Valley Agricultural Society
Community Engagement Report
March 25, 2015
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Morris, like every other community boasts a unique combination of assets upon
which to build its future. The raw material for community-building is the capacity
and gifts of its individual members.
The Valley Agricultural Society, acting as the connecter, recognize the importance
of identifying these individual capacities for the purpose of growing and
developing the Agricultural Society and the community and surrounding areas of
Morris. The Agricultural Society does not exist in isolation of the community and
vice versa. To grow and develop, the Ag Society and the community must plan
and work together.
A Community Engagement was held on March 25, 2015 with a total of 80 people
attending. Considerable work was done by the organizing committee, previous
to the event, to develop a social map and identify people with a passion for their
community and who hold a piece of the puzzle. Public invitations were inserted
into the local newspaper, as well as personal invitations were initiated to a broad
swath of the community and surrounding area.
The Valley Ag Society recognizes that to bring citizens together to collaborate and
explore a desired future for their Ag Society and their community they must first
and foremost create an environment where meaningful conversations are held
amongst the community. When people are focused and take the time to really
listen, they can learn from each other and be inspired.
The evening prior to the event Manitoba was hit by a winter storm. The morning
of the 25th schools and roads were closed and there was a great deal of discussion
about rescheduling the event. When a community feels so strongly about the
success of the Ag Society and its importance to the community, icy roads and
stormy weather were not going to keep them away. They came in droves and
they participated. It is proven that when people are able to combine their
dreams and coordinate their efforts with other members of the community, the
entire community can be strengthened from the energies that are released.
There was a mood within the room that people wanted to participate, wanted to
be part of the future of the Ag Society, and wanted to connect the Ag Society with
the community for a desired future for all.
People were led through a number of focused discussions throughout the
evening. The first discussion helped to set the tone for the evening and the
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groups were very articulate in stating their desire to learn more about the Ag
Society and its’ role within the community. Statements included the importance
of seeing the Ag Society grow because the success of this organization has an
impact on the success of the community. Other comments included the desire for
community inclusion, cooperation, and transparency.
When people were asked to identify future possibilities for the community and
the Ag Society, they became very engaged and animated. A number of ideas
came forth and these were categorized by the group into the following seven key
categories:
Infrastructure – A
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Proper landscaped, paved and well drained grounds
Updated electrical distribution
More overnight camping facilities
Family friendly grounds (for all volunteers at events)
All season facilities
Creating a Welcoming Environment (people feel welcome- groups/businesses, places where
Families can sit together and eat together)
Upgraded facilities
Partnerships – B
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More local business exposure
Reciprocal/Integrated Relations with community organizations & businesses
Partnerships (community business, for volunteerism)
Economic Growth (business local, different ways to draw in different people)
Branding – C
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A tourist destination for neighbouring states and provinces
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Broad global recognition
Events – D
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Events that will encompass ALL age ranges
Family events
Community events (to create involvement/excitement)
Awareness of VAS (personal/events/better use of social media)
community wide party (likened to Canada Day/social/kid events)
better use of space (farmers market/ drive in movies/tractor pull)
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7. more big name entertainment
8. More events (concerts/moto/snow cross/ go-cart racing)
9. Add multiple events (paintball, boxing, monster truck rally, bleacher jumping)
10. contribute to the community ( splash park, community gardens/orchards/walkways, more use of
the Grandstands, dog park
11. Agricultural Trade Show
12. Camel and Ostrich races
13. big names open stage as often as possible (also present local talent)
14. More events (monthly)
15. Community projects and events
16. Music Festival
17. Farmers Market
18. Ag. Days
19. Busy all 4 Seasons
20. More events/more use (local cadets)
21. Diversified events
22. big names open stage as often as possible (also present local talent)
Relationships – E
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A community of enthusiastic people with a vision of a common successful goal.
people in communities would feel the True ownership of VAS events
VAS and the community at large need to support each other TOTALLY “Total Buy In”
Bring back sense of pride in our community and VAS
Inclusion
ownership *
Reliable and solid volunteer base that are appreciated and valued
More inclusive to the whole community (Likened to Cheers the T.V. show, sense of value and pride)
How can other community groups contribute to and benefit from the VAS (eg. Parking for fee,
sharing duties eg. Parking with other groups in community)
Ownership – Community (participation)
Transparency (Valley Ag. Mission statement, who VAS is;, mission statement)
Relevant (b/w community/organization , create whole community, work together)
Culture (develop culture of Ag. Society in community. culture creates legacy)
Legacy
Co-operation
Create a great community , safe, happy, fun (work together- community grows)
Community Ownership (pride in VAS and community)
Community excitement
Community involvement
Community meeting place
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Education – F
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Exposure of Ag Society value to our young people – our future leaders
Involvement of different ages
Involve the youth
Education
To interact through all age groups all year round
Generational Growth
Educational environment
Creating Family Atmosphere (family events)
Educate Urban people about Agriculture
Revenue - G
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Create an environment that creates revenue
Job creation VAS employees
Free Admission
unlimited money
Once these categories were identified the group then self-identified with the
category they have a passion for and in which they want to be part of in the
future planning. The group self-determined that six of the seven categories were
the priorities on which to work.
Infrastructure – 8 people chose to attach their names to this category.
Partnerships – 9 people have a passion to work on this category
Branding – 7 people felt strongly about working on this category
Events – 27 people have a passion for working with the Ag Society in this
particular area.
Relationships – 12 people are prepared to work with the Ag Society on the
development of new relationships.
Education – 3 people are prepared to commit their time to develop educational
programming
Revenue – this is an area that no one had a passion to commit to at this time.
While the community has developed seven key priorities, the top three categories
are Event Planning; Relationships & Partnerships can be consolidated; and
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Branding and Education can also be consolidated as you don’t do one without the
other. Infrastructure is also an important category.
At this time, it is suggested the Ag Society and community expend their energy on
the top three categories.
Transparency will be a key as the Ag Society proceeds in their planning. Posting
work-plans and calling for volunteers through their website will help in promoting
this openness.
Each of these categories cannot function without the other, therefore, when the
Ag Society brings these people together to develop work-plans it will be
important to bring all the groups together to report out on the individual workplans. At that time the group as a whole can identify how each of the groups can
acquire the resources to make their plans successful. There is a process that can
be effective in making this happen and the MAAS board will be working with the
Ag Society in supporting them through this initiative.
At the end of the evening, the Valley Ag Society president, Mr. Pat Schmitke
spoke about next steps. The information from the evening will be taken back to
the Ag Society Board for discussion and to identify processes in bringing those
people who have identified what categories they have a passion for working on to
the table.
The Community Engagement was very successful. People left feeling connected
and invigorated to make things happen. The process began to identify the
desired future direction of the community and the Agricultural Society, and will
be a support in the planning process that will follow this event. This engagement
session has started the conversation around a long term plan for the sustainability
of the Valley Ag Society through educational programming, well-developed
infrastructure necessary for holding events, land use, and community
involvement. The Ag Society’s leadership role in developing capacity for all
organizations within a community to plan together will be a positive impact for
the future.
This event supported the Ag Society board members in recognizing that for true
success everyone needs to be at the table.
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The adjectives used by the participants to describe their experience at this event
included:
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Extraordinary
Positive
Innovative
Energizing
Surprising
Fun
Invigorating
Productive
Educational
Encouraging
Shocking
Motivational
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