The Grand River Agricultural Society (GRAS) recently presented three cheques to bolster local community initiatives. The presentations took place at Grand River Raceway, which is owned and operated by GRAS.
On April 27, a donation of $2,000 was awarded to the Erin Agricultural Society (EAS) to build on and improve its equine tent at this year’s Erin Fair. According to the EAS, the donation has made improvements possible in many different ways, offering interesting and educational, horse-related demonstrations and activities all weekend long.
The large tent will be focusing on the 350th anniversary of the Canadian horse and horse-related education and awareness, welcoming visitors for three days of interaction and experimental learning.
This year’s fair takes place Oct. 7 to 10 at the Erin Fairgrounds.
On May 3, the Food Cycle Ride based in Fergus, was presented with a donation of $1,000. The funding supports the 2016 Food Cycle Ride, a fundraising event for the Centre Wellington Food Bank.
The Food Cycle Ride is a bicycle tour with a choice of country road or trail routes, attended by both local residents and visitors to the region.
Now in its sixth year, the Food Cycle Ride has raised a net of over $51,000 for the Centre Wellington Food Bank, including $14,600 last year.
On May 3, the Wellington County International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) was presented with a sponsorship for $10,000. The sponsorship proudly supports the 2016 IPM held and hosted in Minto, Sept. 20 to 24.
Hosted by the Ontario Plowmen’s Association, the prestigious event brings a “fresh taste of farming” and each year, over the five days, more than 75,000 people attend and participate.
GRAS is a not-for-profit corporation, incorporated under the Agricultural and Horticultural Societies Act of Ontario and governed by a volunteer board of directors reporting to OMAFRA.
The GRAS mandate is to encourage awareness of agriculture and promote improvements to the quality of life of those living in an agricultural community.
