Islanders are invited to meet their local farmers and find out what’s happening in agriculture in the province during Open Farm Day in Atlantic Canada on Sunday, September 18.
Over 30 PEI farms are participating in this year’s annual event, including crop and livestock operations, vineyards and orchards.
A complete list of participating farms is posted on the PEI Agriculture Awareness Committee webpage: www.peiagsc.ca/openfarmday
Quick Facts
• Open Farm Day is funded in part through Growing Forward 2, the five-year (2013-2018) policy framework agreement between the federal and provincial governments.
• Last year, 14,000 visitors participated in Open Farm Day, visiting 28 locations that represented traditional and unique areas of Island agriculture.
• The agriculture industry in PEI generated $467 million in farm cash receipts in 2015. With 1.4 million acres of land on the Island, approximately 594,000 acres are used in agriculture production.
• There are more than 8,500 farms and more than one million hectares of farmland in Atlantic Canada.
Quotes
“For many Canadians, the story of their food begins at the grocery food store. Open Farm Day is a great reminder that the story begins on the farm. I encourage Islanders to see first-hand the dedication and pride our local farm families take in producing the highest-quality food and products and the contribution they make to our economy and way of life.”
Federal Agricultural Minister, Lawrence MacAulay
"Open Farm Day continues to be an annual summer highlight for Islanders. It is an opportunity to see first-hand how local producers create the high-quality products that we all enjoy and recognize the key role farmers play in our provincial economy. We should all take advantage of this inside-look at the hard work and care that goes into producing great tasting products here on Prince Edward Island.”
PEI Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Alan McIsaac
"Open Farm Day is an incredible opportunity for consumers to discover rural PEI and how their food is produced by having the chance to meet and speak directly to the farmers. The day is designed to encourage visits from people of all ages, but especially to give families the opportunity to explore and learn about agriculture together!"
-Rayanne Frizzell, Open Farm Day Coordinator