Open Farm Day will officially kick off the fourth annual Farm and Food Awareness Week on Sunday, September 16, 2018.

“Open Farm Day provides an excellent opportunity for Manitobans of all ages to get out and visit a number of sites across the province,” said Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler. “Visiting local farms is an excellent way for everyone to learn more about how and where their food is produced.”

Open Farm Day, organized by the Manitoba Association of Agricultural Societies (MAAS), allows guests to visit 42 participating host sites where they will have the opportunity to learn about modern agriculture with farmers, learn about the food and other products grown, raised or made there, and have a unique educational experience. Many sites include demonstrations, markets, tours and other recreational activities. More information, including a map of all participating host farms, is available at www.openfarmday.ca.

“MAAS is pleased to present Open Farm Day 2018 with 42 host sites across the province, connecting Manitobans with farms, agribusinesses and rural experiences,” said Donna Sagin, president, MAAS. “This opportunity to visit host sites and touch, taste, see and hear agriculture in action helps create a true appreciation of array of food production in Manitoba.”

The theme of the fourth annual Manitoba Farm and Food Awareness week is The Story Behind Our Food, aimed to educate Manitobans about food production, and agriculture and farming practices. Special events taking place during Farm and Food Awareness Week include:

  • Agriculture in the Classroom – Manitoba’s Amazing Agriculture Adventure (AAA) takes place Sept. 18 to 20 at Richardson International’s Kelburn Farm and the University of Manitoba’s Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre. More than 1,000 Grade 5 students and teachers will have the opportunity to learn more about where food comes from and modern agriculture through a number of different hands-on stations.
  • Farm to School Manitoba – kicking off its ninth year at Technical Vocational High School in Winnipeg, this event will launch the Farm to School program, which involves approximately 270 schools fundraising through the sale of fresh, locally grown vegetables. The Manitoba government will proclaim Sept. 19 as Local Veggie Day in support.
  • Great Manitoba Food Fight – Manitoba entrepreneurs with creative ideas for new foods and alcoholic beverages will compete in the Great Manitoba Food Fight on Sept. 19 at DeLuca’s in Winnipeg. The Great Manitoba Food Fight is an annual event that supports small and medium-sized agri-processors in Manitoba and helps to accelerate the rate of commercialization and growth in the food and beverage sector. New and innovative food products will be judged by an expert panel, with four product development prizes available to help bring their creations to the marketplace. For more information, visit www.gmff.ca.