Have you ever seen a chicken wearing a satin sash? If you have, it was probably Jade Ritter’s entry in the “best dressed chicken” contest at the Fergus Fall Fair in 2018. Of course, she was wearing a Fergus Fall Fair Ambassador sash and her hen was the Fergus Fall Fair Eggbassasdor! After years of exhibiting feathered friends in the poultry show, Jade became ambassador eight years ago and has been volunteering with the Fergus Agricultural Society ever since. She joined the board of directors and handicraft committee in 2020, started coordinating the ambassador program in 2025 and stepped up to become the organization’s secretary earlier this year. Jade’s passion for agriculture comes from growing up helping her grandparents and uncle on their farms and participating in the 4-H program. “Being part of the Society allows me to help others understand and appreciate an industry that literally fuels our world,” she says. “The community of Centre Wellington has rich agricultural roots and as our community continues to grow and change, I believe it’s more important than ever that we come together as a community to honour and preserve this.” If you become an exhibitor at this year’s fair, Jade will likely be the friendly face who greets you when you drop off your entries. Her role as secretary includes managing fair entries, organizing award ribbons, recording show results and much more. Outside of Fergus Agricultural Society, Jade works as a Neonatal Intensive Care Registered Nurse and also volunteers at Centre Wellington District High School and Lakeside Church. To celebrate #MeettheBoardMonday, join us in thanking Jade!

We're so excited for Breakfast & Blooms on July 18 at Hereward Farms. Your hosts, Julie and Stephen, can't wait to welcome you! What started with just 40 lavender plants has grown into something neither of them could have imagined. Built on Stephen’s family’s 250-acre farm in East Garafraxa, Hereward Farms is now home to over 8,000 lavender plants, 400,000 sunflowers, a year-round boutique and café and a growing collection of award-winning products made right on the farm. Julie had the vision to create something from the soil up. Stephen had the patience, the land and the ability to turn “I have an idea” into reality. Together, they’ve spent the last few years planting, building, growing, learning and occasionally wondering if they might have slightly underestimated how much work 400,000 sunflowers would be. @herewardfarms is proudly 100% Canadian, family-owned and their story is proof that sometimes the biggest dreams start with just a few plants and a lot of determination. Reserve your tickets here: https://bit.ly/4uNZEP7. We can’t wait to see you on the farm! #FergusAg #FergusFallFair #LavenderFarm #SunflowerFarm

Happy Canada Day from the Fergus Agricultural Society! Today, we celebrate the people, communities and agricultural traditions that make Canada such a special place to call home. From farms and fairgrounds to neighbours and volunteers, we're proud to be part of a country rooted in community spirit and connection. Wishing everyone a safe and joyful Canada Day filled with family, friends, and summer fun! #CanadaDay #FergusAg #FergusFallFair #CentreWellington #CdnAg

Volunteers are needed to help us host the 189th Fergus Fall Fair! There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available where you can help create a memorable experience for thousands of fairgoers and make a positive impact in our community. Visit fergusfallfair.ca/volunteer or email [email protected] to join us. #EloraFergus #VolunteerOpportunity #CommunityMatters

Did you know Hereward Farms is home to over 8,000 lavender plants and 400,000 sunflowers? Grab your cameras, bring the kids and spend a relaxing summer morning surrounded by flowers, fun and a little lavender magic. Breakfast & Blooms at Hereward Farms tickets are available here: https://bit.ly/4uNZEP7 #LinkinBio To volunteer at this event, fill out the form here or visit fergusagsociety.ca/volunteer. https://forms.gle/E67z2ER48GfkbHM5A #LavenderFarm #SunflowerFarm #CommunityBreakfast

Fun fact: The Fergus Fall Fair is home to fourth-generation volunteers! Dillon Bernier is giving back to our community and carrying on a family tradition by volunteering with the Fergus Agricultural Society. He began helping his grandpa, Gary Jefferson, at the Fergus Fall Fair admission gates at 10 years old and now leads the committee like his great-grandfather, grandfather and aunt did before him. In 2019, Dillon became Fergus Fall Fair Ambassador and remained in the role for two additional years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, he helps organize the program and also serves as first vice president on the Fergus Agricultural Society board where he is known for his passion, drive and leadership in implementing new ideas. The Fergus Fall Fair has always been more than an event to Dillon because it’s a part of his family’s history and he values the sense of community it creates. “I became more involved as a volunteer because I saw how important the fair is in bringing the community together, celebrating agriculture and preserving local traditions for future generations,” he says. Dillon is a Drama and English Teacher and Department Head at Norwell District Secondary School. Outside of teaching and the Fergus Agricultural Society, he is also heavily involved in theatre, arts education and literacy initiatives and enjoys reading a good book. Please help us celebrate Dillon – and the past and present volunteers in his family – on this #MeettheBoardMonday! #FergusAg #CommunityVolunteer #EloraFergus

Did you know 2026 is the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer? Mary Fraser has been farming her entire life and has seen many advancements in agriculture. She is also a community volunteer who gives her time to many local organizations. Read her story on @elorafergustoday. #IYWF2026 #WomeninAg #OntAg

Interested in participating in this year’s @fergusfallfairambassador program? Join Jade and Sarah for a virtual information night tomorrow at 7 p.m. https://meet.google.com/wmw-sptu-rnf Ambassador participants must be between the ages of 17 to 25 as of August 1, 2026 and a resident of Centre Wellington or surrounding areas. #FairAmbassador #YouthLeadership #EloraFergus