ESTEVAN — For the first time since 2019, the Estevan Farmer's Appreciation Evening is going to be held in person, and the organizers of the event are looking forward to seeing a large crowd for the event.
The banquet will be held March 30 at the Beefeater Plaza. It will feature a similar lineup to past years, with the supper, the presentation of the prestigious Farm Family of the Year Award, several 4-H speakers and a guest speaker.
"Things are pulling together very nicely, and we're really excited that we are back in person," said Estevan Chamber of Commerce executive director Jackie Wall.
The Farm Family of the Year Award presentation is always a highlight of the evening, and hundreds of people traditionally turn out to recognize the recipients.
Wall said they have some new nominations for this year, to go along with the submissions that came in for 2022.
In the past two years, the award had to be presented to the farm family recipients at their respective farms due to COVID-19 restrictions. Wall said they have invited the Emde family, who won the award in 2021, and the Walter family, who were recognized in 2022, to be at the dinner so that they can be acknowledged and saluted by the public.
The deadline to submit a nomination was on Monday.
The return of the 4-H speakers will be popular as well, Wall said, as they were a big part of the Farmer Appreciation Evening in the past. Organizers expect there will be a speaker from each of the Benson, Crossroads, Outram-Madigan, Browning and Steelman clubs.
"For me, it's always the highlight," said Wall said with a laugh. "Honestly, they are a tough act to follow. It's just so great to see kids up on stage, learning how to interact with the crowd, speaking publicly, hearing their thoughts on subjects."
The speakers always provide a lot of entertainment for the crowd.
There will also be a special presentation to the 4-H clubs from the organizing committee during the Farmer's Appreciation Evening.
The guest speaker will be Danielle Wildfong of Leask, who will be talking about mental health in agriculture. Wall believes it is a timely subject in all industries, but there is a different kind of stress for farmers and ranchers.
Some members of the committee have heard her speak previously, Wall said.
"She really pulls from real-life stories," said Wall. "I think it will be upbeat. Obviously, we're talking mental health, so there's going to be some serious moments, but from what I've heard, she will have a unique style of speaking about it and use a lot of real examples."
Wildfong has been talking about mental health for a long time and will adapt the presentation for what people need to hear, Wall said.
Wildfong's bio states that she is a certified family enterprise advisor, a farm coach, is trained in mental health first aid and is a predictive index analyst focused on people and motivational dynamics. Her coaching business supports individuals and family businesses working through the human element of the transition process and preparing for lifestyle changes.
Also during the Farmer's Appreciation Evening, the organizers will be recognizing the late John Kish, who was part of the event for decades. He died in November. The Kish family will be presented with a plaque and flowers.
More than half of the tickets for the event have already been sold, and the chamber hasn't followed up with those who have said they would be getting a table. Wall is confident it will be a sellout once again.
The event is organized by a committee, with representatives from the chamber, agriculture agencies and the farming community.
Wall said they have completed most of the tasks for the event. The plaque for the Farm Family of the Year Award has been ordered. They just don't know which name will be added. They've been hosting the event for a long time, which gives them the benefit of experience, even though it's been four years since they have welcomed the public.
