Prince Albert Farm Fair returns for 21st year

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Prince Albert will once again be the site for meeting neighbours, getting up-to-date on new technology, and placing orders for the new season.

The Prince Albert Farm Fair returns for its 21st year at the Prince Albert Exhibition on March 21 and 22.

The annual farm trade show is a joint project of the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce and the Prince Albert Exhibition Association.

“We try to pick a time when farmers are thinking about what to do for the next growing season, or livestock producers are making their plans for the spring season prior to calving,” said organizing committee member Roger Swanson of the March timing for the event.

The fair includes an indoor trade show, outdoor equipment displays, educational seminars and direct sales of everything from seed to cattle feeders.

“We’ve had as many as 100 exhibits, so it’s absolutely crammed full in the hall,” said Swanson.

“It’s a one-stop event where farmers can view the displays, discuss things like what to seed, and hear about the latest technologies.”

A sample list of exhibitors includes companies like Monsanto, Bayer, Dow and Syngenta, as well as seed suppliers, machinery parts and service operators, and suppliers of livestock management products.

“The exhibitor companies are given space at the show to put on private seminars for their customers, so that attendees can hear about their products in a separate session without leaving the site,” said Swanson.

Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food will also be on site with a variety of educational resources. The department’s annual “Crop Talk” session, presenting a number of speakers on issues of interest to producers, will be held on March 22.

In addition, there will be information on areas such as new course offerings at regional colleges and environmental planning initiatives.

Swanson says the fair provides an excellent networking opportunity. “It’s business plus social. A lot of farmers come to talk to the exhibitors, and to talk to each other,” he noted.

“It is the time where they have to make the decisions about what to plant, so the timing is good for the upcoming crop year.”

As many as 3,000 people are expected to attend the two-day show. The entry fee is just $2 per day.

Swanson says the fair is a great example of the Prince Albert Exhibition’s mission to be a facility “where town and country meet,” and of the regional nature of the Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce.

He says there is no question that the city also experiences a direct benefit from the event. “You better believe it. People are going to eat at our restaurants, fill up with gas, and shop in our stores.”

Additional information on the Prince Albert Farm Fair is available at www.pachamber.ca, or by calling the Chamber at (306) 764-2222.

For more information, contact:
Roger Swanson, Organizing Committee
Prince Albert Farm Fair
Phone: (306) 960-5299