CARSTAIRS - The fourth-annual Aggie Days Mountain View agricultural exhibition highlighted the vital importance of year-round farm safety for visitors and residents of all ages, say officials.
Held in and around the Carstairs Curling Club on May 23 and 24, Aggie Days is hosted by the agricultural societies of Carstairs, Cremona and Didsbury, with support from Mountain View County and others.
As in past years, the two-day event started with school student visits on Friday and the general public on Saturday. Those in attendance this year included Premier Danielle Smith and Mountain View County (MVC) and area elected town officials.
Hundreds of students from across the region attended Friday’s events; many more area residents and visitors attended events on Saturday.
Grade 5 student Jorgia said learning about farm safety was a highlight of Aggie Days for her.
“It’s important to be safe around farm equipment,” she said. “We are learning all about that.”
Fellow student Layne added, “It’s fun to learn about all the machines on a farm and things about agriculture.”
Organizations at this year’s event included Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society, Alberta Beef Producers, Alberta Chicken, Alberta Lamb Producers, Alberta Milk, Carstairs Heritage Centre, Central Alberta Forage and Livestock Association, Cultivate Cochrane, Custom Wooden Mills, Egg Farmers of Alberta, Foothills Forage and Grazing Association, Iron Clover Forage and Fabrication.
Others represented included Mountain View County, the Town of Carstairs, Lakeland College, Olds College of Agriculture and Technology, PAMZ, Red Deer River Watershed, Stockmen’s Memorial Foundation, Pioneer Acres of Alberta, Mountain View BearSmart Society, West Carstairs 4-H Club and Carstairs Fire Department.
Many of the displays featured tips and demonstrations on how to be safe around farm animals and farm machinery.
Mountain View County Coun. Greg Harris said promoting farm safety and awareness of agriculture practices are big and important parts of Aggie Days.
“We really have an emphasis on farm safety,” said Harris. “We always have to be cognizant of trying to reduce farm injuries and even deaths on farms. It can be very dangerous. The ability to engage and education the kids and to make them aware of the dangers, it’s just an all around win-win.”
The farm safety message is equally important for kids and adults, whether they are working and living on farms or just visiting, he said.
MVC deputy reeve Dwayne Fulton commended the work and effort of the local ag society volunteers for making Aggie Days Mountain View a success again in 2025.
“It’s an excellent event and if it wasn’t for the ag societies this function wouldn’t be as well organized and as well run as it is,” said Fulton.
Numerous local and area businesses also contributed to this year's Aggie Days Mountain View.
