Volunteer gleaners in cooperation with donor farmers have collected a variety of fresh vegetables to help food banks and soup kitchens in Chatham-Kent. (Photo by Simon Crouch)
Volunteer gleaners in cooperation with donor farmers have collected a variety of fresh vegetables to help food banks and soup kitchens in Chatham-Kent. (Photo by Simon Crouch)
Chatham

Ag Day Puts Farmers In The Spotlight

Today is Canada's Agriculture Day.

And it has never been more important than it is right now, to highlight the importance of the industry in Chatham-Kent.

That's according to the municipality's Agricultural Specialist Kim Cooper who says the number of farmers may be declining, but the industry's impact locally continues to grow.

"Automotive used to be [the largest economic driver] but when we had the downturn in 2008, agriculture came on," says Cooper. "It always was automotive then agriculture, but since 2008, agriculture has been the largest economic driver in Chatham-Kent."

Cooper says while Chatham-Kent is already known for producing crops like tomatoes and corn, it's also branching out into other areas.

"We grow around 70 different crops here," says Cooper. "A lot of vegetable crops like celery, okra, ginger -- and we've been asked to try growing some rice here."

Cooper says the local agricultural sector is also expected to be on full display when the International Plowing Match comes to Chatham-Kent in 2018.

Agriculture workers and enthusiasts across the country are encouraged to share how they're celebrating Canada's Agriculture Day by using #CdnAgDay on social media.

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