Agriculture Featured at Museum of Natural History

Students in grades primary to 8 will learn about sustainable farming in Nova Scotia and the role farmers play in keeping the environment healthy when they visit an agriculture exhibition at the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History in Halifax.

The event will be held from Monday, June 8, to Friday, June 19.

"Know Farms, Know Food is the theme of the event, which is geared to helping students explore where their food comes from and understanding what is involved in producing the food they eat," said Judy Grant, agricultural awareness co-ordinator with the Department of Agriculture. "We want to challenge young people to think about the impact their food choices can make, both in economic and environmental terms."

On Monday, June 8 and Tuesday, June 9, grade 7 and 8 students will face off with their classmates in an Ag Jeopardy game designed to test their knowledge of environmental farm practices. During the game, virtual experts will provide information on farming and on a variety of career options available in agriculture. The Ecology Action Centre will lead students in activities designed to stimulate thought and discussion about the food system.

Primary to grade 6 students will visit the museum between Wednesday, June 10, and Friday, June 19. A wide range of interactive exhibits will be on display, including a miniature farm, hatching chicks and live beneficial insects.

The public is invited to visit the exhibit throughout the event.

"The museum is delighted to collaborate with our colleagues in the Department of Agriculture and their partners in hosting our annual June school programming event," said Janet Maltby, Museum of Natural History manager. "This year's focus on food production is an important issue for many Nova Scotians and we are pleased to be a public forum for raising awareness and stimulating discussion between students, their teachers and families."

Henry Vissers, executive director, Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture said: "It is important for children to learn about where their food comes from. Many of the students visiting the museum over the next couple weeks will be two and three generations removed from primary food production."

Know Farms, Know Food is presented by the Department of Agriculture and the Museum of Natural History in partnership with the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, Ecology Action Centre, Nova Scotia Young Farmer's Forum and the Environmental Farm Plan team.