ROSTHERN — The Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions was created in 1987 and, while not active in political issues, is an advocate for better living conditions in rural Saskatchewan for both farm and non-farm families. The volunteer-based Rosthern Ag Society (RAS) works towards the betterment of rural life for everyone by delivering programs and events, seminars and workshops and supporting businesses and community groups. This October, RAS has announced that it is hosting two such events. The first is a You Make THE Difference workshop.
The You Make THE Difference National Initiative specializes in providing new resources, tools and opportunities for fairs, exhibitions and agricultural societies to host a workshop that shares practical strategies for volunteer recruitment, governance, fundraising, sponsorship and programming that they can put to work immediately. While the program’s focus is agricultural societies and fairs, it is also beneficial to other community groups and will provide community organizations an opportunity to network, share challenges and learn how to work through those challenges.
The first of a seven-day Saskatchewan workshop tour is in Swift Current on Monday, Sept. 28, followed by Weyburn, then Delisle, before coming to Rosthern on Thursday, Oct. 1 at the Multi-purpose Centre from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Founder Ian Hill says he believes the local fair or exhibition is a cornerstone of Canadian life; an essential thread in the fabric of communities. Not just a relic or tradition of the past, but a foundation for the future. From coast to coast, in small towns and rural communities across Canada, the traditions that bring people together are under pressure, the website reads. Leaders are aging. Volunteers are harder to come by. The importance of connection, celebration and community spirit is increasingly recognized in today’s society.
Hill sees fairs as a vital piece of civic infrastructure that brings people together in a celebration of rural life and as community-building institutions for the future, which spark pride in place. He states, “I launched the You Make THE Difference national initiative because I believe in rural Canada. …fairs are more than events—they’re a reflection of our identity, our history and our values.”
Registration information can be found on the Rosthern Ag Society’s Facebook page.
The second event will occur on Saturday, October 24. Meaningful mental health conversations can start anywhere, and for the past three years, the day preceding the annual KCRA Rodeo has shone a light on mental health through the Josh Lehman Memorial Roping event.
On the 24th, the Rosthern Ag Society will host a free mental health workshop, Talk Ask Listen. The interactive session is designed to build practical skills, encourage meaningful conversations and strengthen peer connections in communities. It is the flagship workshop of The Do More Agriculture Foundation, aimed at equipping individuals in the agriculture sector with skills to address mental health issues. The program is designed for producers, farm families, agricultural industry professionals and organizations involved in agriculture. It is delivered by facilitators with varied experience in agriculture, rural communities, mental health, clinical practice and peer support. The blend of professional expertise, personal experiences and community insight helps ensure that discussions are rooted in the realities of agricultural life. This approach offers practical and informed strategies for addressing mental health challenges, especially amongst the agricultural community.
Participants in the workshop will learn to recognize signs of mental health struggles in others. The session will cover techniques for initiating and engaging in supportive conversations about mental health, emphasizing effective listening and responding without attempting to solve problems. Additionally, attendees will discover how to connect individuals with appropriate resources and contribute to fostering a culture that encourages open discussions about mental health and the importance of seeking help.
The workshop is open to anyone 16-years-of-age or older and is presented by The Do More Agriculture Foundation. More information will be coming on the Rosthern Ag Society’s Facebook page.
