NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE Premier Jason Kenney joins Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede VIPs at the president's luncheon on Thursday, July 25, 2019.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade Premier Jason Kenney was the star guest at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede president’s luncheon on Thursday and he gushed his appreciation of this city.
“It’s wonderful to be back,” said Kenney, calling Medicine Hat the alternative capital of Saskatchewan. “I love this town … the “grit” … the “enterprise.”
Kenney said Medicine Hat’s tradition of Stampede since 1887 makes the Calgary Stampede, which has been taking place only since 1912, simply an “upstart.”
The honorary parade marshals, Mark and Nichole Neubauer, who still enjoy their family’s 100-year-old homestead and continue the tradition of raising beef cattle and farming crops, addressed the audience regarding their passion for agriculture – this year’s theme for Stampede.
Mark pointed out that for the early pioneer farmers and ranchers in this area, it was all about simply “surviving.” Since those early days, there have been huge advances in science and technology that have had an impact on agriculture, he said, reducing the time it takes for specific farm tasks – but said it is still a stressful pursuit.
Mark said 2019 has been a dry year with some hay crops simply not worth cutting. For those who have irrigation systems it has made all the difference, he said.
Nichole talked about her passion for the younger generations to understand where the food they eat comes from. She said there is often a disconnect between farmers and children and their understanding of the process of the food getting from a farmer’s field to a plate from which they eat.
Kenney said Stampede is an important way to reach the younger generation that provides a tactile experience about agriculture.
Stampede royalty were at the president’s luncheon, some having travelled a considerable distance to attend, including Grand Prairie.
