Where does my food come from? Who grows my food? What’s it like to be a farmer? How can we build a sustainable future for local farming? The Southern Vancouver Island Direct Farm Marketing Association has organized “Tour of Farms 2011” so consumers can find answers to these important questions – and have some summer fun at the same time. The “Tour of Farms” will be held on Sunday, July 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free, family-oriented, self-guided event includes 15 farm sites on the Saanich Peninsula and through the Cowichan Valley, as well as Morningstar Farm in Parksville. The event offers food consumers a chance to enjoy a rural ramble, to learn more about what it’s like to be a farmer today and how they can help build a future for local agriculture.
The Tour of Farms has been taking place in Greater Victoria and Cowichan Valley since 1999. The event is organized by the Southern Island Direct Farm Marketing Association, a non-profit association of more than 75 growers and producers on Vancouver Island who sell their farm and vineyard products directly to consumers. The major activities of the association include publication of the annual “Farm Fresh” consumers guide in April, management of its website, organization of the annual “Tour of Farms” in July, and participation in a special Farmers’ Market at the historic Saanich Fair on the Labour Day weekend.
For more details about Tour of Farms 2011 and tour maps, visit the Direct Farm Marketing website at www.islandfarmfresh.com (after June 15) or call Dan’s Farm at 250-652-9100.
Submitted by Robert Thompson
Island Farmers' Alliance 