UPCOMING EVENTS
2024
12 June 2024
HISTORIC SCHOOL PROJECT SPONSORS
Rocky Ag Society is looking for individuals and businesses interested in partnering in the Historic School Project.
If you would like to become a sponsor please contact rockyagsocietyinfo@gmail.com
NEWS
Rocky Mountain House Agricultural Society in the Community
2024 OPEN FARM DAYS CARAVAN TOUR
17 August 2024
It was another successful event for the Rocky Mountain House Agricultural Society! On Saturday, August 17, the Ag Society hosted the Open Farm Caravan Tour. Participants joined together to tour four area farms and then gathered at Rival Trade to enjoy a fabulous meal, prepared by Chef Sandra who used locally sourced ingredients. Some of the participants took advantage of the brewery tour as well. Thank you to everyone who made the day such a success!
OPEN FARM DAYS VISITOR SURVEY AND GIVEAWAY
17 August 2024
Share your thoughts for a chance to win an Open Farm Days gift package!
RMHNHS CANADA DAY CELEBRATION
1 July 2024
Thank you to team "Canada Day" - Cheryl & girls, Jim, Ross & Karen, Mark & Jack, Peggy & family, Allan & Wanda and Lori! It was a great day at the park. The participation was overwhelming! Thanks to Sarah for having us as part of Canada Day at the National Historic Park. It was a great event for the Ag Society and also an opportunity for those participating to experience a small taste of chore time!
ROCKY PRO RODEO 50TH ANNIVERSARY PARADE
8 June 2024
The Rocky Ag Society participated in the Rocky Pro Rodeo 50th anniversary parade on Saturday, June 8. Rowdy the rooster along with Jim Terpsma (and family), Cheryl Terpsma (and family), Rick & Connie Kwantes, Karen & Ross McCutcheon, Lori Sunde-Cooper & Wanda Sunde made this possible and braved the rain to present the float.
HISTORIC SCHOOL PROJECT KICKOFF
27 May 2024
On May 27, 2024, project coordinators Allan Sunde (left) and Case Cover (right), along with Rocky Ag Society President, Karen McCutcheon, kicked off the Historic Schools project at Alhambra.
2023 MEMBER OF THE YEAR
25 March 2024
Sarah Follett
The Rocky Ag Society celebrates our members. At the 2022 AGM, Sarah was new to the Rocky Ag Society and accepted the position of Secretary. During the year, she not only kept the Ag Society organized, she also maintained the social media, provided graphic design to promote Ag Society activities and events, and volunteered with event planning, the EAT program, and the Open Farm Days Caravan Tour.
2024 YOUNG FARMERS AWARD
25 March 2024
Vanessa and Mark Lobley
The Rocky Ag Society recognizes young people in our area who are actively farming. The Lobley’s raise beef, sheep, goats, pork and poultry, and produce hay and cereal crops. They attend training sessions on land, water and weed management strategies. They implemented a Farm Safety Plan and an Environmental Farm Plan. They promote agriculture through 4-H, EAT, Classroom Agriculture Program (CAP), and other volunteer activities.
2024 AAAS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
25 March 2024
Rayelle Cooper
The Rocky Ag Society nominated Rayelle for an Association of Alberta Agricultural Societies Scholarship. She accepted the scholarship at the AAAS Convention in February. She is pursuing an Environmental Science degree at Mount Royal University.
2023 BURSARY WINNERS
25 March 2024
The Rocky Ag Society provides up to 5 bursaries worth $1,000 each to local students attending post-secondary education.
Hayden is enrolled in Environmental Sciences at Mount Royal University.
Ava is enrolled in Red Deer Polytechnic and working toward her Bachelor of Education to become an elementary school teacher.
Andrew is attending the University of Alberta, working toward becoming an agrologist.
Brianna is registered in Therapeutic Recreation in Gerontology at Lethbridge College and plans to pursue Animal Wellness.
Grace is pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture with a major in Economics at the University of Alberta.
Jordyn has a Bachelor of Science in Animal Health and is now pursuing Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary.
Applications are now open for the 2024 Student Bursaries – visit www.rockyagsociety.com for the current application form.
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2024 AG SPRING FLING
6 April 2024
AG SPRING FLING ‘24
Join us Saturday April 6th at the Leslieville Hall for an evening of fun and entertainment! Dean Pengelly and Greg Germscheid will be performing live! Beef on a Bun will be served (included in ticket price) and drinks will be available for purchase.
Doors open at 5pm, Dinner will be served at 6pm and Music will kick off at 730pm.
