Getting to know local farmers

By Rachel Vaarkamp

The Haldimand Press

HALDIMAND—In 2009, Harvests of Haldimand had a campaign to showcase what is grown in Haldimand and to educate the consumer. This campaign acted as a launchpad for the “Meet Your Local Farmer” event at the Caledonia Fair each year since. In today’s world, as more and more consumers grow up outside of a farm setting, the need for this education has grown exponentially.

On the Saturday of the Caledonia Fair weekend, local farmers and producers from across Haldimand and Norfolk come together in one spot for the attendees of the fair to ask their questions and, in some cases, try samples of what the area is able to produce. The first event in 2009 had farmers and producers of sweet corn, strawberries, maple syrup, eggs, dairy, beef, sheep, pork, goats, wine, greenhouse tomatoes, fruits, and vegetables, along with the Canadian Food Grains Bank and Harvests of Haldimand.