City slickers get chance to experience farm life
Green Acres comes to the Western Fair as some kids see a cow for the first time.
BY APRIL ROBINSON, SPECIAL TO SUN MEDIA, London Free Press, 2007.09.15
A black cow — a prized Limousin heifer — rests in a pen beside a raffle table at the Western Fair. “Win $1200 or Freezer Beef,” a sign reads.
The sight caught 23-year-old Lilla Pferschy of London by surprise.
“I don’t think about it when I eat it,” she said. “But seeing the cow here, it’s sad.”
For many London-area people, Western Fair — the largest fair in the region and with a history planted firmly in things agricultural — is about learning where their food comes from.
“Some kids have never even seen a cow,” said Arnolda Baker, regional dairy educator for Elgin-Middlesex.
She had just finished a cow-milking demonstration at the Rogers Agriplex, explaining everything from the “pulling and squeezing” of the udders to the 102-degree temperature of fresh milk. Within a few minutes, a light brown Jersey had given about 10 litres.
“It’s important for people to know that farms feed cities,” Baker said.
Andrea George of London took her kids to the demonstration so they could get an idea of how their milk gets to the fridge.
“We’re very fortunate to live where we do,” said George. “We can go to a store and purchase whatever food we want.”
It’s exactly the message farm animal educator Fred Cahill tries to get across. He says Canada has some of the best food in the world, but consumers don’t always think of the source.
“I’ve been in this industry for a long time,” said the Texas longhorn farmer from Strathroy, “and there is no country like our country for food production.”
Cahill said he answers questions like how many piglets are in a litter, how sheep are sheered and how much milk dairy cattle produce.
Grace Li just wants her kids — who’ve only ever known city life — to get a taste of agriculture. Since moving to London from China two years ago, her seven-year-old has been fascinated with the fair.
“We never saw a farm in China,” said Li as her husband videotaped synchronized horseback riding by the Canadian Cowgirls.
“We saw animals , but not like this.”
Posted by Admin on July 19th, 2009 :: Filed under Consumers, Education and public awareness
Tags :: cattle, Consumers, education, Farmers, food
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