Around 600 students assembled at the Humboldt Uniplex on Tuesday, June 10 for Horizon School Division’s first Student Agriculture Day. The idea was to connect students to the world of modern agriculture, with a focus on Indigenous ways of knowing and the critical importance of agriculture and all its branches to the well-being of the province and the world. Grade 10 students from every Horizon Division high school made the journey to participate in this one-of-a-kind event.
The Uniplex and its grounds were divided into appropriately themed zones like the barn, the granary, the farm house and the harvest lot. Groups of students cycled through the areas, meeting with ag experts who took them through various components of crop science, animal science, agribusiness and economics, and of course technology.
Students had plenty of chances to interact with presenters and displayers. Local and national agricultural businesses, services and enterprises awaited questions. From veterinarians to egg producers, crop insurance agencies to geo mappers, a couple dozen agencies were represented and armed with information.
In the opening assembly, Director of Education for the Horizon School Division Kevin Garinger brought greetings and thanks all those responsible for bringing the day together, from the bus drivers to the educational staff working with students and all those who helped organize and coordinate the day’s activities.
"We are proud to create opportunities where students can connect classroom learning with real-world experiences,” said Garinger, Director of Education for Horizon School Division. “Thanks to industry support, these events empower our students to think about their futures, build career awareness, and develop a stronger understanding of the land and communities they call home.”
Garinger addressed the students about the importance agriculture plays in the province’s economic strength, but also in the potential for young people to engage in learning about food production and land stewardship, along with the potential of their finding an empowering career. He talked about the particular importance of agricultural manufacturing activities in the region.
“You may have heard of the Iron Triangle of Saskatchewan, a term that doesn’t appear on any map, but captures the strength of this region,” explained Garinger. “The Iron Triangle is a relatively small is a relatively small region within the borders of the Horizon School Division, and it is a vibrant manufacturing hub where over 30 manufacturing firms specialize primarily in ag related products. These businesses support approximately 2000 jobs in our area, and heavily contribute to Saskatchewan’s gross domestic product, exporting about $835 million per in year in agricultural equipment alone.”
Also on hand with greetings was Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison. Harrison is the MLA for Cannington and is a long-time rancher near Alida, Saskatchewan. Harrison reflected on his own connection to agriculture and how the various industries not only contribute to Saskatchewan’s economy, but how they build communities. He said Saskatchewan is a province of incredible strength and resilience, and much of that is born out of successful rural communities which are rooted in agriculture. As a former RM councillor, Director of Zone 1 of the Saskatchewan Stock Grower’s Association, a member of the Lions Club, and a volunteer firefighter, Harrison’s long involvement in his area shows the contributions that many rural residents make to those evolving rural towns and villages. He praised the efforts of the Horizon Division for its leadership in making agriculture a forefront by integrating days like the Student Agriculture Day into the curriculum.
Always mindful of the importance of Indigenous people and their knowledge in the fabric of the province, the morning’s keynote speaker was former Chief of Cowessess First Nation Cadmus Delorme, whose powerful presentation brought an enthusiastic response from students and teachers alike. Keep your eye on Discover Humboldt for an in depth look at Cadmus Delorme’s talk and a subsequent interview.
From the assembly, students dispersed in groups to participate in the remainder of the day's busy events.
Grade 11 students from the Horizon School Division will participate in Student Mining Day on Wednesday, June 11 where they will learn about the mining industry not only in the region, but throughout the province. Stay tuned for an updated report.