Planning a large-scale farm show during the pandemic is not for the faint of heart, but the organizers of Agri-Trade are getting geared up to return this November.
“You never know from one day to the next what we were facing for a while, but the (Alberta) government has laid it out pretty clear what we have to do to be able to go forward with an event,” said David Fiddler, the show manager with Agri-Trade.
The event was cancelled last year and in order to proceed this year, the organizers decided it would have to operate under Alberta’s Restrictions Exemption Program.
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That means proof of double-vaccination will be required for all attendees over the age of 12, or show proof of a negative COVID test acquired privately within 72 hours. (A rapid COVID test will be offered on site for both exhibitors and attendees at a cost of $40 per test.) Mandatory masks will be required throughout the show, except for in the dining areas or while consuming a beverage.
These hurdles haven’t stopped most exhibitors from participating in this year’s event at Westerner Park in Red Deer from Nov. 10-12, said Fiddler
“It’s become, ‘If we want to do business, this is how we have to go forward,’” he said. “Most (exhibitors) are very accepting of it.”
Visiting with other farmers and exhibitors will still be encouraged at the show.
“Because of the requirements for vaccinations or negative test, social distancing is not required,” Fiddler said.
Event staff have been in touch with local farmers, both in person and through social media, to gather their views, and the event also has a farmer advisory committee.
“Our research (found) farmers and people who come to the show to shop are looking forward to an in-person event (and) looking forward to getting some business done.”
Count central Alberta producer John Kowalchuk among that group even though, he said, COVID “numbers are super high right now.”
“I am a little leery of it, but I am fully vaccinated, and I have no issue showing my vaccine card and wearing my mask,” he said. “I’m willing to follow all these rules so we can continue to do business.”
Kowalchuk said when he attended the “Thanks for Farming Tour” that was held last year around the same time as Agri-Trade, protocols were in place and he felt safe.
It’s better to have events with protocols in place than no in-person events at all, he added.
“I would much rather see it go on with things in place to keep everyone safe than cancelling,” he said. “What I’m worried about is folks not wanting to show vaccine cards or get a test to attend. I’m hoping that doesn’t happen. I want to show my support by showing up.”
Although the pandemic stopped farm shows and events from taking place over the past year and a half, it certainly hasn’t stopped agriculture technology from advancing.
Fiddler said this year’s edition of Agri-Trade will feature a lot of new innovations, especially those from the top five Ag Innovation finalists. Participants can watch them make their “Dragons’ Den”-style pitches before a set of judges on Thursday afternoon (Nov. 11) on the show floor.
“The number of new innovations and changes to the industry that our exhibitors bring every year, there’s always something new,” Fiddler said.
There will also be new exhibitors this year.
“One thing the pandemic has done is cause companies to adjust how they market. Some of our exhibitors have downsized their booths, which has allowed us to go to the waiting list and let in some new companies.”
More dining space has also been created on the show floor to address complaints in past years about a shortage of seating.
This year’s Agri-Trade has a focus on youth. It provides $22,500 for bursaries to students studying agriculture at Lakeland, Olds, and Red Deer colleges, and 4-H members get in free (if they present a valid 4-H membership card).
“We encourage youth, even urban youth, to come out and see the opportunities that employment in agriculture can provide,” said Fiddler.
And although it’s been two years since the last Agri-Trade, attending the event should be a comfortable experience, he added.
“This (the pandemic) is not new, and COVID-19 is not new. I think people have learned to adapt and do business with it. A trip to Agri-Trade is no different than a trip to Costco or Canadian Tire. It’s a shopping experience.”
Tickets are available online (at www.agri-trade.com). Tickets can be purchased at the gate but pre-purchasing will help speed things up, he said.
