During special luncheon Nov. 29

ABRAM-VILLAGE – Sept. 14, 2017 – Feeling that farmers are not sufficiently recognized for their immense contribution to the provincial economy, the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of commerce of PEI (CCAFLIPE) is organizing a special bilingual luncheon to honour them this fall.

“Our Francophone Farmers’ Luncheon aims to recognize the efforts of all French-speaking farmers or farm managers of PEI who have at least 20 years of experience in the agricultural industry,” explains Chamber coordinator Raymond J. Arsenault. “It makes no difference whether they’re still active, retired or in another career; we want them to participate! We encourage them all to sign up.”

The luncheon is slated for Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 11:30 a.m. at the Acadian Musical Village (Centre Expo-Festival) in Abram-Village. The informal event kicks off with a bit of music; a bar service will be available. Each participating farmer and guest will get a full-course meal, all free of charge. The farmers will then receive a beautiful certificate of recognition. A few brief speeches will praise the farmers’ efforts.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE OCT. 30

“We are therefore asking all French-speaking farmers and farm managers who meet the criteria to contact us to register for the free luncheon before Oct. 30,” adds Arsenault. “We are also asking them to provide us with a few brief details about their agricultural career, such as the number of years they farmed, the types of farms they operated, their community involvement, etc.”

The Chamber would also appreciate borrowing or taking a picture of each farmer that will be honoured for inclusion in a PowerPoint presentation to be shown during the luncheon.

“Those who can’t attend the luncheon can still get a certificate of recognition sent to them,” said Arsenault. “They still have to contact us to let us know they would like to receive one.”

The coordinator notes that the Chamber honored Francophone fishermen last year during a similar luncheon. This gesture of recognition was extremely appreciated.

The Chamber therefore decided to organize a second luncheon, this time for farmers, since they too do most of their work away from the public eye. “People don’t necessarily understand all of the effort that farmers invest into the production of the delicious food that we consume every day,” says Arsenault.

To register for the Francophone Farmers Luncheon, contact Velma Robichaud at (902) 854-3439, Ext. 228, or at velma@rdeeipe.org.

Other family members or people from the public wishing to attend are also welcomed. Tickets, at $25 each, will be sold until Oct. 30; all those who are interested may contact Velma Robichaud.

This luncheon is being organized jointly with RDÉE Prince Edward Island and the Wellington Rural Action Centre.

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CUTLINE: Raymond J. Arsenault, coordinator of the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI, is collecting names of Island farmers to invite to the Francophone Farmers’ Luncheon Nov. 29 in Abram-Village.

 

 

For more information, please contact:

Raymond J. Arsenault
Coordinator
Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI
(902) 854-3439, Ext. 231
raymond@rdeeipe.org