Every August, the village of Lawrencetown hosts the Annapolis County exhibition.
Heather and I attended on Saturday, the last day. We wanted to see whether there had been any changes. In particular, I was interested in the relationship between agricultural research and the Geographic Sciences ( COGS sits just across the road from the exhibition grounds).
From my relatively short visit, the content of the Ex. seemed to follow past tradition : focus on 4H, main events in the show rings, the fairgrounds and many booths for food and drinks. Certainly at $20 per adult it should generate some local revenue. Plus parking.
The presence of the exhibition did prompt me to consider the role of agriculture in the local economy, whether it still offers a tourism attraction ? Could it become a cornerstone in the ‘ creative rural economy’ ?
I left the Lawrencetown site, thinking more about the history and future of COGS. We first arrived in 1980, bringing new technology (Computers, GIS) to this rural landscape. In recent years, the NSCC has added a new wing to the building, ostensibly to bring further industry/technology to the Valley.
Is that happening ? If not, why not ? For almost fifty years, COGS has proven that the combination of new technology in a rural setting can provide an excellent environment for intensive learning and research.
Time to revisit the model !!
I sent an email, proposing ACORN, the seed of an idea.
Annapolis County Opportunities and Research Network.
Thank you, Edward, for refining the acronym. I enjoy your full support.
Ernest Blair Experiment 
Bob
FYI — The annual Exhibition is organized and funded by the Annapolis Valley Exhibition Society, a local non-profit. The Exhibition Society is a tenant of the Annapolis County Federation of Agriculture (a statutory body), owner of the exhibition grounds.
Brian
Brian Arnott Principal Novita Interpares | Leaf + Branch
novitainterpares.ca http://novitainterpares.ca/
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OK.My mistake.BobSent from my iPad
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Lawrencetown, Annapolis Valley, is likely the most mapped, measured and digitized rural community in Canada. It has a wealth of geo-history. Perhaps now is the time for the village, County and Province to jointly showcase that rich history through a museum, through shared workshops with the college, through plenary sessions and seasonal camps involving the intersection of technology with agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism. Imagine a summer drone flight school. Sign me up.
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