Ag-cellent education at Agrstravaganza

By Haldimand Press Staff

CALEDONIA—A total of 475 students from 18 Grade 5 classes out of 11 Haldimand schools attended Agstravaganza on Thursday, September 19, 2019 at the Caledonia Fairgrounds.

Agstravaganza is an annual education event put on by the Haldimand Agricultural Awareness Committee: Arlene Fox, Henrietta Heeg, Cathy Lemire, Jean Lyall, Michael Richards, Paul Snyder, Renee Hedley, Richard Blyleven, Danielle Vaarkamp, Lindsey Farrell, and Vickie Peart.

All Haldimand schools participate in the event, with some schools attending every year and others every other year. The goal is to educate the children on various agricultural topics. Students were invited to ask questions and get hands on with some of the animals to learn about where their food comes from. The local producers who spoke to students at Agstravaganza included: Sheep – Jerry Kellher, Jerry Haanstra; Dairy – Wilco & Danielle Vaarkamp, Hubert Heeg, Kevin & Sara Tiersma, Henrietta Heeg (Haldimand Norfolk Dairy Educator); Beef – Jason Richardson, Dr. Sherry Smith, Wilbert Rowntree; Swine – Ed Feeney, Jackie Smid; Chicken – Hugh Greenfield, Charlotte Huitema, Paul Snyder; Soil & Crops – Kim Hessels, Bob Henley; Apiary- Shawn Rennie (Creekside Apiaries); and Veterinarian – Lindsey Farrell-Johnson (Caledonia Veterinary Clinic).