7th Annual ON Farm Fest – 9 Farms in Onondaga County Open for Free Tours
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The public is invited to experience local agriculture firsthand on Saturday, September 16th when 9 local agri-businesses open for free tours from 10am until 3pm. The Harvey Skeele ON Farm Fest is a favorite annual tradition for many visitors who enjoy returning to familiar farms and exploring new ones. Attendees can visit as many farms as they would like, as tours occur continuously throughout the day. In addition to behind-the-scenes tours, farms will offer demonstrations and giveaways – and many will feature live music, food for purchase, and other fall fun. To plan your day, visit www.onfarmfest.com and follow Onondaga Grown on Facebook and Twitter.
This year, four destinations are either new or returning to the tour: Anyela’s Winery in Skaneateles, Dutch Hill Maple in Tully, Shepard Settlement Beef in Marcellus, and Pumpkin Hollow in Onondaga Hill. This is in addition to farms that were on the tour last year: Brady Farm in Syracuse, Crazy Daisies in Onondaga Hill, Sunshine Horses in Clay, Navarino Orchard in Onondaga, and Emmi Farms in Lysander.
“We’re excited to host visitors back on the farm through this unique event. Our goal is to give ON Farm Fest attendees an appreciation for the diverse range of agricultural operations that are thriving across Onondaga County, while enjoying family fun and fall entertainment including wagon rides, meeting farm animals, and more. From the award-winning Anyela’s Vineyard in Skaneateles, to the innovative Shepard Settlement Beef Farm in Marcellus with its focus on genetics – you’ll learn something new about agriculture, and have a lot of fun along the way,” said Onondaga County Executive J. Ryan McMahon, II.
“In one day, you can meet a rescued racehorse at Sunshine Horses, tour one of the nation’s largest urban farms at Brady Farm, and then find your way out of a corn maze at The Pumpkin Hollow. Each of the 9 ON Farm Fest farms – their family, staff, and volunteers – have worked so hard to create a fun and informative day on the farm. I hope you are able to join us and make this event part of your fall tradition,” said David Knapp, Onondaga County Legislator and Agriculture Council Chairman.
The Harvey Skeele ON Farm Fest is named in honor of a dairy farmer and longtime champion of local agriculture and on-farm education. The late Harvey Skeele was the co-chair of the Onondaga County Agriculture Council and played a crucial role in creating and managing the ON Farm Fest event.
For more information on planning your ON Farm Fest day, please visit www.onfarmfest.com.
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