The Forbes family, with the help of friends, is planning to have 750 people out to their Sarnia farm June 20 for breakfast and a look around.
The first Breakfast on the Farm, held a year ago, attracted 500 people to Forbesvue Farms on Waterworks Road to the free event organized by the Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation, Lambton Federation of Agriculture and the Egg Farmers of Ontario, along with several additional sponsors.
“It was a tremendous,” Tracy Ranick, with the business development corporation, said about that initial Lambton event that had been modeled after one held in New Dundee, near Woodstock.
“We’ve actually increased attendance this year by 50%,” Ranick said.
The event is free but guests must get tickets in advance online at eventbrite.ca where they can search for “Breakfast on the Farm Lambton.” An initial batch of tickets were claimed Monday but another approximately 400 will be available June 8, beginning at 9 a.m., Ranick said.
The event itself runs from 9 a.m. to noon, rain or shine, June 20 at the family dairy farm at 5378 Waterworks Rd., in Sarnia, where there will be exhibits from farm organizations, as well as tours of the dairy barns.
“We had tremendous feedback on the value and the quality of the farm tour last year,” Ranick said.
“Lots of really good questions were asked and answered, and helped to promote how well the animals are cared for on the farm.”
An Egg Farmers of Ontario trailer display will be at the event this year, along with samples of farm equipment provided by local dealers, and a new Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Grain Discovery Zone interactive display.
“Agriculture plays such a critical role in the economy and our local community,” Ranick said.
The event is aimed at letting Sarnia-Lambton residents know what modern farming is all about, and the value it adds to the local community.
“Over 80% of the farms in Canada are family farms, and I think that’s an important lesson to impart to people,” Ranick said.
The day is also an opportunity to celebrate locally grown and produced food available in Lambton County, she said.
The free breakfast is being provided by the event’s organizers and sponsors.
“People will not leave hungry,” Ranick said.
The menu includes eggs, sausage, pancakes, potatoes, apples, milk, “and real maple syrup, real butter and real cream for your coffee,” she said.
“It’s a real breakfast.”
~Paul Morden~
Sarnia Observer