Open Farm Day tours share old and new ways of producing food

Open farm day took place across our region Sept. 21 and it gave consumers and farmers the opportunity to grow the field to table -- or buy local -- premise with a hands-on approach.

Young Andrew Manning may not be a fan of broccoli, but he can tell you if an eggplant is of the fruit or vegetable variety. He, along with sister Caylene, were the tour hosts at the Manning Family Farm Market that day and gave visitors a lesson on how all that fresh local produce is grown.

From Jade, the family equine pet, to the four bulls and a raft of beef cattle, the farm also produces an abundance of field and greenhouse grown crops.

Owner Dean Manning says product diversity is key for farmers if they want to compete with the larger grocery stores. “Fifteen years ago we didn't have the variety we have now. It used to be that people came for cukes and tomatoes, but now they are looking for more.” Hence the eggplant.

He said events such as these help promote local farm markets and more importantly give the public an opportunity to see where their food comes from. “We take for granted the basics like growing a garden but for so many they have gotten away from it for so long they've forgotten.”

Producing food locally he said helps to build stronger, sustainable communities and is good economics all the way around.

Farther a-field, Maple Lane Farm in Greenhill opened their gates that day, as well. The family-owned and operated farm hosts a natural meats and feed products store and a year-round petting zoo. Despite the previous year’s pork crisis, Lori Canavan-Reid says they are still committed to producing quality local meat products such as lamb, beef and pork.

The store also markets products from other local farms that Reid says also support growing the old-fashioned way, which for them means no animal by-products or hormones. “We just use grain, sunshine, wind and dirt,” she said.

Their farms fresh sausages hit the grill that day drawing visitors from the Metro area like Pat MacLain and her granddaughter, Taylor, who really enjoyed feeding the Suffolk sheep, emus and goats. “This is great,” she said. “I can’t wait to come again.”