OAAS stands for the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies.
It is a provincial organization in Ontario, Canada, that represents over 210 local agricultural societies and fair boards (such as local community fair organizers like the Shannonville Agricultural Society).
An Agricultural Society’s legal existence, status, and reporting requirements are governed by the provincial government through the Agricultural and Horticultural Organizations Act (AHOA), overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFA). The OAAS itself is an umbrella advocacy and support association, not a regulatory body.
As a member of the OAAS, The Shannonville Agricultural society benefits from the following OAAS Roles & Responsibilities:
Advocacy: Represents the collective interests of local fairs, exhibitions, and agricultural associations to provincial regulatory bodies.
Support & Governance: Provides leadership, guidance, educational resources, and governance training for local agricultural societies.
Annual Convention: Hosts a major annual convention every February, bringing together delegates across Ontario for networking, workshops, and provincial judging competitions.
Community & Leadership Programs: Coordinates initiatives like youth programs, judging standards, awards, and community leadership workshops (e.g., the Building Community Leaders program).
The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) uses a regional structure—divided into 15 distinct Districts across Ontario—to solve a practical challenge: managing and supporting over 210 local agricultural societies across a vast geographic area. The Shannonville Agricultural is a member of District 3, which includes 16 Agricultural Societies including our neighbours such as the Mohawk Agricultural Society, the Belleville Agricultural Society, the Lennox Agricultural Society and the Kingston and District Agricultural Society.