Nova Scotians will be able to meet a farmer at Mic Mac Mall in Dartmouth on today, Aug. 19 and Saturday, Aug. 20.
The fifth annual Meet Your Farmer at the Mall event will feature information booths in the Bay Court hosted by Nova Scotia farm organizations, and cooking demonstrations with local foods and a local chef. A farm animal display will be set up outside the Old Navy entrance. 4H members will be on hand at the display to answer questions and a professional sheep shearer will demonstrate shearing.
“With this event we’re raising awareness with consumers about the important contributions made by agriculture and the benefits of buying locally grown products,” said Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell. “That is one more way we help keep agriculture a vibrant contributor to our economy and support the sustainability of our food supply.”
The event is supported by the federal and provincial governments through Growing Forward 2, the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture and affiliated commodity groups. The aim is to raise awareness about local agriculture and the benefits of buying local food.
“Meet Your Farmer at the Mall is a unique way of bringing the farm to the city,” said federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay. “This event offers Nova Scotians an opportunity to meet with our hard-working farmers who continue to feed families and contribute to the growth of Canada’s economy.”
With about 23,000 people visiting Mic Mac Mall every day, the event is a good opportunity for farmers and consumers to meet and talk about local food and the agriculture industry.
“This is a welcomed opportunity for farmers to share their stories and answer any questions that consumers have about farming and agriculture,” said Chris van den Heuvel, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture.
Meet Your Farmer at the Mall is a prelude to Open Farm Day on Sept. 18, when farms across the province welcome visitors for activities and demonstrations.
For more information on both events, go to www.meetyourfarmer.ca .
Source: Release