Ag Day at Stayner Collegiate (SCI) was billed as a chance for local vendors to connect with students and highlight opportunities within the farm sector. Student council president Natalie Graham says Ag Day is an annual event, but this year’s version was much bigger and better.

“In past years, we’ve had three or four vendors. This year we have 15,” said Graham. “They are here to talk to students about co-op placements and opportunities once they graduate.”

SCI also does “trade days” to promote careers in construction and environmental fields according to Graham, but Ag Day is by far the biggest, in recognition of the huge importance of agriculture to the economy of this area.

The entire student body of approximately 325 students from Grades 7-12 attended the event, and students from neighbouring schools were also invited. Graham says members of student council and 25 students in the leadership course have been working on the project since mid- September.

“We’re a small school, but the student body is very involved. The biggest challenge is getting vendors to commit in the middle of harvest season.”

Exhibitors included farm equipment manufacturers, production agriculture operations, an apiary and a petting zoo with goats, guinea pigs and a camel.

“It’s a chance for students to talk to people working in the industry about their daily routines,” says Graham, “ and be exposed to a range of activities they might not have imagined.”

Graham says the equipment manufacturers are always a crowd favourite, but many students have identified coop opportunities through Ag Day and gone on to pursue apprenticeships.

Taylor Legge, of Holmes Agro says coop placements can be a real eye-opener for anyone considering a career in agriculture.

“We’re helping students understand there are lots of careers beyond production farming, There is a lot more science and stewardship involved than people are aware of and we’re always on the lookout for young people who want to be involved.”

Jenna McCannell did a co-op placement at Dunlogan Farms while she was a student, and returned to Ag Day to share her experience.

“My placement at Dunlogan was an amazing experience. For someone who came from a smaller production farm to see an operation where they farm 13,500 acres really made me aware of the range of jobs available.”

McCannell is currently enrolled in the business agriculture program at Georgian College and plans to work in the industry, either locally or in western Canada.