Char-Lan DHS Celebrates Agriculture with its Annual Take your Tractor to School Tradition
September 16, 2022 (Williamstown, ON) – Students and staff from Char-Lan District High School drove the streets of Williamstown early this morning to meet up in the school’s parking lot where they parked their tractors and other farm equipment for the annual Take your Tractor to School Day.
More than a dozen heavy machines filled the DHS parking lot, drawing attention from students and community members. Grade 10 student Alastair McRae made the drive from his family farm in Bainsville. “The 15-to-20-kilometer drive to the school took more like an hour this morning.” McRae explains that he picked the Ford 8770 tractor for its speed as it is one of the newer tractors at their farm.
“It’s a fun experience for us to show off our tractors,” says McRae who used to drive with his brothers for the annual day. “This year, it’s just myself and my sister Molly at the school.”
The organization of the event was a tag-team effort by Sherry MacLachlan, a school office staff member and local farmer, and Alison Dennis, the school’s Agriculture Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) lead.
The purpose of this annual event is to celebrate the school and community’s strong connection to farming. All students had the opportunity to admire the machines throughout the day.
“It’s vital that our students understand the important role that agriculture plays in food production right here in South Glengarry,” says Char-Lan DHS Principal Trevor Wheeler. “This event complements the other amazing agricultural learning that takes place at our school throughout the school year.”
On top of offering students a SHSM Agriculture program which allows them to focus their learning on industry related to agriculture, Char-Lan DHS collaborates with local farmers to experiment with test food plots behind the school on their own 'Experimental Farm'.
To complement the rural living and learning experience, students enrolled in the Agriculture SHSM and other students who are interested in farming will be taking a field trip to the International Plowing Match next week in Kemptville.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Trevor Wheeler
Principal
Char-Lan District High School
[email protected]