Farm Tours – a new way to experience agriculture
By Sarah McGinnis, Calgary Herald, 2008.07.04
As Canadians gravitate towards urban living, the Calgary Stampede is fostering a critical connection between city dwellers and Alberta farms.
This year’s agricultural activities are going to extend beyond the Stampede grounds as a series of day-long farm tours offers the curious a window into how their food is produced.
“We wanted to create an opportunity to see agriculture through the eyes of the farmers, ranchers and entrepreneurs in the industry, and in the process we have created a new way to experience the Calgary Stampede,” said Stampede agriculture manager Allison Wright.
Last year, the Stampede tried offering a one-day farm tour. Early success with the program has encouraged organizers to create three farm tours for 2008.
“Roam your backyard” will feature a visit to a working ranch, a horse farm and lunch at a berry farm, all located south of Calgary. This tour runs today and again on July 7 and 10.
“Big business” allows the curious to visit a commercial farm on a Hutterite colony east of Calgary on July 5, 8 and 11. The excursion also includes stops at a local feedlot and a microbrewery.
“Roots of food” visits a working cattle ranch, a crop farm and a dairy farm north of Calgary on July 6, 9 and 12.
Calgarians are more removed from their farming roots than ever before, said Wright.
Farm tours will allow the Calgary Stampede to showcase Alberta’s agricultural industry while demonstrating to the average person how much farming can affect everyone’s daily life, she said.
“It brings the ability to see the full production cycle and creates a different approach to (personal) purchasing decisions,” she said.
Each of the new farm tours, which cost $199 per person and include transportation, meals featuring locally produced menus and Stampede park admission, begin at Stampede Park at 9 a.m. and will conclude between 5 and 6 p.m.
Preserving the agricultural presence at the Calgary Stampede is crucial as people become increasingly distanced from the food they eat, said Susan Church, manager of Alberta Farm Animal Care — a group representing a number of local livestock industries to promote responsible animal care.
Agricultural exhibits featured at the Calgary Stampede allow the public to ask questions about the production of beef, milk or eggs.
It is also an opportunity for producers to discuss the methods they use to care for their animals, said Church.
“Part of our desire is to engage in discussion with the public to demonstrate how we do look after our animals. The Stampede offers . . . good interaction so people better understand how we do our jobs and how we do it well,” said Church.
The agricultural component of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth doesn’t appear to be waning. The Calgary Stampede plans to invest $65 million over the next three years to build a new agricultural facility and upgrade current barn conditions.
The 100,000-square-foot agriculture building will be constructed between the 2009 and 2011 Stampedes.
Interest in the 45 agriculture events at the exhibition remains strong.
Increasingly, Stampede organizers have had to use off-site qualifiers to select the candidates able to compete in various livestock, sport and entertainment events, said Wright.
Posted by FFC on July 13th, 2009 :: Filed under Canada,Education and public awareness
Tags :: Canada, Consumers, education, farm tours
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