There won’t be any fireworks displays or promotional blimps, but The Western Producer is undertaking a variety of activities to mark its 75th anniversary this year.
In keeping with the note under our nameplate (“Serving Western Canadian farm families since 1923”), several commemorative activities are meant to support and promote the
4-H organization.
When the first issue of this newspaper appeared on Aug. 27, 1923, the 4-H movement in Canada was already 10 years old, having started with a youth club in Roland, Man. It didn’t take long for youth coverage and features to appear, including a report on an essay contest for boys and girls.
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Fittingly, one of our anniversary activities this year is a youth essay contest marking 75 years of co-operation between the newspaper and 4-H. (See page 8 of this section.) Entrants can choose to write about the role of either 4-H or the newspaper in rural life. Winners who are members of 4-H clubs also win a prize for their club.
In addition to its normal sponsorship of 4-H activities, the Producer will give $12,500 to the four western 4-H provincial associations, allocated according to membership. The newspaper will also provide substantial free advertising space for 4-H promotions.
On Aug. 27, the actual anniversary date, the Producer will publish a special anniversary edition tracing 75 years of developments in western agriculture and rural life, from the arrival of mechanization to the dawn of biotechnology. Depression, drought, electrification, development of new varieties and changes in farm organizations will be among the themes. The special issue will also include the list of winners from the essay contest.
Each week in 1998, the newspaper will carry an historical feature recalling events and personalities from the past 75 years.
Two campaigns will promote The Western Producer itself – a draw offering prizes of up to $7,500 in farm inputs for new or renewal subscriptions, and an offer where any subscriber can give a free 12-week gift subscription to a Canadian agricultural producer who does not already get the newspaper.
Special anniversary premiums, such as a commemorative pewter spoon, will be available at Producer displays at farm fairs for renewing subscribers.
And, for the 75th time, we wish all our readers a happy and more prosperous New Year.
