Thanksgiving Weekend: Harvesting Energy!

October 6 - 8, 2012
From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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At this time of year, many Canadian farms are harvesting the food crops that will sustain us throughout the year. More and more, these same farms are also producing energy from sources such as the sun, wind, or crops. Come to the Canada Agriculture Museum this Thanksgiving weekend and explore how energy is harvested. Participate in special demonstrations and activities, and make a unique craft! See renewable energy in action at the Museum’s newest exhibition, Energy Park: Nature at Work.

Activities:

Small Animal Barn Classroom - Saturday and Sunday only

Rare Breeds Canada Poultry Display
(ongoing activity)

Rare Breeds Canada is an organization working to conserve, monitor and promote heritage and rare breeds of Canadian farm animals. On Saturday and Sunday, meet members, learn more about their valuable work and visit with some of their unique poultry, which will be on display.

Horse and Cattle Barn - Monday only

Farrier Demonstrations (schedule to be confirmed)

Many visitors may not know that the Museum’s horses (and Eeyore the donkey) all get routine hoof care. Farrier Greg Eady will be on hand Monday to demonstrate this essential element of keeping horses hard at work and healthy.

Old Cereal Barn

Apple Cider Making and Tasting
10:15, 11:15, 1:15, 2:15 and 3:15

What happens to all the apples that are bumped and bruised and not perfect to eat out-of-hand? They are pressed and turned into cider! At this demonstration visitors can make good use of their energy to help operate the press and will of course be able to taste the fruits of their labour at the end.

Corn Corner
(ongoing activity)

Visitors can take in many corn-themed activities including a corn quiz, a display of corn based products, eat popcorn and more!

Energy Park

Windmills : Wind at Work
10:00, 11:30, 1:30 and 3:00

Come see one of the oldest forms of renewable energy in action! With the help of many interactives, discover as well how modern farms use this wind energy produced by windmills.

Bioenergy Garden Tour
10:45, 12:15, 2:15 and 3:45

Corn, soy, flax, and canola can be readily found growing in the fields surrounding the Museum but why would we be growing switch grass, camelina and miscanthus? More and more, all these common and not-so-common crops are being grown and harvested to be transformed into biofuels. During this guided tour, visitors will be able to learn about these versatile plants and the various products they provide us.

Dairy Barn

Energy Conversion (From Hay and Water to Milk)
10:30 and 1:30

In order to make a litre of milk, how much hay would a cow need to eat? A goat? A ewe? Come discover how these animals transform hay and water into milk. Not to miss – the chance for children to discover how much energy it would take them to care for Vanilli, the wooden cow!

Small Animal Barn Classroom

Children’s Craft
(ongoing)

Children will enjoy creating a personalized poultry themed craft.

Demonstration Kitchen (Exhibitions Area)

Grain Grinding and Bread Making
10:00, 11:00, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00

In addition to learning all about wheat, visitors will be able to see how this important cereal crop is transformed into flour and then bread. Of course, there will also be samples to taste and copies of recipes available for visitors to bring home.

Other Demonstrations

9:30 - Horse Harnessing *Weather Permitting
10:00 - Rabbit Care
12:00 - Changes in Matter: Butter
2:00 - Dairy Genetics and Heredity
4:00 - The Science behind Safe Milk (Afternoon Milking)

Also:

Tally-Ho Wagon Rides ($) weather permitting
10:00 – 2:00

Enjoy a tour through the fields of the Central Experimental Farm on the Tally-Ho wagon pulled by the dynamic duo, Ted and Merrill, the Museum’s Clydesdale horses.

Food Services ($)

The Hot Potato Company will be on site to provide food services. Their menu includes baked potatoes and wedges available with a variety of different toppings along with soups and cold and hot beverages (soft drinks, juice, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cider)

General information

The Canada Agriculture Museum is located on the Central Experimental Farm, Prince of Wales Drive, between the traffic circle and Baseline Road.

Free parking.

For more information, please visit our Visitor Information page or call 613-991-3044.

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