In May 2021, we launched the RME Right by You Ag Society Grant program to demonstrate our commitment to doing ‘Right by You’ across the communities we serve in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. We received 120 applications from across the Prairie provinces with plans for projects that would enhance the lives of community members. With so many worthwhile submissions from all corners of Western Canada, the decision to narrow down the successful recipients was extremely challenging.  The following four agricultural societies have been chosen as recipients of $10,000 each toward their initiatives; the Marwayne Ag Society and Drumheller Stampede and Agricultural Society in Alberta, the Melfort Agricultural Society in Saskatchewan, and Manitoba’s Hamiota Agricultural Society.

The Marwayne Ag Society in Alberta is using the grant to purchase a new hockey score clock for their arena. “The arena is a place for the whole community to gather,” says Carolyne Clayton of the Marwayne Arena Board. “Making the hockey experience better for the kids and community is something we’ve been wanting to do for years.” Disc golf is growing in popularity across the world and Alberta’s Drumheller Stampede and Agricultural Society is leaning into this fun sport. Alicia Smith explains that using the grant to build a championship-style 18 basket disc golf course at the grounds will “build a connection to our community—it’ll offer a low-cost sport with low barriers to everyone that wants to play.”

In Saskatchewan, the Melfort Agricultural Society will be increasing accessibility to the grandstand for patrons with mobility issues. “In addition to installing a paved pathway from the fairgrounds, w e’ll be rebuilding a user-friendly ramp and viewing platform,” Melfort’s Kim Eskowich says. A new playground structure is something Manitoba’s Hamiota Agricultural Society has been needing for some time. “The ones that were existing were aged and in need of a lot of TLC. For the safety of the kids and the community, a new structure would be very helpful,” says Hamiota’s Kristi Argue.

Congratulations to our four grant recipients! Rocky Mountain Equipment thanks all the agricultural societies for their submissions in 2021. Good news—the RME Right by You Ag Society Grant will return in 2022. Watch our website, rockymtn.com, and follow us on Twitter @RMEHQ for details and launch times for the 2022 RME Right by You Ag Society Grant program.

Drumheller Stampede and Agricultural Society

Hamiota Agricultural Society