Farm-Scape is sponsored by Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork Play Audio Farm-Scape is a Wonderworks Canada production and is distributed courtesy of Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork.

Farm-Scape, Episode 1478

'Thru the Farm Gate' at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Brandon is allowing the urban public a hands on opportunity to learn about the province's livestock industry from livestock producers. The six day Royal Manitoba Winter Fair Winter Fair in Brandon kicked off yesterday.

The event is the largest of the city's three annual agricultural fairs and features a strong educational component.

The 'Thru the Farm Gate' display is coordinated by the Manitoba Farm Animal Council and is intended to allow an increasingly urban public to learn more about agriculture from actual farmers.

Farm Animal Council Executive Director Alayna Giesbrecht says farmers are the best people to ask questions about agriculture.

"Manitoba Farm Animal Council makes up the livestock commodity portion of the exhibit. M-FAC is responsible for five displays, the Manitoba milk producers, equine ranchers, Manitoba Pork Council, egg producers and Manitoba Broiler Hatching Egg Commission.

Each display basically has interactive material inside. It's an opportunity for visitors to see how farm animals are raised in Manitoba.

There are producers working at each exhibit so consumers have an opportunity to talk to producers, actually talk to farmers and ask them the questions they have about animal safety, food safety, animal welfare, etceteras.

Then each exhibit offers something for kids, especially something that's interactive, something they can learn about agriculture, as well as seeing and viewing and experiencing the animals.

People think that farmers have the best information. They know why their food is safe and they know why animals are raised the way they are and it's the best place to come an talk to a farmer".

Giesbrecht says the interactive 'Thru the Farm Gate' display allows both children and adults to see what modern farming practices are like and where their food comes from.

She adds its format is similar to the 'Touch the Farm' display which the Manitoba Farm Animal Council coordinates each year at Winnipeg's Red River Exhibition.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.