OTSEGO COUNTY — The Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Schoharie, Otsego, and Delaware counties is holding their ninth annual Family Farm Day this Saturday, August 28. Forty farms within the counties will be participating and allowing visitors between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Family Farm Day is meant to be a way for the community to learn more about local farms through firsthand experiences. CCE officials described the event as a "behind-the-scenes adventure to experience farm life firsthand."

"See where your food comes from,” said CCE officials in a press release. "Take a tour, go for a ride, watch a demonstration, and participate in free hands-on activities for all ages. Explore many sectors of agriculture such as maple sugaring, fruit and vegetable production, bee keeping, cider pressing, wool processing, and dairy production including bottling milk and making cheese."

CCE Agriculture and Horticulture Educator Jessica Holmes said not all farms in the area are participating, but visitors can browse the Family Farm Day website at familyfarmday.org, or check out the 2021 Farm Guide for more information.

"We have our print out brochure that has the map and all the farms on it, and we have an interactive map on our website. So we just ask that people take a look at some of the farms they might want to visit, and then if they could plan out their trip according to where they want to go, it's easier to map out ahead of time," Holmes explained.

Print versions of the 2021 Farm Guide are available at local Cornell Cooperative Extensions, participating farms, farmers' markets, libraries, visitor centers, and popular attractions, according to CCE officials.

General and COVID-19 safety is also a concern, and CCE officials have asked that visitors leave their pets at home, stay within the designated areas on farm grounds, and adhere to any protocols put forth by the farms themselves.

Holmes said a wide variety of farms will be participating this year, giving visitors an inside look to the production of several different products.

"It's vegetables, there's maple farms, dairy farms, beef, crops, fruit. So there's quite a few different types of farms," she said.

She added that the COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on local farms due to product shortages, and she believes it is good for the public to see firsthand what goes into getting those products to their table.

“During the pandemic, supply chain interruptions and the threat of food insecurity brought the importance of small farms to the public’s attention,” said Holmes. “Family Farm Day is a wonderful opportunity for the public to meet area farmers to see what it takes to put local food on their tables. I believe people are looking for farm-to-table products, eager to make connections with their local producers, now more than ever.”

While Holmes is new to CCE, she said she's heard great things about Family Farm Day.

"I've heard it's a great experience and people come year after year and they visit different farms. There's some people who go to their favorite farm each year. So I think it's a very well attended event, and something that people would enjoy doing," she said.

Family Farm Day is organized by CCE of Schoharie and Otsego Counties, and CCE of Delaware County. It is also made possible by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, Great Western Catskills, destination marketing for Otsego County tourism and Schoharie County Tourism, Otsego County government, and participating sponsors and farms.