United Nations General Assembly has declared 2016 as the “International Year of Pulses” and Ponoka Agricultural Society has taken note of that and decided to organize this year’s Home, Hobby and Horticultural show around that theme.
Pulses are dried legumes, which play a major role in nutrition of not only human beings, but also in the enrichment of the soil they grow in.
With a view to raising awareness on the benefits and use of pulses in addition to its overall mission “to promote, support and encourage agriculture opportunities in our urban and rural community”, the ag society is introducing a major change to its annual show this year: Entrance will be free to public viewing of the show through the August 19-21 weekend. But they will appreciate donations of non-perishable food items to go to Ponoka Food Bank.
Amanda Carleton, urban assistant taking the lead for publicity in this year’s event, said this year they would be particularly focusing on expanding the participation of youth in the fair and that the competition in junior garden division would have a special focus attached to it in this year’s show. However, entries for this category will have to be submitted earlier than other categories and judging will also be scheduled for earlier than the general competition divisions.
Carleton said they were inviting everybody interested to showcase their involvement with soil and nature, be it growing vegetables in their garden or flowers in pots. She said she would love to have the entries in the town’s “Pride in Your Property” competition showcased in their annual show as well.
Information on how to enter the competition in the dozens of categories, including new ones such as gluten-free baking, is available in a booklet, which is available for pickup at various businesses and locations in town, including UFA, Crawford Agencies, Ponoka News, and the Calnash Ag Events Centre.
For those who are willing to gather online information about the event, the recommended websites are: www.ponokaagsociety.ca, www.pinterest.com/ponoka3hshow/, www.facebook.com/Ponoka Ag Society.