About the Eaglesham & District Agricultural Society
Eaglesham is a Birch Hills County Community
Centrally located in the Peace River Country of Alberta
We are:
A safe, family friendly community in which to live
An excellent location for Business
An fantastic place to complete an adventurous high school education
with The Eaglesham Outdoor Pursuits Program
Ag Societies touted as vital in rural Alberta
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AG Societies touted as vital in rural Alberta
Agricultural societies boast “an established history as the heart of Alberta’s rural communities” and the province wants to keep them pumping, according to the responsible minister.
“Ag Societies help communities across Alberta thrive by providing events, volunteer opportunities, recreational facilities and so much more.” said Agricultural and Irrigation Minister r.J. Sigurdson. “Alberta’s government recognizes the hard work that goes into all of this, and we’re incredibly grateful to the thousands of volunteers that make it possible.”
Rodeo grounds, ice rinks, community kitchens, parks full of farm equipment, fairs, tournaments - if those or other physical hubs or enduring events exist in your rural community, chances are there’s an agricultural society connection.
Roy Bohn says the Spruce Grove Farmers Market, west of Edmonton, ventured out on its own about six years ago. But it remains closely affiliated with its original sponsor the Sppruce Grove District Agricultural Society.
The market owns an enclosure on the property it rents from the ag society. Nearby is an historic wooden grain elevator that the society operates as a museum.
Bohn’s parents were amoung the market’s founders in 1977. “The ag society ended up giving the market $200, said there you are, go, on and God bless.”
The first ag society in what would become Alberta, arrived on the scene in 1879, says information posted on the website of the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies. Today 291 predominantly rural ag societies operate, and 20 jof them are at least 100 years old. Another 24 celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2022, the website documents.
It takes more than 52,000 volunteer hours a year to support the societies’ work - that’s $8.9 million worth of labour - as they help keep the light on the roofs intact for more than 700 facilities, and run events that attract 1.6 million attendees a year.
Sigurdson told the legislative assembly on March 14 that his ministry intends to keep providing grants for major ag facility repairs and operations. The Agricultural societies Infrastructure Revitalization Program continues as $2.5 million a year, funding 34 projects in the last approvals round. The funding for Saskatoon Lake, northwest of Grande Prairie is one of three examples under the program provided in an e-mail from the ministry.
Other provinciall funding available to ag societies includes $16 million in Budget 2024 towards the Community Initiatives program, or CIP. It supports non-profit organizations in the delivery of “diverse projects that foster healthy, vibrant communities in every corner of the province,” said an agriculture ministry spokesperson.
Agricultural societies can apply under CIP for operating grants and, for new or enhanced programs and events or project-based grants. Individual grants are worth up to $75,000.
Budget 2024 maintains $50 million for the Community Facility Enhancement Program, which “fosters healthy, vibrant communities across Alberta” by supporting the renewal, expansion, ppurchase of building of arts, culture, heritage, sports, recreation and other public-use facilities. Assistance worth up to $1 million is available.
As well, agricultural societies benefit from grants from other departments, governments, groups, businesses and sponsors, which the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies post online.
Jennifer Johnson, the member representing Lacombe-Panoka, said ag societies play a “foundational role in the training, safety and maintenance of our rural communities,” putting $3 back for every government dollar invested.
Programs like 4-H and Open Farm Days are crucial in educating coming generations of Albertans, said Johnson, an Independent member of the assembly. “How can we ensure that ag societies will continue to be valued and acknowledged contributors for decades to come?” Johnson asked.
Perhaps a designated day will help.
Sigurdson said last year he made September 21 Ag Societies Day in Alberta. “There isn’t a month that goes by where ag societies don’t leave a positive impact on our communities and our agriculture sector, and by observing this day each year, we can ensure all of Alberta knows it.”
By George Lee
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Macleod Gazette
The Eaglesham & District Agricultural Society
Would you like to join our energetic team and help build your community?
Call one of the directors or executive below.
See the “About The Eaglesham Ag Society” link below to view our mission statement
The Eaglesham Fair: 51 years a legacy and changing with the times!
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History of the Eaglesham Fair
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The Eaglesham fair has been a popular, annual Peace Country event for the last 51 years.
