KAGAWONG—A local family decided to bring a long-time dairy farm back to life with its main focus on beef cattle and its education and agriculture tourist location.
“We want people to come in and enjoy having a look at our farm operations and our outdoor education centre, to learn about farming, husbandry and other aspects of farming,” said Lauren Porter-Geerdink of Pleasant Valley Farm, in Kagawong, which held its official opening this past Saturday.
Pleasant Valley Farm is a unique education centre and agritourism location. The centre offers hands on learning to farming for all ages. There are live animals, information on the history of agriculture, including local history, a play area for children and so much more.
“It’s an agriculture-education farm,” Ms. Porter-Geerdink told The Expositor. “We have a fully operational farm, mainly focusing on beef operations. As well as raising cattle, we also raise meat birds, laying hens, goats, all for our own products and healthy eating.”
“With the educational centre, it provides an opportunity for children to learn about a beef farm and its operations, animal husbandry, crops and animals, of course,” said Ms. Porter-Geerdink. There is also a play area, and everything is self-guided for families.
Ms. Porter-Geerdink and her husband Jeffrey have two sons, Levi and Joel, and a daughter Grace. “We purchased this farm in 2021 and got the centre open the second weekend in July.”
“The family 300-acre property backs onto Lake Kagawong and used to boast one of Manitoulin’s larger operational dairy farms. The dairy barn, parlour and milk house are still part of the farm today. Unfortunately, the dairy portion of the operations were sold and the dairy ceased on the farm. Our family has decided to bring the farm back to life with our main focus on beef cattle, and our education and agriculture tourist location,” their website indicates.
“Our families’ combined background in both agriculture and education creates a perfect combination for Pleasant Valley Farm to operate in this capacity. We have a passion for educating others, especially children, as well as all aspects of farm life including animal husbandry, planting and harvesting, cattle and animals of all kinds. Lastly, we enjoy knowing our farm and knowing our food. We raise happy and healthy animals that produce products that we feel good about consuming.”
Ms. Porter-Geerdink is a registered early childhood education teacher. “I originally came from the Bruce Peninsula, and the majority of the children I taught didn’t know about farming and agriculture. We can take it for granted that in a rural area they know all of this, but this isn’t the case with all children.”
For more information about Pleasant Valley Farm, visit www.pleasantvalleyfarm.ca or Facebook Pleasant Valley Farm Community. The farm is located on 445 Nelson Road, in Kagawong, off Highway 540 onto Pleasant Valley Road.