Small Farm Expo approaching

Jul 16, 2015

Expo will take place Monday, July 20

Have you been farming for years? Are you a new farmer? Do you wish to one day be a farmer?

Whatever your level of farming experience is, there’s sure to be something for you at the 6^th annual Small Farm Expo, scheduled to take place Monday, July 20^th at the Bridgewater Exhibition Grounds in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.

Small farm

The expo will investigate how small-scale farmers use today’s technology, farm business and marketing skills with the traditional farm practices of yesterday.

The expo will also feature a variety of workshops, including:

Goats and cheese making
Jams and jellies
Bread and baking
Haskap production
Sausage making
Garlic 101
Heritage livestock
Pastured beef
Food safety
Getting started in organic farming
Small-scale beekeeping
South-short grape growing

"Farmer-led workshops provide new farmers with a great opportunity to learn from seasoned veterans in the agriculture community,” said Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz in a release.” Our Government is proud to partner with the Province to help give Nova Scotia farmers access to the tools they need to grow their business and our overall economy.”

Events like these can help bridge the gap between experienced and beginning farmers, which can help the agriculture industry succeed in the future.

"The type of connections formed at events like this, between experienced farmers and new farmers continue to build our agricultural industry,” said Nova Scotia Agriculture Minister Keith Colwell. “This expo creates stronger ties and partnerships in the agriculture community, which is all part of the growth we are seeing in the agricultural sector in Nova Scotia."

Interested parties must register by Saturday, July 18^th.

About Nova Scotia agriculture:

The industry contributed $595.4 million in 2013, up 2.6% from 2012
Dairy, fur and poultry account for about 58% of cash receipts
There are approximately 3900 farms in Nova Scotia
Primary agriculture employed 5,361 people in 2012
Mink is Nova Scotia’s largest export ($124.2 million)
International Ag exports are valued around $359 million

Are you going to attend the Small Farm Expo? What kinds of workshops and information are you looking forward to?

Video: Air Command Section Control for Pro-Force Spreaders

This patented section control system uses air to divert material on to different areas of the spinner disks for precise 4-section control, for an economical design by eliminating the need for added conveyor belts or movable spreader components. The section control uses the Raven RCM ISOBUS controller and a customer’s field boundary and coverage map to automatically turn off any of the four sections at any time to avoid applying valuable fertilizer in areas where it’s not needed.

This results in fertilizer savings which means more money in your pocket for a maximum Return On Investment. The powerful blower fan sends air through a 4-section manifold while the conveyor automatically speeds up or slows down as sections are turned on or off for consistent and precise fertilizer application.

• The revolutionary patented Air Command section control utilizes a pneumatic system to accurately place fertilizer onto the spinner disks to give you individualized 4-section control of your spread pattern.

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• The new Air Command section control option is available on pull-type models 2250 and 1850 with the new PTO drive system, and on 1450, 1250 and 1050 pull-type models with standard single hydraulics.

• Continue to do it all with the Unverferth pull-type Pro-Force Spreader. Use the Air Command section control for spreading fertilizer and in-seeding applications, while converting to single-section lime or litter application in a matter of minute