Thirty-nine New Brunswick farms will swing open their gates to the public on Sunday, September 16, for Open Farm Day.
"Open Farm Day provides the public with an opportunity to meet local farmers, see life on the farm, and find out how local food is produced," said federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "It's a great way for families to learn how Canadian farmers produce some of the highest-quality food in the world."
The agriculture industry plays an important role in creating jobs and keeping the economy strong. Canada is the world's fifth-largest exporter of agriculture and food products, with exports hitting an all-time high of more than $40 billion in 2011.
"Open Farm Day 2012 is an excellent opportunity for the public to explore farm operations throughout the province," said New Brunswick Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp. "I encourage everyone to come out and meet the farm families that are dedicated to the production of our agricultural food and products."
The agriculture and food industry is a leading industry in New Brunswick. Latest data report that this sector generated $532 million in farm cash receipts and a further $1.1 billion worth of processed food shipments in 2011.
A total of 125 farms in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick are participating in this year's Open Farm Day.
The event is being supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sobeys Inc., provincial governments, and agriculture awareness committees in the Maritimes.
"NB Open Farm Day 2012 is an excellent opportunity for consumers to visit farms, meet producers, expand their awareness of modern production and marketing practices, and learn why we have some of the best food in the world grown right here," said Jennifer MacDonald, Chair of the Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick's Promotion and Relations Committee.
