OUTLOOK - It has been just more than seventy years since water was first pumped from the 小蓝视频 Saskatchewan River to irrigate a field on what was then the PFRA Pre Development Farm south of Outlook. The photo, courtesy Bob Kohlert (manager 1964-67), from those early days shows Hans Naab operating a wheel move sprinkler system.
Since that time irrigation has had a significant impact on the economic well 小蓝视频 of the community and the province. As a result the population of Outlook has grown steadily, even during economic downturns, and stands poised to continue growth with further development on the west side. Irrigation has largely ended repeated appeals for relief.
Little has been done, however, to preserve the history of irrigation nor explain / promote the merits of irrigation to the broader taxpaying public. In some environmental circles irrigation may be portrayed as a negative in terms of a resource 小蓝视频 depleted / wasted or negatively impacting wetlands in the province when, in fact, irrigation technology has helped provide food security in the province, across Canada and even the world.
There is an argument to be made, therefore, that the community that depends on irrigation should get in front of the narrative rather than follow or defend it or, at the very least, ensure accurate, reliable information is provided to taxpayers. The question becomes how best to do that. Agro – tourism or a museum profiling irrigation is certainly one option.
The first question that, consequently, needs to be asked and answered, ‘is there sufficient interest locally to pursue such an option?’ And while Outlook’s new proposed strategic plan appears short on specific irrigation based economic development proposals, agro-tourism and / or an irrigation museum would certainly fall within that strategic plan.
In fact it has been most refreshing to hear and read the town appears interested in and now seems willing to ‘embrace our brand as the Irrigation Capital of Saskatchewan’ and to expand, develop, and sell that brand making Outlook ‘a destination’.
Since first proposing Outlook consider irrigation based agro-tourism or an irrigation museum in this space almost a year ago, I have now taken the additional step of asking the town to set a meeting date to discuss the issue and perhaps establish some direction. And the town has agreed.
Accordingly, a brief meeting has been called for Monday, March 21 commencing at 4PM in the Courtroom of the Town Hall. I would initially propose a vote by private ballot whether or not this option is something the community should pursue or not. A negative vote would end the meeting but a positive vote would result in some preliminary discussion and I would suggest the selection of a small steering committee.
Your participation is most welcome. But if you are unable to attend, your opinion dropped off in a sealed envelope at the town office without any identification would also be welcomed and considered.
Garden Chat w/Oliver Green - Tourism Options
As a follow up to last week’s article asking whether or not irrigation based agro-tourism or an irrigation based museum is something the community might pursue, it seemed appropriate to follow up with what that might look like - assuming interest. In terms of full disclosure, however, I should point out I have no recognizable tourism nor museum related qualifications other than having visited tourist destinations elsewhere.
I suspect the questions needing answered is what tourists expect? What types of activities or displays attract tourists to an area or keep them engaged for an extended part of their day? But there may be as many different answers as there are tourists.
I recall not too long after arriving in Outlook I turned an acre of raspberries at the then PFRA Demonstration Farm into a u-pick operation open to the public, perhaps the first in the province. It attracted media attention along with ‘tourists’ from as far away as Swift Current just to pick the berries. I discounted any who picked berries incidental to a visit with friends or relatives.
Following are some points for initial consideration:
1) A former manager at the Pre-Development, Bob Kohlert, was asked to design a working model of irrigation methods which was subsequently built and displayed in Montreal at Expo 67. Updated, this interior display would provide a year round explanation of irrigation and could include material documenting irrigations evolution in the area.
2) There is little question there would be more than enough local talent to design and build working scale models of wheel move, big gun or pivot sprinkler systems which, along with flood irrigation modeling, would tell the story of irrigation progress in the province. Such a tourist attraction would not only address improved efficiencies that have occurred in irrigation over the past 70 years in Saskatchewan but create a focal point for a display of crops that irrigation has fostered.
3) Might there be a place for guided tours that could further profile those crops that would not otherwise grow in the area without irrigation. Such displays would visually demonstrate to Mr. and Mrs. Taxpaying Public not only the ability of irrigation to help provide their food supply now and into the future but improve their general standard of living simultaneously.
4) Labour from farmers to researchers ( based on existing studies) may become increasingly in short supply. Such efforts to profile irrigation, if coupled with a community garden or as tourist guides, could engage some students in the pursuit of a career in agriculture.
As I indicated last week a brief meeting has been called for Monday, March 21 commencing at 4PM in the Courtroom of the Town Hall. There will be a general vote and brief discussion on options. Your participation is most welcome. But if you are unable to attend, your opinion dropped off in a sealed envelope at the town office without any identification would also be welcomed and considered.
