Editorial: Having a rural voice
OPINION: The past few weeks have been tough on farms across the North Island: floods and storms have caused damage and disruption to families and businesses.
The farmer lobby says the event is a great way to escape the city and see what goes on behind the farm gate.
"This is the fourth annual Federated Farmers Farm Day. We hope the public will take the opportunity to visit one of our six host farms to discover what farmers do," says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers president.
"Farm Day is a fun filled family day out. Our six participating provinces are holding a lot more child friendly activities in 2012.
"The truth is children are our future and with so many people these days never having visited a farm, it is more important than ever that our kids see for themselves what drives the Kiwi way of life.
"So grab your kids and get them on to a farm to see cows getting milked, sheep shearing and mustering, a petting zoo and even a Fonterra tanker in action."
It also hopes that Farm Day will help correct some of the misunderstandings that surround farming.
"We all know that farming is important for the New Zealand economy. Farmers are keen to show others what they do and what makes New Zealand farms some of the most productive and environmentally sustainable in the world.
"Some of our venues, like the Heather's Rotorua/Taupo farm, combine dairy and meat and fibre operations. That venue is surrounded by trout filled streams, being in Rotorua's famous Paradise Valley Road."
At Auckland's Farm Day in Karaka, a Fonterra tanker and several dairy based products will be on show. The farm also features an electronic cow shed.
At Bay of Plenty's Farm Day kids will get the chance to experience a working farm in action, find the lolly in the hay stack and take part in a gum boot run.
At Manawatu's Farm Day visitors will be treated to sharemilker Jason Halford milking his favourite cows 245 and 71.
Wellington's Farm Day at Battle Hill Forest Park, a sheep, beef and deer farm, will offer the public a chance to pat some Mohair goats, calves and lambs.
At Christchurch's Farm Day people will get to see one of Landcorp's research farms in action.
"We are proud that Farm Day has made it into its fourth year and that more and more people are turning up to our host farms each year," says Wills
Federated Farmers Farm Days;
Auckland - Murray and Mary Shaw and Graham Shaw, 66 Biddick Road, Karaka
Bay of Plenty - Andrew and Robyn McLeod and Noel Marilyn, 1189 Welcome Bay Rd, Papamoa.
Rotorua - Taupo - Heather and Barugh Heather and Neil Heather, 945 Paradise Rd, Rotorua.
Manawatu (Palmerston North) - John Seymour, 843 Poplar Rd, Opiki.
Wellington - Greater Wellington Regional Council, Battle Hill Forest Park, Paekakariki Hill Rd.
Christchurch - Landcorp Farming Limited, Eyrewell Station, 175 Downs Rd, Eyrewell.
To find out more about Federated Farmers Farm Day or to get directions to the host farms visit www.farmday.co.nz.
