Event Celebrates Small-scale Farming

New, aspiring and experienced farmers will have an opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills at farmer-led workshops and demonstrations at the fifth annual Small Farm Expo.

The event will take place on Monday, July 28, at the Gaelic College in St. Anns, Victoria Co. Participants will discover how small-scale farmers are building on traditional farming knowledge and practices using modern production technology, farm business management and marketing.

"This event gives new and aspiring farmers the opportunity to meet with experienced farmers and learn first-hand from technical experts," said Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell. "Agriculture plays a key role in Nova Scotia's rural economy and opportunities like this help to strengthen and grow the sector."

Workshops include:

• Tunnels for Vegetable Production
• Creating a Bee-friendly Farm
• Introduction to Growing Wine Grapes in Cape Breton
• Getting Started in Commercial Cheesemaking
• Efficient Product Distribution: Getting Your Farm's Goods into Consumers' Hands
• Introduction to Free-range Chicken Production
• Farm Product Pricing
• Small-scale Mixed Vegetable Production
• Lessons Learned in Marketing My Small Farm
• Value-adding Produce

During the lunch break, local food will be available, as well as sessions on fencing, sheep shearing, a seed demonstration and iron smithing. There will also be trade-show booths and forage and soil clinics with agricultural experts available to answer questions.

"It's exciting to be going into our fifth year," said Adam Wile, agricultural transition officer and event organizer for the Department of Agriculture. "We have more beginning farmers in Nova Scotia, and it is important that we find ways to build connections between these new farmers and our more experienced and knowledgeable farmers."

For more information, contact Adam Wile at 902-863-2087 or wilean@gov.ns.ca, or visit http://novascotia.ca/thinkfarm .