FARMINGTON — Agriculture Day at Farmington Fair has been canceled again, this time due to a lack of presenters. The event is typically held on Monday morning.

Ag Day draws hundreds of students, teachers, and chaperones to the fair to learn about agriculture and Maine’s natural-resources industries. In 2019 it was canceled following the explosion that day at the LEAP building. It wasn’t held the last two years due to protocols put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District has sponsored Ag Day for children in greater Franklin County elementary schools for 28 years. The organization was looking forward to bringing it back this year and sent letters last spring to schools and presenters to determine who planned to take part this year.

At the District’s meeting Friday, Aug. 12, Executive Director Corie Willard said two schools had confirmed more than 1,000 would be attending and at least three other schools were expecting to attend. Of the 27 presenters who had previously shared information or demonstrated at the event, only 10 indicated they would be doing so this year, she said. Seven said they would not be and 10 didn’t respond, she noted.

Several former presenters may have retired or are no longer with the agency, while others were concerned about COVID-19, Willard added.

Some Ag Day events typically are held in Worthley Show Arena. The Exhibition Hall, Agriculture Museum and other buildings are also open.

The decision to cancel was made due to concern over having more people at once at a presenter’s station or in buildings.

It is hoped that more presenters can be found so that Ag Day can resume next year. Anyone interested in sharing their area of expertise is encouraged to contact Willard by calling 207-778-4279 or emailing franklincswcd@yahoo.com.

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