TRURO - Feed a chicken, milk a goat and enjoy fresh local produce as farms across Colchester County welcome visitors for Open Farm Day on Sunday.
The annual event, which is held across the province, allows Nova Scotians the opportunity to meet local farmers and to see where their food comes from.
"Open Farm Day is a backstage pass for consumers to see, first-hand, the hard work, skill and dedication of our farmers," said Beth Densmore, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, in a news release. "It helps reconnect people to where their food is coming from."
In Nova Scotia, there are about 3,900 farms employing about 5,200 people. In 2011, the industry generated $539.7 million in farm cash receipts and $229 million in international exports. Dairy is the top revenue-generating sector, followed by fur and chicken. Eggs, cattle, blueberries, vegetables, floriculture, Christmas trees and apples each generated more than $10 million in farm gate revenues in 2011.
This year, 60 Nova Scotia farms are opening their gates and doors.
Events will be held at the following farms in Colchester County and nearby communities:
Rocaro Alpacas
Host: Rob Wood and Caroline Gregg
Farm Type: Alpaca
Address: 1745 Georgefield Road, Upper Kennetcook
Hours: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Porter's Equine Centre Limited
Host: Don, Marg, Tina Porter
Farm Type: Horse
Address: 16 Meadow View Drive, Stewiacke
Hours: 1 to 4 p.m.
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Upperbrook Farm & Harmeny Woolen Mill
Host: Greta and Ruth Mathewson
Farm Type: Purebred North Country Cheviot sheep, cattle and Christmas trees
Address: 989 Upper Brookside Road, Central North River
Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Sugar Moon Farm
Host: Quita Gray and Scott Whitelaw
Farm Type: Maple Products and Pancake House
Address: 221 Alex MacDonald Road, Earltown
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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Wallace Ridge Farm
Host: Jacqui and Allen Cole
Farm Type: Hop yard and market garden
Address: 35 McInnis Road, Malagash
Directions to the Farm: Rte 6 to McInnis Road, between Tatamagouche and Wallace
Hours: 12 to 4 p.m.
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Jost Vineyards
Host: Karen and Hans Jost
Farm Type: Winery
Address: 48 Vintage Lane, Malagash
Directions to the Farm: From Halifax, head north on 102 to 104, exit 11 to 4. Exit 8 to 307 to Wallace, right on hwy 6 and following signs to winery.
Hours: Noon and 3 p.m.
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Oliver Farm Botanicals
Host: Jamie and Fay Andrews
Farm Type: flower and herb producer
Address: 2116 Hwy 246, Tatamagouche
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Ebbett's Meadow Brook Farm
Host: Joe and Lorenda Ebbett
Farm Type: Mixed Livestock
Address: 8647 Highway 311, Balfron
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Green Dragon Organic Farm and B & B
Host: Gerunde Pilgrimm and Stephan Hederich
Farm Type: Mixed Farm: venison, goats, veggies
Address: 3082 Balmoral Road, Tatamagouche
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Lismore Sheep Farm
Host: John and Gillian Crawford
Farm Type: Sheep farm and wool shop
Address: 1389 Louisville Rd., River John,
County: Pictou
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Cochrane Family Farm
Farm Type: Mixed CSA and hog/poultry
Address: 5324 Hwy 289, Upper Stewiacke
Directions to the Farm: From Halifax or Truro, exit 12 Brookfield up 289 east for 26 km, on main road. From New Glasgow 50 km on 289 west off exit 20 on the 104.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
