The Seine-Rat River Conservation District (SRRCD) is excited at the invitation to co-host an Open Farm Days on September 15th, 2019 with Cliff and Dorothy from CD Trees. Open Farm Day is where farmers open up their farms for you to the public.
Open Farm Days are a great way for the public to learn about Manitoba farm operations and get questions answered such as how they go about producing the food we eat and the steps producers take to maintain the environmental stewardship their land. These tours also provide the opportunity for the public to try the food that is being produced and participate in activities that are part of everyday farm life. Want to milk a cow? Pick a pumpkin? Or learn about Christmas Trees? Open Farm Day is a great way to know your neighbors.
The SRRCD will be with CD Trees/Redpoll Farms for this year’s Open Farm Day. CD Trees/Redpoll Farms has been a SRRCD partner on past included a water retention area built in 2006 to reduce local flooding by storing water. An educational “swamp walk” was built in 2014, where the public can view the Herschfeld swamp wetland ecosystem in action. You can visit with SRRCD district staff for more information on the projects that have taken place at CD Trees or on any of our numerous programs that benefit farmers within Southeast Manitoba, all while enjoying a trailer ride around the farm and through the marshland.
Control structure for the water retention at CD Trees
Another participant in Open Farms Days, Kismet Creek Farm is located across the road from CD Trees/Redpoll Farms and has also been a SRRCD partner. In 2018, Kismet Creek Farm installed a retention pond on their property to also hold water back from flowing into the Manning Canal watershed. Kismet Creek Farm also fenced off riparian areas to keep their livestock out of the waterway. Excluding the livestock from riparian area helped reduced stream bank erosion, enhancing riparian habitat for wildlife, improving water quality and herd health.
Come out for the afternoon to say hi and grab a bit to eat! We’d love to tour you around at one of our longest standing water retention projects and introduce you to Cliff and Dorothy.
CD Trees/Redpoll Farms
Hosts: Cliff and Dorothy
Contact: 204-326-622/ www.cdtrees.com www.redpollfarms.com
Hours: 11 am to 5 pm
Tour Information: Christmas Tree Farm tour and Environmental Marshland tour. Visitors will be able to purchase products, jams, pickles and seasonal garden produce. Lunch available.
Directions: After leaving Steinbach, travel 10 km (5 miles) South on Hwy #12. Turn east (left) on Rd29N. Go 1.6 km (1 mile) to a Stop sign. Then turn South (right) on Rd 35E. Then .5 km (.3 mile) South on 35 E. Look for sign.
Civic Address: 28141 Rd 35E
Kismet Creek Farm
Hosts: Karl & Raelle Schoenrock
Contact: 204-381-7766
Hours: 11 am to 5 pm
Tour Information: Tours of the petting farm/animal sanctuary. The have goats, sheep, alpacas, miniature donkeys, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, rabbits, pigs, horses and steers. There will be hands-on activities and opportunities to learn about the different species and share their amazing rescue stories.
Directions: After leaving Steinbach, travel 10 km (5 miles) South on Hwy #12. Turn east (left) on Rd29N. Go 1.6 km (1 mile) to a Stop sign. Then turn South (right) on Rd 35E. Then .5 km (.3 mile) South on 35 E. Look for sign.
Civic Address: 28134 Rd 35E
Open Farm Day
September 15th, 2019
11 am – 5 pm
(Check website for individual open farm times openfarmday.ca)