The federation has teamed up with Taste the County, a group which promotes tourism in the area, to host a bus tour of area farms. There are five stops in all, including a catered lunch at Sunnyside Apple Factory, west of Bloomfield on the Loyalist Parkway.
Dairy farmer Sue Miller is one of the organizers. Miller says the idea behind the tour is to let people who don’t have a connection with agriculture know how important farming is to the region.
"The strings to the farm are getting further and further away. We need to educate the non-agricultural sector about what is available in the county from agriculture and the financial implications of farming."
Miller says all area politicians have been invited, including provincial and federal representatives. Members of the local Chamber of Commerce were also asked to attend, for a minimal cost of $5, as were staff from the school boards and financial institutions. "Politicians who are making decisions that affect us all" should know what’s happening outside the city boundaries, says Miller.
The tour comes just as Prince Edward County launches its Economic Impact of Agriculture study. Miller says the idea behind the study, to show the economic importance of agriculture to society, will be part of a discussion during the tour. "Let’s show the number of people employed in agriculture and the amount of money invested," says Miller, "I’m sure it’s going to be an eye-opener."
Farmers who were approached about showing their operations were sent a questionnaire ahead of time. They were asked to list the number of people employed; average number of hours put into the operation per week, per season; the effect of bio-technology on their farm and their involvement, if any, in school programs. Miller is hoping the information will help educate participants about the huge commitment involved in farming and why the sector is a vital part of any community.
Anderson Farms is the first stop on the tour. Then the bus heads to Townline Farms, the Sunnyside Apple Outlet and Lewisholme Farms. The day wraps up with a stop at Golden Oak Herefords owned by George and Colleen McNeely.
(The bus leaves the Picton Fairgrounds at 9:45am on July 18th. For ticket information call Sue Miller at 476-7328 or Pat Stacey at 476-3842.)
From the Archives:
News, July 2000
