Photo Karen Graham.
Competitors waiting their turn to perform in the ring. Competitions involving animals are a significant part of the history of agricultural fairs, but new traditions showcasing the power of machines are drawing crowds to watch matches where machines and their operators entertain.
Millbrook Agricultural Society consists of a group of local volunteers who promote the rural lifestyle, reminding the community that life on the farm is a combination of hard work and (usually pretty loud) fun.
Agricultural societies have been part of the rural landscape since 1812, when the St. Lawrence Valley Agricultural Society was formed. Our local agricultural society began in 1849. The mission of these associations was to improve agricultural practices and promote the rural lifestyle- a goal that continues today.
The main project for these organizations, both then and now, is operating a local agricultural fair each year. In the early days, these were much-anticipated social occasions for all family members. The events and exhibits at these shows reflected cultural values and beliefs of the time, often reinforcing gender roles and hierarchical structures. They were also sources of education, providing the opportunity to showcase local talent and share agricultural knowledge and skills, from new animal husbandry methods and improved crop techniques, to proficiency and artistry in domestic skills such as food preparation and handicrafts. Competitions featured prizes for livestock, field crops and essays on progressive methods of clearing land, crop rotation, fertilization and general cultivation, implement classes were provided to demonstrate the use of tools that could improve crop production. Organizers believed that competition fostered improvement in rural life
The first provincial agricultural fair in 1846 incorporated home manufacturing, dairy, fruit and vegetables, all considered the woman’s domain. Educational exhibits promoting modern scientific principles of healthy diets and food safety and showcasing clever handiwork inspired women to take pride in their domestic work. Participants took great satisfaction in their exhibits, establishing reputations for talents they displayed.
Modern fairs still include livestock competitions, and those that occur later in the growing season also showcase crops. In 1942 the Millbrook Fair date was moved from the fall to the second week of June, limiting the opportunity to show agricultural produce. The only crop that might be ready to show would be hay, and that time of year farmers are focused on harvesting, not showing. The number of animal shows has dwindled over the past few years. In the 1990s, there were 12 horse show classes but these days there are only two horse events. Cattle shows have also declined, partly because of the regulations and expense of bringing animals to events and also because of the dwindling number of farms producing livestock.
Technical knowledge is no longer part of the annual fair, as information about breeding techniques and scientific crop management skills is available year-round through farm associations, government agencies and a variety of farm-based periodicals. Education is still one of the key objectives of agricultural fairs, but these days the target is the general population.
How do the relatively newer events such as the demolition derbies, truck and tractor pulls and the midway fit which are clearly designed to entertain fit with this goal? Millbrook Agricultural President Debra Post explains that before you can educate people, you have to get them to come. The crowds during the evening vehicle contests proves that these events are bringing a new audience to the fair.
The educational events are focused on children. The fair always kicks off with Children’s Day, with demonstrations, displays and a petting zoo. Youngsters also compete in the Homecraft competition, submitting art, baking, photography and handicrafts.
Debra has been involved in agricultural fairs since the age of 9 when she assisted in the Peterborough association, but joined Millbrook a few years ago. It is a family affair, as daughters Kasandra and Shyana have both been Fair Ambassadors in the past. Debra also helps Earl Cochrane as he travels fairs across the province providing wagon rides pulled by his heavy horses.
Beyond the annual fairs, Millbrook Agricultural Society volunteers are members of the provincial association of Agricultural Societies that just celebrated their 175th year. This organization lobbies government on behalf of the farm community for food safety programs such as livestock identification and traceability programs, municipal land tax breaks, water protection and animal welfare, seeking paths to educate the public on modern farm practices.
The agricultural societies also encourage youth education by recruiting youth directors for their boards and delivering educational programs through Youth Ambassadors. A Youth Involvement Handbook was developed by the provincial association last year with suggestions about how to engage youth in agricultural societies today.
Next June when you’re strolling through the fairgrounds at the 2023 Millbrook Fair, take a good look around. Take time to appreciate the amount of work it takes to deliver that four day event, from grounds preparation, portable toilet deliveries, competition judge recruitment, grandstand installation and vendor contract negotiations. The 2023 Fair will become the 172nd such event, each one delivered by a group of volunteers giving their time and talent to promote the rural way of life: one that is dominated by physical, outdoor work, a reliance on the land and a focus on the household as an economic unit. The good old days? Maybe…. KG
