From Sheep to Cabbage: Experience Empire Farm Days

Children enjoy playing in the grain box at the New York Farm Bureau exhibit at Empire Farm Days; credit: NY Farm Bureau.

Seneca Falls, NY - One of several new exhibits at the Farm Bureau Family Center at the August 7-9, 2012 Empire Farm Days at Rodman Lott & Son Farms in Seneca Falls, NY, shines a light on New York sheep and cabbage production. The “Wheel of Agriculture” knowledge game has been updated with new questions with a special focus on sheep and cabbage, and special prizes. Another new exhibit features the diversity of careers to be found in the agricultural industry.

New York Farm Bureau’s insurance partner, Nationwide, is providing a special safety education center exhibit that will complement the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) showcase that is part of the Farm Bureau Family Center complex. Staff from NYCAMH will be in the Farm Bureau Family Center with interactive farm hazards displays and ergonomic tools, including prototypes being tested on farms in New York. NYCAMH staff will have daily prize drawings and farm safety coloring books for the children

The complex also includes the Dryden Sertoma Club offering free hearing screenings.

Anyone who operates a tractor will want to pick up information on rollover protection and the ROPS (Rollover Protective Structure) Rebate program that offers up to $865 toward the cost of retrofitting a tractor with the safety feature.

A new “Name the Grain” game features information about New York’s grain production.

The grain box play area is popular with visitors with children who can play while the adults take the “Tour of New York Agriculture” around the perimeter of the tent with agricultural heritage and novel product exhibits by the state’s even-numbered Farm Bureau Districts.

Migrant Education Program representatives will be on hand to answer questions at the program information board with literature about the program and eligibility guidelines.

The Farm Bureau Family Center’s Success Showcase features the New York State National Farm City Award winners: the Cattaraugus County Farm Bureau and its Our County Fair Ag Discovery Tent and the Chenango County Farm Bureau “Savor the Flavor” project; and the New York Farm Bureau Promotion & Education Award winner: Genesee County Farm Bureau and “The Cruisin’ Classroom.”

Visitors can enjoy popcorn and juice while learning about the multitude of New York Farm Bureau services and member programs.

Empire Farm Days is held on 300 acres at the Rodman Lott & Son Farm in Seneca Falls, NY, and includes DairyProfit Seminars, live animals, Equine Center Round Pen demonstrations, farm safety and family life displays and activities, 600-plus representatives of agricultural institutions and organizations; tractor, and ATV test drives, and chicken, beef & pork BBQ. For more information: Empire Farm Days Manager Melanie Wickham, 877-697-7837, mwickham@empirefarmdays.com.

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