By Curtis Galbraith

City dwellers being asked to say thank you to people in agriculture on Farmer’s Day

Jun 10, 2022 | 4:00 PM

June 10 marks Farmer’s Day in Alberta.

United Farmers of Alberta (UFA) president and CEO Scott Bolton said after a drought, high input costs, and the late spring, it is more important than ever to celebrate farmers.

“The circumstances of just getting a crop in the ground (and) the cost of probably the most expensive crop year ever, I think it only reinforces the importance of this day.”

“On top of that, what’s going on in the world and the concern with food security and I think it’s really reminded us, as did the pandemic, about the importance of farming.”

Bolton said he is encouraging urban dwellers to reach out to people in the farming community to say thank you.

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“If you can’t do that, there are other ways. I would participate in a farmers market or some way to shop local to support our farmers.”

“You can do it through social media. We have #farmersday and the tags at UFA Co-Operative to take another example.”

Alberta landmarks like the Calgary Tower, Lethbridge City Hall, and Edmonton’s High Level Bridge will be lit up in green and orange to mark the occasion. Bolton said it makes him proud to see this and is hoping farmers and ranchers feel the same way.

“It’s not just the farming community that’s celebrating. This has become significant for all levels of government whether it’s proclamations of various mayors (or) lighting up the Calgary Tower (and) the High Level Bridge.”

“(There is) lots going on all levels to celebrate a very important day.”

Bolton added he hopes seeing this lighting acts as a bridge between urban and rural people, adding more bridges need to be built between urban and rural communities.

Farmer’s Day started in 1945 and was, at one point, a statutory holiday.