LAC LA BICHE - For agricultural producers across Lac La Biche County, this Wednesday an event recognizing the contributions they make to support the community around them will be celebrated. The event, hosted by the county, the Ag Service Board(ASB) and Portage College, will not only commemorate producers in the community but create an opportunity for them to socialize and step back from their duties for a moment, said Molly Fyten, the County’s environmental services manager, and organizer of the event.
"It is a local event that honours agricultural producers in the County. Farming is a very busy and sometimes stressful operation that leaves the County’s hard-working agricultural producers with little socialization time. An event of this nature attempts to reduce the stress levels that agricultural producers face. It is a day of fun, learning and socialization.”
This year's event is expected to draw as many as 300 agricultural producers and guests to a special evening at the Bold Center filled with food, drinks and live entertainment by comedian Danny Hopper at the Bold Center.
Giving back
The event is also a fundraiser for a world event and one much closer to home. Fyten said funds will be raised through an auction and $20 ticket sales to help humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and also for the family of a local boy struggling with a rare form of leukemia.
“The Ukraine situation is near and dear to many hearts of residents in the community, especially given the cultural background of a significant population that our County has. It is a very serious issue on a global scale and the Agricultural Service Board (ASB) has decided to help out this cause,” said Fyten, adding that the second fundraiser will help a county employee’s family cope with a life-altering health challenge.
The County’s Agricultural Fieldman, Jacob Marfo’s two-year-old son was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Acute Myelogenous Leukaemia. Marfo’s son has been battling the disease since he was six months old and has been hospital bound for more than a year across medical facilities in Alberta. With the support from the auction, organizers are hoping to make the Marfo’s family challenges a little easier during this difficult time, said Fyten.
Agricultural challenges
The appreciation night is billed as a community social event, that will also be a good opportunity for others to learn about the importance of their agricultural sector in the community, Fyten said.
With the rising cost of fertilizer, livestock feed, pesticides, and the environmental challenges over the years affecting livelihoods within the industry, organizers hope the appreciation event will not only raise awareness on the impacts it can have on their mental health, but highlight how important celebrating an industry that is vital to our communities is, she said.
“The event is to tell producers that despite all the challenges they are facing, we are here for them and that a day of quality socialization and entertainment may go a long way to improve mental health,” said Fyten.
Get involved
Working alongside Portage College to host the event is a great way to showcase not only the services provided by the County and ASB to support the industry and the impacts on mental health, but also to highlight agricultural programs available at the post secondary level, said Fyten.
“The College is a significant asset and focal point of our community, so a partnership for such a large event is a great way to work together and help appreciate the agricultural industry which forms such a large part of our County. It’s also an opportunity to showcase all of the excellent programs and services that both parties provide to the community,” she said.
As last-minute preparations for Wednesday's sold out event are taking place, Fyten says they look forward to highlighting agricultural producers and providing a fun night of entertainment.
