Cooperative Extension is looking for farms willing to open their barn doors and help inaugurate its first-ever Schoharie County Family Farm Day.
The event, being organized by CCE of Schoharie and Otsego Counties in collaboration with Schoharie Area Long Term, is set for August 17, the peak of the growing season.
To participate, farms and farmers will need to be available from 10am-4pm that day to welcome visitors, showcase and sell farm products, offer samples, give tours, host farm activities and demonstrations, and answer questions.
CCE Ag Leader David Cox said the Family Farm Day is being modeled after Madison County's Open Farm Day, which in 2012 drew an estimated 5,000 visitors; 25 percent of farms sold more than $400 of products and 83 percent of farms reported that the event increased awareness of their farm products.
Organizers here hope Schoharie County's Family Farm Day will also draw thousands of visitors, Mr. Cox said, and they plan to make it an annual event.
Deadline for registering a farm to participate in the event is Friday, June 21.
There is no fee, but the farm must be located in Schoharie County.
Mr. Cox said the Family Farm Day will be heavily advertised and promoted through a guide distributed at grocery and convenience stores and farmers markets in Schoharie, Schenectady, and Albany Counties and inserted in local newspapers; with newspaper and radio interviews; and through Facebook, Twitter, and websites.
Between 15,000 and 20,000 guides will be distributed.
To register a farm, go to familyfarmday.org and complete the online form or download a printable copy and mail it to Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties, 173 South Grand Street, Cobleskill 12043.
Farms and others interested in participating as sponsors can go to the same website and follow sponsor guidelines.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit SALT recovery efforts.
For more information, contact Mr. Cox at 234-4303 or dgc23@cornell.edu.