brings agriculture to lifefor Haldimand’s Grade 5 students

by Rachel Vaarkamp

October 1, 2026

CALEDONIA—For a day, the classroom moved to the barns as Haldimand County Grade 5 students got an up-close look at the people, animals, and technology behind the food on their tables.

Agstravaganza returned to the Caledonia Fairgrounds and Riverside Exhibition Centre Thursday, September 24, 2026, giving local students the chance to explore different areas of agriculture through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and conversations with people working in the industry.

CALEDONIA—During Agstravaganza at the Caledonia Fairgrounds, this group of Grade 5 students from Dunnville Christian School learned that animal fleeces can be used to make a variety of items, including wigs, so they decided to give it a try. See more Agstravaganza coverage on page 17. —Submitted photo.

The annual event is organized by the Haldimand Agricultural Awareness Committee and relies on a large group of volunteers who share their time, knowledge, and enthusiasm with the students. From animals and farm equipment to soil, crops, and other aspects of modern agriculture, students were encouraged to ask questions and discover more about an industry that plays an important role in their community.

Judging by the feedback from teachers, the students were eager to share what they had learned.

“The kids came back and had so much to tell me about the trip. They had so much fun,” shared one secretary of an attending school. One teacher described the event as “such a valuable program,” adding that it was a wonderful afternoon of learning for both students and adults.

Representatives from Farm Credit Canada also praised the presenters, sharing hopes to have the Soil and Crop session presenters participate in another agricultural speaking opportunity.

  • CALEDONIA—This student got an up-close look at a tractor brought in by Richard Blyleven.
  • CALEDONIA—Lindsay Farrell teaches students about veterinary medicine on her horse. —Haldimand Press photos by Rachel Vaarkamp.
  • CALEDONIA—JL Mitchener student Maddie gets a handful of protein supplement while exploring farm outputs.
  • CALEDONIA—Student Ava helps feeds a Holstein calf from a bottle.
  • CALEDONIA— Representatives of Twenty View Farm teach students about crop sciences.
  • CALEDONIA—Chicken presenters Chelsea Henderson, Hugh Greenfield, and Charlotte Huitema.
  • CALEDONIA—Jackie Smid, Kayla Wiedrick, and student Christian had an up-close discussion on pigs.

For Henrietta Heeg, Secretary of the Haldimand Agricultural Awareness Committee, that kind of feedback demonstrates the value of bringing agriculture education directly to students.

“It’s what Agstravaganza is all about,” she said.

With many children having fewer opportunities to experience farming firsthand, organizers see the event as a way to help bridge the gap between the classroom and the farm. Agstravaganza gives students an opportunity to discover how agriculture connects to science, technology, food, business, the environment, and countless careers.

Rather than simply talking about where food comes from, students can see agricultural practices up close, meet the people involved, and ask questions about the work that happens behind the scenes.