Agritourism- Grow Your Potential mobile workshop (bus trip)

Manitoba Tourism Conference

Agritourism- Grow Your Potential mobile workshop (bus trip)

On Tuesday April 12 John, Shirley, and Lorissa went on a bus tour of four different places and farms. The goal was to get ideas about how to grow our own business, and see agritourism business's in Manitoba.

The first place we went to was the Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI). (The) CIGI takes Manitoba crops (wheat, barley, peas, soybeans, etc.) researches the crop, develops new products,and helps other countries use Canadian crops in their own products. This place was very interesting, but unfortunately is not open to the general public. I had no idea that this place existed and after seeing this place I can see the huge importance this Institute has on agriculture and helping promote Manitoba crops. Their website is www.cigi.ca.

The second stop was at a robotic dairy barn. My uncles operate a robotic dairy barn so I had seen this type of operation before. I find this system amazing and so complex. It's amazing how much computers can help simplify the process of milking and taking care of dairy cows. If you want to see a robotic dairy barn check out "Open Farm Day" happening on September 18th. I will post more information when the date is closer. On "Open Farm Day" you may have the chance of seeing a robotic dairy barn in operation (last year my uncles opened their farm to the public). The one thing that really stuck out is when the owners of the farm said "why would any one want to come and tour our barn". They were so use to the robotic milking system that they didn't think it was that special and anyone would want to come and see it. I sometimes have the same mindset. Why would anyone want to do some of the things we have to offer at the Scarecrow Forest because some of the things we offer are so ordinary because I grew up with them or see the things on a daily basis. An example is the bale pyramid. I grew up playing on bales, to me bales are nothing special, but people who didn't grow up on a farm have never played on bales so they find them fun and can spend hours playing on them. Coming to this robotic dairy barn has taught me to think outside of the box and see that what may be ordinary for me may not be so ordinary for another person. For more information on open farm day check out this website http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/financial/openfarmday/ofd_map.html.

We had lunch at Danny's Whole Hog Barbeque. Lunch was really good and after lunch we toured the business. One thing that stuck out was how small his business was at the beginning and how popular and busy it has become in the last nine years. It was really encouraging to see a small business grow and become very successful. For more information check out this link at www.dannyswholehog.com.

The last tour was at Stonewood Elk Ranch. At the ranch we boarded a trailer driven by a small ATV type truck and visited the female elk. Some of the elk came right up to the trailer and we could get a good view of them. It was very interesting learning about elk and how they run their business. I have never been on a elk ranch so I learnt a lot at this place. If you want more information on elk farming check out this website www.manitobaelk.com.

Overall this tour was very interesting and very informative. Check back for more information on Open Farm Day where you may have the opportunity to see a robotic dairy farm or see a elk ranch or come to the Scarecrow Forest.

Lorissa