A Regional Agricultural Learning and Demonstration site is on its way to being created across from Grey Roots Museum and Archives.
On December 10th, Grey County Council approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to accept donated land from Everett and Marylon Hall.
The site would be operated by the Chatsworth and Owen Sound Agricultural Societies.
The plan would be to make it a place where people can learn about the importance of agriculture and where food comes from.
A December 2019 report says, it would also be host to a regional fair and other agricultural associated events.
The roughly 20 acre site would be directly west of Grey Roots (beside Moreston Village).
Two buildings are proposed on the site, (to be built at the expense of the ag societies) one for ag society office staff which would also have a large room for displaying exhibits, and a barn for housing livestock during the regional fair and other events. It would also have educational displays and could be used for workshops and programs with a track and agricultural demonstration plots.
The report says the focus of the proposed Regional Fair would include, “cattle displays and competitions, homecraft competition and education, and educational displays of the County’s past and present agricultural way of life. Other events as part of the Regional Fair would include the traditional midway and games, tractor pulls, and a demolition derby.”
Other ideas for events include antique car displays, fundraisers, Grey County’s ‘Grown in Grey’ educational event with grade 5 students to learn about agribusiness and agricultural commodities, 4-H club meetings, possibly the Harvest for Hunger fundraiser, art shows, or farm machinery and animal events.
Next steps in the process include applying to the Niagara Escarpment Commission for permission to use the land, the Halls transfer title of the donated land to the County. The County would then lease the lands to the Agricultural Societies for 5 years at $2 a year with the option to buy the land for a small amount like $10 as long as the land is kept for the learning centre or farming. If the use of the land is not restricted in this way, then the purchase price would be at fair-market value.