Tickets are available for purchase @ Clearwater County Ag Services, through AG Society Directors or by emailing rockagsocietyprez@gmail.com
$30 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Families are welcome!
LESLIEVILLE BLOCK PARTY
16 September 2023
The Rocky Ag Society participated in a day filled with agricultural safety presented by Agriculture for Life Rural Safety Unit on main street Leslieville AB.
2023 OPEN FARM DAYS CARAVAN TOUR
19 August 2023
Locals participated in an extraordinary journey through Central Alberta's Farming Community! The Open Farm Days Caravan Tour itinerary kicked off at 9am from Rival Trade Brewing, with a tour to 4 captivating farms. At 6pm, and a Farm-To-Table supper, featuring Chef Sandra Wolf's culinary magic.
2023 E.A.T. TOUR
31 May 2023
The connection to our food and the land is more important than ever, and the Rocky Ag Society is proud to play a role in educating the next generation of consumers - and potentially producers - about what it takes to feed Alberta!
Each year the Rocky Agricultural Society partners with Clearwater County and 4 local farms to host an Educational Agriculture Tour (E.A.T) for Grade 4 students. This program gives students the opportunity to see where their food comes from, learn how it's produced and understand the work it takes to make that happen.
Sheep Shearing, Roping, Bee Keeping and Dairy Production were just a few of our favorite highlights from this year's event. What was your favorite activity?!
2023 AG TOUR *CANCELLED*
June 2023
~ This event has been CANCELLED for 2023, please see below for details as it will be returning in the upcoming season ~
Join us from Thursday, June 1 to Saturday, June 3 as we explore the thriving agriculture scene in Westlock, AB and beyond!
For only $250 per person, you'll enjoy comfortable bus transportation, admission to all attractions, several delicious meals, and even a captivating guest speaker! Our jam-packed itinerary includes exciting stops at a state-of-the-art greenhouse, a local distillery, fascinating museums, the renowned Neerlandia Co-op, and the picturesque Pine Haven Farms, among others!
To secure your spot, simply send your name(s) and payment via e-transfer to rockyagsocietyprez@gmail.com OR drop your cheque off in person at the Grey Wooded Forage Association @ 3409 45 St. Please make the cheque payable to the Rocky Agricultural Society.
Deadline to register is May 15, 2023!
For more information contact:
Case or Marlene Korver at 403-844-6340
Grey Wooded Forage Assoc. at 403-844-2645
2022 ROCKY AG SOCIETY AGM
9 Nov 2022
You are invited to the AGM of the Rocky Mountain House Agricultural Society on Wednesday, November 23 in the Subway Room, Rocky Regional Rec. Centre. Doors open at 6 pm for coffee ; meeting starts at 7 pm. Come and join us and help us shape the future for young farmers and all those interested in the rural lifestyle and sustainability of agriculture in all its shapes and sizes!
THE WARDENS
20 Oct 2022
The Rocky Ag Society is pleased to bring back The Wardens. They are a very entertaining and talented group, sharing the life of being park wardens on the eastern slopes through music and story telling. Mark October 29 on your calendar. Beef on a bun at 6 pm with the concert to follow at the Leslieville Community Hall. Tickets $35 each and are available from Ag Society directors or call Case at 403 895-3776.
2022 BURSARY RECIPIENTS
Fall 2022
The Rocky Ag Society is pleased to offer five $1000 bursaries each year to area students pursuing a post-secondary education. RAS president Jim Terpsma made the presentation at the recent David Thompson High School Awards to two recipients: Lacey Terpsma and Brooklyn Smith. Congratulations and good wishes in your chosen career path!
Not pictured: Esther HondeBrink - West Central High School
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2022 OPEN FARM DAYS CARAVAN TOUR
30 July 2022
Join the Rocky Ag Society for a tour of local farms participating in Open Farm Days Alberta and a locally sourced dinner on Saturday, August 13th.
Staging from Rival Trade Brewery at 10:30 am.
Tour 4 participating farms: Hamingja - Hertiage Farm; High Country Berries; Hoven Farms; Little Farm on Wall Street
Bring a picnic lunch or purchase from food vendors on the farm
Return to Rival Trade for a brewery tour
Locally sourced dinner prepared by Sandra Wolf
Registration limited to 60 participants.
