PNE Kidz Farm Shares Salmon Farm Story

For the second year, the BC Salmon Farmers Association will participate in the Kidz Farm, which gives children the opportunity to visit simulated farms like those found in our province: picking apples, collecting eggs and netting a farm-raised salmon.

Learning about where our food comes from is really important for children in BC and as BCs largest agricultural product, were glad to have a play-sized salmon farm as part of this educational opportunity, said Mary Ellen Walling, Executive Director of the BCSFA.

At the Kidz Discovery Farm, children get to stop in at mock-ups of farms that are operated in British Columbia. There they get to pick up a toy representation of the product produced at each farm. At the end they trade their wares in for coins: and use those coins to buy themselves a treat. Its a great way for young people to understand better our food system and the role farmers play in it.

The BCSFA joined the Kidz Discovery Farm last year and the feedback from families visiting the water-filled pen - where visitors use nets to harvest a toy fish - was great. Like last year, volunteers from the BCSFA will be on hand on weekends to answer any additional questions that visitors may have about salmon aquaculture in BC.

People love this hands-on opportunity to learn and were excited to be on site again this year, ready to answer any questions people have, said Ms Walling.

The PNE opened 18 August and runs until 3 September. The Kidz Discovery Farm is located in the livestock barns near the Agrodome.

The BCSFA represents salmon farm companies and those who supply services and supplies to the industry. Salmon-farming provides for 6,000 direct and indirect jobs while contributing $800-million to the provincial economy each year.

For more information visit www.salmonfarmers.org