cktimes.ca

The Ontario Farm Animal Council's FarmzOnWheelz will be making a stop at Ridgetown District High School April 28 - May 1.  FarmzOnWheelz, OFAC's 600 square foot mobile interactive exhibit, was built with the help of the designers and engineers at Toronto's Ontario Science Centre. FarmzOnWheelz, shows teenagers and their families that farmers are modern, innovative, and adaptive.

"We really try to engage and excite people about agriculture," said Sue McLarty, project manager with the Ontario Farm Animal Council "Farmers are not Old McDonald!"

Employing user-friendly touchscreen computers and a variety of hands-on displays, the FarmzOnWheelz exhibit teaches visitors that science and technology have a direct relation with agriculture. "While our primary target is teens, the exhibit has something for everyone" McLarty states. The "Farming Fuels the Future" display uses a real biodigester to show how liquid dairy manure can be transformed and generate enough electricity to power an iPod.  "We have the only poop-powered iPod out there," says McLarty.  "What's for Dinner?"  allows visitors to select a meal from a buffet of menu options. Once they have "virtually" filled
their plate, the visitor is given a summary on nutrient value in the chosen meal that is based on Canada's Food Guide.  The summary also touches on where the food comes from, encouraging visitors to consider how their food choices affect the planet. The exhibit is rounded out with virtual "farm tours", a "spinbrowser" allowing visitors to control and view a library of videos, and surprising "weird stuff" from the
farm.

FarmzOnWheelz is being sponsored by the parent councils of Ridgetown District High School and Ridgeview Moravian Elementary School.  "We are very excited to host Farmz for our Celebrate Learning" program, a school and community based event." says Susan Kelner, chair of RDHS parent council.  On April 28 - 30, area schools are invited to schedule a guided tour of Farmz followed by a tour of University of Guelph's, Ridgetown campus by contacting RDHS @ 519-674-5449.  FarmzOnWheelz will be open to the public on Saturday, May 1 from 9 am - 4 pm.   


Funding for the FarmzOnWheelz project was provided in part by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development (CARD) Program. The CARD Program is administered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council. Other project sponsors include the Ontario Market Investment Fund and many industry partners.