Payment by e-transfer to rockyagsocietyprez@gmail.com or by cheque payable to Rocky Ag Society (drop off at Clearwater County Ag Services Building)
Deadline to register and pay is Monday, August 8, 2022 by noon
2022 ROCKY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY BURSARY
1 June 2022
Post-Secondary Bursaries - the Rocky Ag Society is pleased to offer five $1000 bursaries to qualifying applicants for any post-secondary educational program of four months of longer. Application forms are available at the Clearwater County Office, West Central High School, St. Dominic's Catholic High School, David Thompson High School, or the Rocky Community Learning Council and the Campus Alberta website. They must be submitted by June 30 to .....RAS, Box 1021, RMH, AB T4T 1A7. For more information contact Ellen, Bursary Committee Chairperon at niels_ellen@telusplanet.net or rockyagsocietyprez@gmail.com
CHEQUE PRESENTATION TO ROCKY MUSEUM
17 Mar 2022
Director Art Terpsma presenting a cheque to the Rocky Museum. Jean-Marie Mason is accepting on behalf of the Museum.
ROCKY DISTRICT 4-H PUBLIC SPEAKING WINNERS
8 Mar 2022
Rocky Ag Society sponsored the trophies for this year's intermediate public speaking winners.
Pictured above is all Rocky District 4-H public speakers.
ROCKY DISTRICT 4-H PRESENTATION WINNERS
7 Mar 2022
Rocky Ag. Society sponsored the trophies for this years district presentation winners.
ROCKY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY CELEBRATING TWO PROVINCIAL LEVEL AWARDS
4 Feb 2022
By Brittany Willsie, Staff reporter for The Mountaineer :
The Rocky Mountain House Agricultural Society is celebrating the hard work of two members who were recently recognized at the provincial level.
On Friday, Feb. 4th, the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies (AAAS) held its annual convention in Edmonton. It was there that Ellen Bonde, a long-time member of the Rocky Agricultural Society, was presented with a plaque welcoming her onto the AAAS Honour Roll.
Each year the AAAS welcomes nominations from the 293 agricultural societies across the province for members who have made outstanding contributions to agricultural societies in Alberta. Two nominees are selected each year to receive honourary life memberships. Bonde has been a member of the Rocky Mountain House Agricultural Society since 1977. She Said her and her husband, Niels, joined when the society was seeking new membership and many of their neighbours were becoming members.
"My parents always worked in the community and I was brought up that way and Niels' father was the same," Bonde said.
"I just believe that it's better to give back to the community rather than sit back and wait for the community to give to you."
Over the last 45 years, Bonde was served in all executive positions. Her experience with 4-H allowed her to conduct efficient meetings in an orderly fashion. She is still actively involved with 4-H today at district and regional levels. In addition to holding executive positions, Bonde was the society's bookkeeper for over 20 years and completed many grant applications. She said she was surprised and honoured to recieve the AAAS award.
Innovation Award:
At the AAAS conventiion, the Rocky Mountain House Agricultural Society recieved an innovation award for their efforts making the Educational Agricultural Tour (EAT) s virutal experience during COVID-19. Cheryl Terpsma was credited for her work on the project.
Every year, the Rocky Mountain House Agricultural Society collaborates with Clearwater County to hold an agricultural tour where grade 4 students visit different farms in the community. Terpsma said it was important for the students to still be able to participate in the EAT program, even if it couldn't be in person.
"We didn't want to miss the opportunity to teach the kids about some of the different things that are produced, especially locally - from the food that they eat, to some of the items that they wear, to just how things work on the farm," Terpsma explained.
"Some of the kids don't get to spend much time on a farm or maybe never get to visit a farm. We thought it was important to still show them some of those things, because we think it's an important part of our community." To make sure this year's Grade 4 classes didn't miss out, Terpsma found a creative and interactive way to showcase each farm virtually while maintaining the educational spirit of the tour.
Participants that could submit content sent Terpsma either whole videos or clips. She then prepared the videos to be shared online and Clearwater County assisted in uploading the videos. Altogether there are 10 videos to watch at rockyagsociety.com/videos. They cover a range of topics including dairy, forages, 4-H, bees and horses.
Terpsma said the ag society is cautiously optimistic that they can have the EAT program in-person this year.
AG SOCIETY AWARDS
4 Feb 2022
Cheryl Terpsma Pictured with her EAT Tour recognition award.
AG SOCIETY AWARDS
4 Feb 2022
Ellen Bonde pictured recieving her well-deserved Honour Roll Award.
GUARDIANS OF THE GRASSLANDS
Fall 2021
This film explores the current state of one of the worlds most endangered ecosystems - the Great Plains grasslands - and the role that cattle play in its survival.
2021 BURSARY RECIPIENTS
Fall 2021
Congratulations to Will Bradford, Rayelle Cooper, and Hayley Dickson, and best wishes in their post secondary studies!