This is the official members' website for the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies.  The OAAS is the provincial association representing over 210 Agricultural Societies from across the province.  Its mission is "The OAAS provides leadership, guidance, education, and resources for its member Agricultural Societies".

To: OAAS Membership,

Following our very successful Convention, we had no thoughts of the events that have unfolded.  We live in extraordinary times!  As we listen to the news of the COVID-19 crisis, we realize how our lives and activities are changing by the hour.  We all are listening to the medical experts and are now practising social distancing but we all come from a background of creating an environment where we encourage the congregation of people to participate in shared experiences.

At this time we must take our direction from the medical professionals.

The OAAS feels it needs to keep you informed as to the changes that we have been implementing over the last few weeks.  The Board would normally meet in person in early April to identify its priorities from the strategic plan and goals for its committees.  All of this will be completed by videoconferencing.  Directors would normally pick up all the promotional and fair materials for distribution to the Societies at that meeting.  All materials will be mailed to each individual Society in April now.

Several Districts have already postponed their Spring District Meetings and Judging Schools.  Some Districts might try to hold their Spring Meeting electronically just to keep the communications open.  Keep listening to see what your District's plans are.

Already you have been informed that the deadlines for keeping your judge's certification current has been extended.  The Board felt it would be a challenge to ensure all the judging schools took place when we live in such changeable times.

Agricultural Societies are already in the midst of making decisions on having their annual fairs.  In the process of your deliberations, do look at alternatives –could the dates be changed, could portions of the fair be split and done at different times in the year, could the focus be on only one part of the fair?  This is the time to possibly be innovative.  Do check your insurance coverage for any changes and do check with cancellation policies for the contracts you have signed or will sign.

The one thing we can be assured of is that nothing will be normal.  Each of us can help others in our Society or neighbouring Societies.  It is a time to stick together because we will get through this.  Fairs are that one thing that builds community, let's prove they can also build a positive spirit. 

Support one another and stay healthy.

Sincerely,

OAAS

"Teamwork makes a Society Strong"

 

The situation around the COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues to evolve, and the World Health Organization has now declared the outbreak a pandemic.  The Ontario Government has declared an emergency and the Federal Government has brought in strict guidelines to help contain the spread of COVID-19. We urge you to follow their directives regarding your activities. 

First and foremost, ensure the information you are receiving is credible. Credible resources include the World Health Organization (WHO), Health Canada and your own provincial health departments (links below).

Health Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

World Health Organization (WHO)
https://www.who.int/

Ontario Ministry of Health
https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus?_ga=2.266475530.529526911.1584127258-1150749849.1579808350

Government of Ontario 

https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/03/ontario-enacts-declaration-of-emergency-to-protect-the-public.html

For more information

https://www.canadianfairs.ca/covid-19

Contact your insurance company to understand the implications for cancelling any events you may have. As pertinent news and information updates, especially applicable to fairs, exhibitions and events, become available, we will keep you updated.

If you have any concerns or need help, do not hesitate to reach out.

 

The 174th Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) Annual Convention was held from February 13th  to 15th  in Richmond Hill.  Over 1100 people attended this event.  Young ambassadors, representing fairs across the province, also gathered to build their leadership skills as well as learning of careers in agriculture.

The OAAS Convention organized a special session on governance to meet a growing demand from their membership. Presenters Cathy Redden, Shawn LaPalm, and Tim Carson (from the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies) spoke on the basics, best practices and the roles and responsibilities as Board Members.

Seminars and panel discussions continued over two days.  Over 40 sessions covered topics such as attracting youth to the Board level, being better at meeting with your local politicians, getting your message out into the community and current regulations such as livestock traceability.  At the same time people could view provincial competition winners in posters, quilts, cookies, tarts, and photography.  Entertainment showcases were held every night as well as a busy auction which saw a John Deere pedal steel tractor donated by Huron Tractor in Exeter sell for $825.  There was a heavy competition to see if it could surpass the winning bid on a New Holland tractor,  which it did.

Farmer Tim May and incoming President Brian Slaughter 350Left Farmer Tim May and incoming President Brian Slaughter 350The opening speaker, Farmer Tim (Tim May), addressed a crowd of over 600 on his journey to agvocacy.  He is a dairy farmer near Guelph who has just under 60 000 followers on Facebook.  He shares stories and pictures of the everyday  activities of his family and their animals on their farm and takes a lot of time answering questions and explaining farming practices to his many followers on his Facebook page.  His humor and pictures illustrate the love farmers have for their animals and how they treat them with respect.  Many of his online followers in the audience waited patiently following his message to get their pictures with him.

The Convention closed with the Annual General Meeting.  The Convention Administrator, Kathryn Lambert, and Manager, Vince Brennan, spoke to the delegates about what they have done during the past year.  Outgoing President Doug Yeo from near Bayfield spoke on the things he learned during his year as President  He stressed that Ag Societies need to dream big, that fairs are thriving throughout Ontario and that the Ag Societies need to tell their stories.  The OAAS presented Helen Scutt, a recently retired OMAFRA specialist, with its highest honour – the Meritorious Award during the meeting.  Helen formerly worked with Agricultural Societies assisting with their  needs and questions about  government regulations and programs and was a yearly presenter at the Convention.  She was extremely well respected by the membership and proof of that was receiving two standing ovations during the presentation.  The closing speaker, Jen Puente from the Wisconsin State Fair, stressed the need to drop being around negativity and remember to do the things that actually make you positive.  At one point some in the crowd proved they could make the situations as positive as she could.  The room was filled with smiles and laughter and the challenge was to do that every day.  The incoming President Brian Slaughter from near Forest announced that the OAAS would be celebrating their  175th Anniversary  next year and invited everyone back.

The OAAS is very grateful to their many sponsors that make it possible for us to continue to provide the many programs and services for our member Agricultural Societies.

The OAAS is the umbrella organization representing over 200 Agricultural Societies in Ontario.  These Agricultural Societies organize and manager fairs in many communities ranging in size from small one day events to large multi-day events. The OAAS provides guidance, education and programs to assist the Agricultural Societies host their fairs and promote agriculture and a rural way of life in Ontario. 

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