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FREDERICTON, N.B., September 16, 2015 – Thousands of people are expected at farms across New Brunswick for Open Farm Day 2015 on Sunday, September 20th, as participating farmers open their doors to the public.

 

48 participating farms located throughout the province will be opening their doors to the public. Visitors of all ages will be able to get up close to farm animals, watch cows being milked, pick fruit, learn how food is produced, learn about farming practices, take wagon rides and even compete in a hay bale throwing competition. Visitors will also see parts of farming that don’t immediately come to mind when they think about agriculture, such as new technologies and practices.

 

Quick Facts

 

  • 2015 is the event’s 15th year anniversary.
  • The event is organized by the Agricultural Alliance of NB and is kindly sponsored by the province of New Brunswick.
  • The primary agriculture sector already contributes over $600 million to the provincial economy.
  • New Brunswick primary agriculture contributes to approximately 4,100 full-time equivalents jobs, while the agri-food processing sector contributes to approximately 6,100 full-time equivalents jobs

 

Quotes

 

“I encourage everyone to explore the Open Farm Day events in their communities, sample delicious local foods and show their support. Our agriculture and aquaculture sectors are important economic drivers, creating thousands of seasonal and full-time jobs for New Brunswickers to support their families,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Rick Doucet. “I salute the Open Farm Day participants throughout the province for opening their farm gates to their respective communities.”

 

 

“Open Farm Day is a unique opportunity for people of all ages. The event provides for a wonderful family activity.  Most people rarely get to experience being on a farm, see how a farm operates and ask questions directly to producers on how food and other agri-products get to the store. Visitors are enthralled from all they see and learn. Producers who participated in the past say that Open Farm Day is the best day of the year to interact with and educate consumers” said Mike Bouma, Agricultural Alliance of NB President.

 

A list of Open Farm Day locations in New Brunswick is available at: www.fermenbfarm.ca and more information is available at facebook.com/fermenbfarm

 

 

For more information, media may contact:

 

 

Nicole Arseneau, Office Manager OR  

Theresa Demont, Open Farm Day   Co-Ordinator

Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick

Fredericton

506 452-8101

e-mail: alliance@fermeNBfarm.ca

Elaine Bell

New Brunswick Department of Agriculture Aquaculture and Fisheries

Fredericton

506-453-2666

e-mail: elaine.bell@gnb.ca