The Portage la Prairie Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Agriculture Appreciation Night February 3rd at the MNP Building on Island Park.

It's an event that recognizes the ag industry's contribution to the region, and has happened for better than three decades.

Executive Director Cindy McDonald says they have a guest speaker this year -- Colleen Dyck, who's the founder and inventor of GORP (Clean) Energy Bars.

McDonald continues, "It's going to be a fantastic story, and a perfect fit for our evening. She's a farmer that had a dream, and had a passion, and produced her product with the help of the FDC (Food Development Centre) right here in Portage, so we're looking forward to her story."

This is one of only a few such events in the province, and McDonald believes it continued so long because agriculture's so important in this region, "How could we not celebrate it? It contributes so much to our local economy. We have so many ag businesses here, so many of our members are in the ag business, so many of our members are producers, so for us, it's a no-brainer."

She adds Ag Appreciation Night's well supported every year."Our area embraces it, because they know the importance of it. The local producers and the ag industry looks forward to this night. Any of the ag businesses realize how important it is, obviously, because it's their business. It's very well supported, and they appreciate very much having a night to celebrate agriculture."

Here's where you'll find ticket information.