Small-scale Farmers Celebrated at Small Farm Expo

Aspiring, new and experienced farmers will have an opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills at farmer-led workshops and demonstrations at this year’s Small Farm Expo.

The expo, now in its sixth year, will take place on Monday, July 20, at the Bridgewater Exhibition Grounds.

Participants will discover how small-scale farmers are building on traditional farming knowledge and practices using modern production technology, farm business management and marketing.

“The type of connections formed at events like this, between experienced farmers and new farmers, continue to build our agricultural industry,” said Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell. ”This expo creates stronger ties and partnerships in the agriculture community, which is all part of the growth we are seeing in the agricultural sector in Nova Scotia.”

“Farmer-led workshops provide new farmers with a great opportunity to learn from seasoned veterans in the agriculture community,” said federal Agriculture Minister, Gerry Ritz. “Our government is proud to partner with the province to help give Nova Scotia farmers access to the tools they need to grow their business and our overall economy.”

Workshops include:

— goats and cheese making
— jams and jellies
— bread and baking
— haskap production
— sausage making
— garlic 101
— heritage livestock
— pastured beef
— food safety
— getting started in organic farming
— small-scale beekeeping
— south shore grape growing

At lunchtime, local ingredients and dishes are what’s on the menu. There will also be demonstrations on compost teas, a portable sawmill and Christmas tree shearing. The event will also have trade show booths and agricultural experts available to answer questions.

Small Farm Expo 2015 is funded under Growing Forward 2, the five-year framework agreement for agriculture which is cost-shared 60-40 between the federal and provincial governments.

For more information and to register visit http://novascotia.ca/thinkfarm .

Source: Release