Free food to learn about farming: that’s a pretty good deal.
Saturday was the third annual Breakfast on the Farm Lambton but the first time the event was hosted at a new location, explained Tracy Ranick, community economic development officer with the Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corp. (SLBDC). The previous two were held at Kevin and Melissa Forbes’ dairy farm, not far from this year’s location at Brian and Joan Pelleboer’s mixed-use operation featuring goat dairy, beef cattle and crop production on Confederation Line near Mandaumin Road.
Kevin brought the idea of hosting to the Pelleboers, Ranick said.
“It took a little convincing, and they’ve actually even said they’re happy to host it in the future again because they had such a great time hosting,” she said.
Breakfast and the various activities were free through sponsorships, but tickets for the 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. event had to be registered in advance.
It started three years ago when SLBDC joined forces with the Egg Farmers of Ontario and the Lambton Federation of Agriculture, Ranick explained.
“The three of us kind of put our heads together,” she said, adding several other agricultural organizations and associations have come on board since. “It’s everybody working their connections and their contacts to make sure we have enough to cover our expenses, and then we can offer it free.”
However, donations were accepted towards local 4-H clubs.
“We’re hoping to get at least $2,000, which is what we’ve done in the past,” she said.
Besides the food, there were field and barn tours, agri-magician Daniel Steep and farm buddies by The Painted Cat.
“Basically to introduce non-farmers to farming,” Joan said. “We invite them to the farm, show them around and answer any questions they have. See what a real-life working farm is all about.”
Goats were a popular attraction, Joan added.
“I’m totally sold on the idea of Breakfast on the Farm,” said Brian, who purchased the farm with Joan 32 years ago. “That’s why we’re doing it.”
The emphasis was on local products, too, as the pancake mix, for example, was milled nearby.
“It’s an event to promote agriculture, the importance of agriculture in our economy,” Ranick said, adding committee members Scott and Brooke Leystra donated the pigs that were processed into the sausage.
“It’s all a circle of everybody doing what they can to put the event together,” she said.
They fed 750 ticket holders – children under age five didn’t require tickets – and their volunteers.
“Upwards of 800, for sure,” she said.
~Terry Bridge~
Sarnia Observer