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COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • JUNE 2017


Spring Fling connects sponsors with classroom outreach Fundraiser brings together programs, supporters and students; raises $13,196


by RONDA PAYNE


MAPLE RIDGE – Coming together over gourmet food and BC-crafted wines may not seem like hard work, but the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation’s Spring Fling fundraiser certainly does some heavy lifting when it comes to promoting the organization’s programs and raising much- needed funds to continue them.


Held at the end of April at Thomas Haney Secondary School in Maple Ridge, the Spring Fling event invited 150 guests to an evening of entertainment, a silent auction and local foods turned into a four-course dinner by Red Seal chefs and culinary arts students. Ag in the Classroom


program co-ordinator Carla McBeth aimed to raise more than $10,000 from the evening’s event, but exceeded that amount by $3,196. “It’s going towards several programs,” she says. “Spuds in Tubs, Planting a Promise, Take a Bite of BC, the Pencil Patch and others. This is our second annual event and we have added entertainment this year. There is more fundraising activity with the silent auction and the apple draw, and we are at a different location.”


Ag in the Classroom’s Carla McBeth pulled off a successful fundraiser for the organization. RONDA PAYNE PHOTO


The programs have a significant impact on students and their families. Spuds in Tubs has reached 11,450 students, 7,350 students are on the Planting a Promise and Harvest Bin programs, 7,200 students participate in Take a Bite of BC and 450 teacher-partners are subscribers to resources and lesson plans.


Board member Clayton


Botkin invited guests to enjoy the pre-dinner excitement with a cranberry sangria created from Ocean Spray and Singletree Winery products. It’s a concoction that infuses students with pride, he says. “Culinary arts students are


really proud of the meal they create with BC products,” he says.


Jennifer Long, education specialist with BC Ag in the Classroom, believes the gala reinforces the connection between sponsors and contributors to the programs they support. “It lets them connect with


today’s youth. We come together to celebrate the progress that has been made,” she says. “Plus with chefs and students working at the event, it’s another opportunity to work with BC food. They get to see it in a


formal event setting.” During the gala, executive


director Pat Tonn noted that one of the organization’s goals is to get teachers and students to know about farming in BC and where their food comes from. For more information about what BC Ag in the


Classroom does and how it’s done, visit [www.aitc.ca/bc/].


of summer BEST PART


It’s the


RCMP Musical Ride will be performing at The Fair Aug 19-23.


LARGEST AGRICULTURE SHOWCASE COME CELEBRATE AT BC’S


In celebration of Canada 150, the famous


PNE 4-H FESTIVAL AUGUST 19–22


Off ering over 30 types of project competitions as well as provincial programs for judging, speak and show and educational displays. Travel assistance off ered to clubs outside of the Fraser Valley through the


BC Youth in Agriculture Foundation. ENTRY DEADLINE: JUNE 30, 2017


FARM COUNTRY AUGUST 19–SEPTEMBER 4


Come out and experience BC’s remarkably diverse agriculture


industry. Featuring the crowd favourite Discovery Farm exhibit, pig racing, BC Dairy Association’s Dairy Zone, and BC Egg Marketing Board’s brand new egg laying competition plus a whole barn full of exciting animal displays.


604-252-3581 • agriculture@pne.ca


PACIFIC SPIRIT HORSE SHOW AUGUST 23–SEPTEMBER 4


Competitions in:


Junior Amateur Jumping, Draft Team and Indoor Eventing along with Canadian Horse Demonstrations and much more!


ENTRY DEADLINE: JULY 28, 2017


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