Include Breakfast on the Farm in Canada Day weekend activities on July 2.  A breakfast prepared by the Bayfield Lions Club will be served from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Steenbeek Dairy Farms 38968 Mill Road, just east of Varna.  Self-guided tours of the 300 milking herd operation will take place whenever people wish to tour the barn facility that morning.  Numerous display boards and several people will be along the route to answer any questions.

Pets and smoking are not allowed on site.  Shoes or running shoes are recommended when going through the barn. 

Some tickets will be kept in reserve at the event site for people who decide to come at the last moment or they can be purchased in advance from Stonefield Garden Centre, or calling 482-3020, or ordering through info@bayfieldfair.ca.  The cost is $7 for anyone older than 5 years of age.

The parking will now be in the field in front of the shed where the breakfast will be served.  Guides will be on site to direct drivers where to park.

The event will be a learning experience as well as a nourishing one.  Behind that dairy barn door each cow gives an average of 30 litres of milk a day.  Can you imagine providing each cow 11 kilograms of hay, 16 kilograms of silage and grain, 2 kilograms of protein supplement, minerals and salt, as well as 80-180 litres of water a day?  Samples of the supplements will be on display.  The size of the milk tank in the barn to hold milk from 300 cows is only dwarfed by the milk truck which will be on site also.

There will be many display booths set up from commodity groups, agricultural boards, and producers of our local food.  There will be a bouncy cow for the children to play in and papers and booklets for them to colour and read later.  Parents can pick up a sign that can be placed at their gate saying “Childen at Play”. 

July 2 is an opportunity to celebrate our rural community by learning about the dairy industry in the most productive county in Ontario, eating a hearty breakfast, and meeting neighbours and friends at Breakfast on the Farm.

Having a hearty breakfast and then touring a dairy farm is an option the family can partake in very soon.  On July 2 from 8:30 to 11:30 am. breakfast served outdoors will be available at the Steenbeek Dairy Farms just East of Varna.  The Bayfield Lions Club will be preparing breakfast for a limited number of people.  Tables will be set up in a nearby shed where everyone is able to eat under cover.

Tours of the 300 milking herd operation will take place all morning for anyone coming to the farm.  Opportunities to have a look behind modern barn doors is rare and this visit all visitors will have their questions answered as well.  Parking will be on a cement pad behind the shed and the tours start nearby.  Pets and smoking are not permitted on the farm.  Shoes or running shoes are recommended for the tours.

“Breakfast on the Farm” is supported by the local milk, egg, pork, and grain producers.  Gay Lea has provided a bouncy cow for the children to play in while waiting for the tours or following their tours.  Several displays will also be available to learn about what a cow would eat and there will be displays of some of the machinery needed for planting or looking after the crops.  A milk truck will be there demonstrating how much milk is hauled to the milk depots.  There will be many handouts that can be taken which help explain where and how our food is grown and how it is processed.  There will be a booklet that everyone might use to look at how safe everything is around where we live.

Tickets are available at Stonefield Garden Centre, calling 519-482-9296, or ordering online at info@bayfieldfair.ca.  Tickets may be available at the farm on July 2 but tours will be held for everyone.  This event is a great opportunity for taking your Canada Day guests and informing them about agriculture in our local community –part of the most productive area in Ontario.  This breakfast-tour activity is being organized by the Bayfield Agricultural Society with massive cooperation by the Steenbeek family.

Food always seems to be a major focus for the Bayfield Ag Society.  The Ribs Fest is a very popular new venture at the Bayfield Fair.  This year, to reflect suggestions from last year’s fest, there will be four groups preparing the ribs.  This year Caitlyn Vail of Cait’s Kitchen in Goderich and Pat and Kevin from Pat & Kevin’s on the Square in Goderich will join Devin Tabor of Bon Vivant and Brian Garnet of Let the Flames Begin.  One group is talking about using secret ingredients to make theirs the best.  The committee is hoping this will be the best year yet for Ribs Fest.

The Bayfield Agricultural Society promotes greater awareness of agriculture for all ages.  It has been active for 160 years and depends on the support of the community.  If anyone wishes to be involved as a volunteer or leader, the Society would be pleased to hear from you at info@bayfieldfair.ca.

Wonderful weather has greeted visitors to the Outdoor Market in Agricultural Park for the last couple of Sundays.  About three vendors have food for sale –fresh rhubarb and asparagus are being sold along with preserves and fresh baking.  There are plenty of booths for people to browse.  There are dishes, books, old tools, license plates, baskets, vintage toys, kitchen utensils and furniture for sale.

The “Breakfast on the Farm” activity will take place on July 2 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Steenbeek Dairy Farms east of Varna.  A tour of the dairy operation will complement a hearty breakfast.  There will be lots of parking very near the breakfast site.  If anyone wishes to volunteer, please contact info@bayfieldfair.ca.

The next meeting of the Ag Society will be Monday June 13 at 7 pm. in the basement of St. Andrew’s United Church.  It is planned to finalize the fair’s schedule of activities at the meeting.  Once again volunteers are always welcome.