September 22, 2013

Learning about Farming at the Indoor CNE Farm

We learned lots of fabulous information when we went to the Farm at CNE just before school started this year. I love these types of hands on experiences, as children remember these more and become aware of their surroundings. Last year, we went to a wonderful event by Farmers Feed Cities at Riverdale Farm and learned lots about farm life, farm animals and got a chance to speak with many Ontario farmers. 
It is important that we teach our children about the importance of farmers, their hard work and how food comes to our table. As a family, we visit our local farms every summer, grow our own vegetables, flowers and fruits and read about farming. 
I like the initiatives Farmers Feed Cities take each year to keep teaching our children about how important it is for us to learn about where our food comes from.
My children enjoyed different types of activities such as planting a seed, milking, riding a horse carriage, fishing and more inside the CNE Farm.
In 2011, I have had the pleasure of going to a dairy farm in Ontario to learn the process of organic dairy farming. This year at the CNE Farm, my children got to go through many parts of farming life including milking a model cow.

Here are some cool information we learned...

Food products from a cow
  • In the dairy farming industry the breeds of cattle used are Holstein, Jersey, Aryshire, Brown Swiss, Guernesy and Milking Shorthorn. 
  • 98% of the cow is used, not only for food... click on the images to make it big and see

Industrial, health, recreation products from a cow
  • Mother Ewes can give birth up to 3 or more lambs at one time. Lambs stay with their mother for 4 to 5 months.
  • Sheep feed from the land, then recycle nutrients back to the soil and provide people with food, clothing and shelter. 
  • Lambs are considered fully grown at 6 months. Sheep can grow fine, medium and coarse wool.
  • Sow is an adult female pig and a boar is an adult male pig that is kept for breeding purposes. Runt is the smallest piglet in the litter. Gilt is a female pig that has never been farrowed or given birth.
  • China has been practicing farm fishing for 3500 years, which is the earliest records of farm fishing. 
  • Rainbow tout is the main species farmed in Ontario.
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27 comments:

  1. A lot of interesting information, thanks for sharing!

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  2. Looks like a lot of fun! Can't wait to take my children when they are older!

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  3. We were there too, lots of fun and activities.

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  4. We decided to focus on the agricultural aspects of our annual local Fall Fair this month and spent time teaching our kids about farming. They got to milk a plastic cow. My sister works on a farm so we get the opportunity to go check out the operations there. We live in what used to be (even 10 years ago) primarily a farming town but in the last 5 years (especially) there are more and more city folk and less and less farmers :(

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  5. Oh wow! What a very very cool looking event to attend! It's always so interesting (and helpful!) to know more about what you are eating and support the local farmers!

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  6. I take my kids to aggie days which is the Calgary version and they love it! Farming is so important to our society and needs to be appreciated more!

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  7. My grandkids would have loved this and so would have I actually!

    thanks

    Rafflecopter Name is Anne Taylor

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  8. It looks like you can learn a lot from visiting this place,

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  9. I won tickets to the CNE last year and checked out that same Farming area.

    Was really interesting, My daughter enjoyed seeing all the live animals.

    SueSueper Sue

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  10. What a great place for the kids to learn and have fun

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  11. I wish we had something like this in my area to take my kids to. It looks like a great time!

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  12. I wish we had something like this in BC! it looks like so much fun!

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  13. Looks like it was a great place to learn while having some fun! (Judy Cowan)

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  14. Wish I lived closer so I could take my grandson.

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  15. Wow... Who knew? Thanks for sharing!

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  16. my boys would love to go!looks like I should move to ON.
    Lynn M

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  17. I love this part of the CNE the best I always learn TONS and it is so interesting how farmers feed us!

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  18. Thanks for this post, I learned a lot!

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  19. This was my kids' favourite part of the CNE.

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  20. This is the BEST part of the CNE imo.

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  21. Animals + kids = PHOTO OP!
    :)

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  22. So much to see and learn!

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  23. Love to have this around my area. I would visit. Thank you

    Florence C

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Thank you for commenting :)