37th year of Aggie Days brings together three generations of volunteers to educate urban families about life on the farm

Aggie Days is the Calgary Stampede’s largest event outside of The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. During Aggie School Days, April 10-12, nearly ten thousand students will learn about agriculture. On the weekend, April 13-14, the doors open to the public to give Calgarians the unique opportunity to experience and learn about agriculture up close — without leaving the city limits.

While Aggie Days is a family-friendly event with free admission, it has taken on a different meaning for its exhibitors, many of whom have been in attendance since the very beginning, and now have the help of their children and grandchildren.

“Aggie Days is a family affair, for both the visitors and the volunteers,” says Debbie Lee, who co-leads the dairy exhibit at Aggie Days alongside her daughter, Danielle Lee. “My dad helped organize the very first Aggie Days event and then we just participated every year. Then my kids grew up being part of it, so for us it’s what we do. It’s part of our life – for almost 40 years.”

Thanks to Debbie’s cow milking demonstrations – where you can watch how she milks a live Holstein cow before trying the technique for yourself on a plastic cow – countless youth have learned about the dairy farming industry and how milk makes its way from the farm to their kitchen table. Over the years this has led to many attendees returning to Aggie Days so they can introduce their children to the woman they still remember as the “cow-milking lady”.

Danielle was just one year old when she first started accompanying her mother to Aggie Days, so she knows first-hand the importance of exposing the next generation of urban children to a taste of life on the farm. She got to share her passion for agriculture with students, who were often her own age — an experience her own daughter will soon have.

“This year will be extra special for us because my daughter, Eleanor, who I was still pregnant with during last year's Aggie Days, will be helping us set up and sharing her love for animals with the other children,” says Danielle. “With Calgary being a large city that is far removed from the world of agriculture and farming, a lot of people, especially kids, have never been up close to farm animals or talked to a farmer, and Aggie Days provides that opportunity.”

Leila Cranswick and her daughter, Kathleen Cranswick-Arkes, are another mother-daughter duo who have co-led the goat demonstration together at Aggie Days for decades. While Leila has volunteered at the event for more than three decades, she has enjoyed watching Kathleen, who joined as volunteer when she was just nine years old, take on a bigger role over the years.

“You realize as time goes on that you’re sort of stepping more in the background and letting your mature, adult child now take over, but you're still putting in your two cents worth,” laughs Leila. “It’s wonderful that we’ve been able to do this together as a mum and daughter, and of course, Kathleen now has three boys of her own, so it’s very much something we do as a family.”

With the oldest of her three sons, Joseph, 10, approaching the age when he will start participating in the event, there is no doubt he will learn a lot from Kathleen, who believes strongly that everyone can benefit from attending Aggie Days.

“As much as you can look at animals on a computer screen, it doesn’t compare to being able to see them in person, and for some people Aggie Days is their only chance to do that” says Kathleen. “With the cost of things rising it’s really nice that it’s also a free that anyone of any age can attend.”

Celebrating its 37th year, Aggie Days focuses on educating youth about all facets of the agricultural industry. From learning about how fruits and vegetables are grown from the farmers who grow them, to rope making, and meeting animals big and small, this family-friendly event offers something for everyone.

Aggie Days is open to the public April 13 -14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with special events in the Agriculture Building each day. Bring the entire family, free of charge, to explore the Agriculture Barn and Nutrien Western Event Centre at Stampede Park. Guests are invited to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Calgary Food Bank.

About the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together, we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and celebrates our western heritage, cultures and community spirit. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.

For more information, please contact:
Lauryn MacDonald
Communications Advisor
T 403.463.5986
E lauryn.macdonald@calgarystampede.com