A magnet of family fun and entertainment that people in the Peace Country would look forward to each August, the fair boasted of non-stop fun. Starting with a grand parade the day would progress to encompass a bench show, games booth, Gymkhana and ball games.
Horse events, wild cow milking and visiting entertainers filled fun days between a Pancake Breakfast and delightful suppers.
What will happen to the Eaglesham Fair?
Times are changing, out of necessity and in an effort to serve the community and the Peace Region more effectively the Eaglesham Agricultural Society has elected to change the format of this event.
No, the fair is not disappearing forever, what you will see instead of a large two or three day event are several one day events spread throughout the summer. There will still be ball games and horse events and, of course, our annual July 1st. event. You will still see entertainment for children and families as well as some new and exciting venues to be announced.
The Eaglesham Ag Society is developing the campground at the Fairground as a group campsite. This will bring new people into the area and provide a travel destination that will benefit the community.
About the Eaglesham & Districts Agricultural Society
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The Eaglesham Agricultural Society
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President………………………….Martine Piebiak - - 780-359-2448
Vice president……………………Vern Britton
Treasurer………….………………Gale Skogan
Secretary ………………………Andrea Farrell - - 780-359-2709
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A big thank you to our faithful sponsors
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A Big Thank you to the following fine people and businesses who have donated $100 dollars or more. We couldn’t do this without you.
Eaglesham Royal Purple, Eaglesham, AB
D & L Steaming and Vacuum, Box 26, Eaglesham, AB
Ross Ag Ltd. Falher Alberta. 780-837-2267
Eagle '99 Parts and Service Corp., Eaglesham 780-359-2222
Mazurek Farms, Eaglesham
Martin Deerline 712 Main St. SE, Falher, Alberta 780-837-2267
| Devon Canada Corporation |
Barb and Ray Chandonnet, Eaglesham
Cliff, Linda & Nicholas Garrett, Eaglesham
Leonard Despins, Eaglesham
Dave and Brenda Yaremko, Tangent
Alfred and Shelly Vandeligt, Eaglesham
Kelvin Wright
Maple Rock Farms Ltd., Eaglesham 780-359-2709 Box 120, Eaglesham, AB
Paradis Valley Honey, Watino Box 30, Watino, AB
Tangent Community Hall Society, Box 44, Tangent, AB
Edan Enterprizes Ltd., Box 149, Eaglesham, AB
Birch Hills County 780-694-3793 Box 157, Wanham, AB
Charrois Motor Products, High Prairie 877-630-2709, High Prairie, AB
Lakeside Golf and Country Club, 780-359-2025 Box 182, Eaglesham, AB
Long-Run Exploration
ATCO Electric, Box 2426, Edmonton, AB
Little Rock Enterprizes Inc. 780-359-3657 Box 224, Eaglesham, AB
15102 - 101 St., Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0P7
CD Rouleau Construction, Box 327, Eaglesham, AB
UFA Bulk Agent - Wanham Alberta 780-864-3944 Box 248, Wanham, AB
Rocky Man Equipment, for machine donation to the tractor pull
Martin Deerline, Falher, 780-837-2267 712 Main St SE, Falher, AB T0H 1M0 - for donation and supplying the pulling machine for the Tractor Pull
Wayne Wells Trucking, Wanham for donation and organizing the Tractor Pull
Crop Production Services for the Pancake Breakfast
Birch Meadows Hutterite Colony for supplying the pigs for the mini rodeo events
Shady Lane Hutterite Colony for supplying the sheep for mutton busting
Codesa Hutterite Colony for flowers.
All those who donated to our Spring Scurry in memory of Doreen Finlayson
Thank you to all those who helped organize, prepared food, and just volunteered to help out
Donations and support for the Community by the Eaglesham Ag Society in 2012
- Rubber Boot Gala
- County Community Beautification
- Junior Golf - $200 donation to year end meal
- Fund raising opportunities for community groups via the fair: 2013 Grad Class, WSRC, Catholic Church, Youth Group, etc
- $1000 donation to STARS
- Susan Walker Trust Fund
- School Greenhouse Building Project
- Fireworks at the WSRC New Year’s Eve Gala
Eaglesham & District Agricultural Sociey © 2014 - current to 2023 . . . Contact