The Drayton Farm Show has become a family tradition here and organizers believe that is because the two-day event remains authentic in its focus and commitment to being a true agricultural event.
?There are no Sham-Wows, no Kitchen Magicians, just farm stuff,? said Glenn Dobben, Farm Show chairman, who added they have turned down requests from exhibitors ?when they really didn?t get the concept of the Drayton Farm Show.?
The 2012 show hosted by the Drayton Kinsmen is April 4 to 5 at the PMD Arena in Drayton from 11am to 10pm.
Admission is $3 and $1 of every admission is designated to Cystic Fibrosis research as well as other projects run by organizers throughout the year.
Now in its 31st year, the event draws more than 2000 visitors in two days, from Wellington County and beyond to take part in the rural agribusiness showcase.
More than 130 exhibitors are participating featuring a wide-range of products and services, bringing innovation and technology to the industry.
?We currently have a waiting list of over 40 vendors that would like into our show but we try not to duplicate, which gives us a better variety of Agricultural exhibits,? Dobben explains.
?It helps a lot that several of the Drayton Kinsmen Club members are farmers or in the agriculture business.?
Keeping current with the industry is one of the features Dobben appreciates about the show?s growing list of exhibitors.
?Agriculture changes on a daily basis, with new technology, new equipment, better and faster ways that we could never have imagined just a few years ago,? Dobben said.
?Who knew that cows sleeping on beds would give you more milk and that a satellite would tell you where and when to plant, or that certain feeds allows you to get your hogs and chickens to market in record time enabling your farm to be more profitable??
The knowledge of exhibitors year after year impresses the show?s organizers, and that is another reason for the large attendance.
?We live in a world economy and technology that is out there today didn?t even exist one year ago. Our exhibitors and dealers have travelled the globe and are bringing what will work in rural Ontario back to feature at the show. Not surprisingly some things are made right here in Wellington County.?
That local community spirit is essential to the success of the event, and Dobben believes the impact on the economic development of the community is rooted in this belief of supporting local business.
?It was very important from the conception of the farm show 31 years ago that we highlight our local implement dealers and agriculture suppliers,? Dobben explained.
?As you can well imagine 31 years ago to travel to Kitchener or London was an all day adventure, so we wanted to show local farmers they could get a lot of what they required right here locally,? he said.
?As we grew, our dealers became more diverse. Farming also became more diverse and we constantly look for what local farmers are looking for and what would entice them to attend and get more information on.?
Part of the tradition of this show is the recognition of generations of farm families who have attended over the event?s history, knowing that the family farm is integral to their future.
?We have many families come out to the show and our dealers welcome them,? Dobben said. ?The family farm is still alive and well in our area and everyone in the family has a vested interest in its success. Many a young boy has sat on a new tractor at the Drayton farm show and thought, ?This is what I?m gonna get when I take over from dad.? Our exhibitors realize the importance of family.?
Perhaps that is because the show is run for the community by volunteers within the community, many of whom grew up on a farm in the county.
?Probably the biggest thing that is unique to our area is a community farm show where everyone that is involved is a volunteer. They recognize the need to give back to one?s community and do it very well,? Dobben said, noting the event is not just staffed by Kinsmen, but also local students and Rotary Club members who greet people at the doors, to the food booth run by parents supporting minor hockey.
?At any given time there could be 30 volunteers on hand to make it a success,? he said.
Dobben hopes non farmers will attend, too, noting there are displays, information booths and educational opportunities for everyone.
?The entire community gets together in the spring [for this event]. Sometimes this is the only time you may see an individual, for as soon as field work starts, farming becomes a 24/7 job. The Drayton Farm Show brings everyone together.?
