The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba has announced the return of ‘Moo Mania’ as well as ‘Ewe Mania’ this fall, in preparation for Manitoba AG EX.
A media release says “Moo Mania is an event at Manitoba AG EX that offers hands-on educational opportunities for grades 3, 4 and 5 students to experience livestock, learn where their food comes from as well as healthy environmental practices. Ewe Mania meanwhile is returning this year, showcasing sheep in agriculture, after proving to be a popular attraction in 2022.
Manitoba AG EX, which will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year and will be hosting five national shows. “I love going to schools to educate the students,” says Kristen Laing Breemersch, the program’s key instructor. “Bring rural farm life to urban communities is what Moo Mania is all about.”
Laing will also be hosting a full day of Ag Education programs at AG EX on Wednesday, October 25th, with Moo Mania in the morning and Ewe Mania being offered during the afternoon. And with close to sixty exhibitors expected to attend this year’s Trade Show, students will have the opportunity to walk around and connect with different sectors of agriculture.
Moo Mania has 6 fun filled educational sessions about beef cattle. During the students time at Moo Mania, not only will they learn about beef, but will also be up close and personal beside an animal. All students will get a hands on experience to see where their beef comes from and how beef farming helps the ecosystems and wet lands. At the end of the sessions, students will go on a barn tour, and take part in a mock auction when every class will be able to bid against each other to ‘purchase’ their favorite animal with ‘Moo Bucks’.
“One of the cornerstones and mandate of the Provincial Exhibition is to educate and to bring awareness about agriculture,” she added. “These programs have proven to be a vital part of that mission for more than ten years.”
Ewe Mania looks at many similar areas and benefits to the ecosystems and wetlands with weed control as well as different sectors of farming. Not only will students have the opportunity of a minimum of 7 educational sessions, they will learn about many aspects of the sheep industry, history and heritage of livestock, sheep shearing, benefits of wool, but also how stock dogs have a significant role in herding and acting as one of the farm hands.
“It’s a great program,” says Exhibition General Manager Mark Humphries. “Getting the opportunity to visit the different schools before AG EX and offer a competition to various classrooms has proven to be a big hit in the past and I expect that will continue this year.”
Classrooms interested in participating are encouraged to register by emailing kristen@provincialex.com. Deadline to register is Wednesday, October 4th. Moo Mania is proudly supported by Farm Credit Canada, Recycle Everywhere and Canad Inns.”
Manitoba AG EX runs from October 25-28th in Brandon’s Keystone Centre.
