Ontario Pork’s Pig Mobile was on display at this year’s iFarm event in Stratford
By Kate Ayers
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Ontario Pork’s Pig Mobile made an appearance at an iFarm event to teach students about pork production in the province.
The Perth County Agricultural Association hosted iFarm last week at the Stratford Agriplex building.
The annual event provides local students and community members with an opportunity to learn about the sources of their food and how it is produced.
“We think it is really important that it is farmers talking directly to members of the public, whether that’s students or adult consumers,” Stacey Ash, manager of communications and consumer marketing for Ontario Pork, said to Farms.com on Thursday.
Consumers really need to learn about agriculture from those directly involved in the industry, she added.
Ontario Pork producers and staff volunteered their time to accompany the Pig Mobile, educate the public and answer questions.
“For many of these kids, it’s the first time they’ve seen live pigs,” Ash said.
“The focus is partly on sharing farming practices for an increasingly urban audience; letting them know about some of the work that farmers do, and the work that is involved in raising and caring for animals.”
Volunteers also highlighted “some fun facts about pigs.”
The Pig Mobile is equipped with a pig map, showing the diversity of breeds and expanding beyond the stereotypical “pink pig.”
“One thing that we always find of particular interest to kids is a map that we have of some of the different types of pigs that can be raised for food,” Ash said.
“It’s interesting for students to learn a bit more about different breeds of animals.”
iFarm and the Pig Mobile play a critical role in closing the gap between producers and consumers, as well as providing important information about food production in Ontario.
“It’s really about making sure that vital connection between farming and food isn’t lost. We know that, with each passing generation, people are further and further removed from farming,” Ash said.
“It’s important that each new generation understands the value of farming and that food doesn’t just come on a Styrofoam tray wrapped in plastic at the grocery store – there’s a process behind that.
“And there is a lot of care that goes into raising that food.”
iFarm also featured poultry, grain and dairy producers.