Highgate District Agricultural Society

10/21/2026

We are very excited to share the news that through the generous support of Farm Credit Canada and their AgriSpirit Fund, the Highgate District Agricultural Society has received $15,000 that was put to good use replacing the fencing around the 4H show ring and the perimeter fencing around the parking lot. As a 100% volunteer based charity that is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the park in Highgate, we rely heavily on funding through granting programs and initiatives like this. Thanks to our sponsors, donors, and the remarkable granting organizations like Farm Credit Canada, we can help make sure this community resource is here for generations to come.

FCC knows that rural communities play a vital role in helping Canadian agriculture and food thrive, and supporting them is what the FCC AgriSpirit Fund is all about.

This year, FCC is investing $1.5 million in 83 community projects across Canada. Over the past 22 years, the fund has invested $25.5 million in 1,861 projects that help communities build local capacity and respond to local needs. We count ourselves very lucky to be one of this year's recipients.

Please join us in thanking Farm Credit Canada for their generous support.

Learn more:

Learn about some of the past projects supported by the FCC AgriSpirit Fund.

10/21/2026

We are very excited to share that through the generous support of the Farm Credit Canada AgriSpirit Fund, the Highgate District Agricultural Society has received $15,000 that was put to use replacing the 4H show fence, as well as new fencing surrounding the parking lot at the fair grounds. As a 100% volunteer based charity that is responsible for the management and upkeep of the park facility in Highgate, we are deeply grateful for the support provided through these granting programs and initiatives. Through investments like this it helps to keep our facility safe and vibrant for generations to come.

FCC knows that rural communities play a vital role in helping Canadian agriculture and food thrive, and supporting them is what the FCC AgriSpirit Fund is all about.

This year, FCC is investing $1.5 million in 83 community projects across Canada. Over the past 22 years, the fund has invested $25.5 million in 1,861 projects that help communities build local capacity and respond to local needs. We feel very blessed to count ourselves as one of the lucky recipients.

Please join us in thanking Farm Credit Canada for their incredible support of the Highgate District Agricultural Society.

The money was given to the Highgate District Agricultural Society from the FCC AgriSpirit Fund.

10/17/2026

It's hard to believe that three weeks have already passed since the 172nd annual Highgate Fair. A huge shout out to The Ridgetown Independent News for sharing all the wonderful photos. Please take a moment to check out some of the amazing highlights that happened throughout the day.

It was great to see the support of our community that day, taking part in all that the Fair had to offer. We had around 700 attendees out to enjoy everything from the parade to exhibits; great food to fun games... all under perfect clear blue skies.

Later this month we will be putting a call out to those who may want to participate on our Board, through our annual Board appointment process. Please keep an eye open for details, and in the meantime if you have any questions, you can reach us at [email protected]

10/10/2026

From all of us here at the Highgate District Agricultural Society we want to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend, spent with family and friends, celebrating the lovely fall weather, and enjoying a hearty meal (or two!).

10/05/2026

Wishing all our farmer friends a very happy Agriculture Week from October 5 to 11 as we head into Thanksgiving weekend. This week gives us all an opportunity to reflect on the many individuals and organizations that come together to help feed our community. Thank you for all you do.

As the fall harvest is in full swing, please be sure to pay extra attention to the tractors, combines, and other farming equipment on our roads as they work to bring in the crops. With a little extra patience we can all enjoy a safe 2026 harvest.

10/03/2026

We are excited to share the results of this year's various competitions, including our Highgate Fair exhibitor competitions, parade, pedal pull, and the ever popular Pie Auction. Congratulations to everyone who participated and helped to make this year our best Highgate Fair yet!

09/28/2026

With so many farmers in one place this past weekend, the topic of fall harvest was most definitely part of the conversations that occurred at the Highgate Fair. The Highgate District Agricultural Society asks everyone to take extra care in the weeks ahead as the crops start coming off. Please be patient, be alert, and give extra space to our farmers as they are busy bringing in the harvest. Long hours during a stressful time of year can take its toll, so that little bit of extra attention and patience can help make for a safe, and successful, harvest season.

09/27/2026

Each year were look forward to the chance to recognize someone whom our Members feel has made a significant impact on rural life here in Highgate and the surrounding area.

This year’s award winners – yes, we have two this year – are no strangers to Highgate and the surrounding area. The Agricultural Services Award goes to someone who represents the community spirit, and who has made a significant contribution to our community with an emphasis on agriculture and rural life. Our winners were both born and raised in what many of us still affectionately refer to as Orford Township. They caught the community spirit early on when they were both involved in the local Junior Farmers Club, which is where their childhood friendship developed into a relationship, that lead to a marriage, that just celebrated 54 years. Their involvement in our community has been quiet and constant. Over the years if you were to take a look at who was showing up to help at Orford public school concerts and events, they were there. They have supported local charities, including the Highgate District Agricultural Society where they both have held leadership roles including the Society President, and President of the Homecraft Committee, as well as the Canadian Cancer Society. They have been active members of the local Anglican church, the Highgate Masonic Lodge, the Gosnell Cemetery Board, as well as have been involved in Highgate baseball (all four of their kids spent time on the diamonds here at the park), the East Kent community group, and many, many more groups and organizations.

Their sense of community goes beyond involvement in formal organizations, to what it truly means to be a member of a small, rural community. When neighbours need help, they are there – whether that’s clearing snow after a winter storm, helping to bring in the harvest when life hands you a bit of a setback, or simply lending a sympathetic ear and a shoulder to lean on when you need it most. They lead by example and have instilled in those around them this same sense of community... with those same 4 children now involved in local charitable activities, and always willing to lend a hand when a call for help goes out – just like mom and dad.

It gives us great pleasure to announce this year‘s winners of the Agricultural Service Diploma Award, Brad and Marg Gosnell.

09/27/2026

Thank you to the Orford Highgate Volunteer Fire Department who always participate at the fair. They swapped their fire helmets for creative hats and surprised everyone with a rubber duck race, water courtesy of one of their fire trucks. Who knew they were so crafty 😛

09/27/2026

The kiddies always love the Toonies in the Straw... sorry to the parents for having to deal with the straw and chaff in their clothes and hair!