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Champion Country, Tuesday, June 8, 2004-15 New directory offers guided tour of area farms Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Oakvllle's Lorraine Rohm ges some help picklng rhubarb from son Adam Farrow, 5, ai Andrews Scenic Acres, which has rhubarb ready for plcking until mid-June. By STEPHANIE THIESSEN The Champion If things continue as they are, this season will be another late one for strawberries. For many of us, that means we simply have to wait a bit longer for treats like fresh Ontario strawberries and creamn and strawberry rhubarb pie. But for Milton farmner Bert Andrews, it means much more. It means people will corne to his faim looking for strawberries whcn there aren't any and be off cottaging and enjoymng other summer pursuits when his fields are stili plentiful. Like any businessman, bis profit wont be what he'd hoped. With local farmers facing challenges of which many of us have no dlue, Mi. Andrews is supportive of every 'buy local' push he cari get. And right now, tce latest is tce Region's 'Guidcd Tour of Halton Faims' directory, which Halton residents can pick up and keep as a handy reference. Lots of information Inside the colourful brochure is a listing of Halton farms wit a description of what Utey offer and when. Information ranges fromn where to pick your own produce to which farms have horseback riding to where you can go to cut your own Christmas tree. The directory is part of tce Region's Simply Local initiative, which is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Terni Care through tce Choices 4 Health program. 'Halton stili has a lot of respect and values agriculture," said Regional chair Joyce Savoline. "It's oui heritage." She said farms are family husinesses that need to be supported, and Halton Region is proud to do justtat through intiatives like tce brochure. "We need to continue to foster a strong agri- cultural industry." She added tat tce nutiitional advantages of buying local produce can't be overlookcd. "Ihe food closest to home is probably tce fresheat, most nutritious," she sald. Mr. Anidrews said he tirkatce public large- ly doesn't understand just how important it is to support local farmiers. The beriefits are numerous, he said. For one, it supports te cconomy. Jobs are cieatcd when farmers like Mr. Anidrews pay workers to plant, wecd, cul- tivate and harveat. "Mea faim directory makes local people aware of local farina and once tey're aware, it contiibutcs to tce economy (because tey'll buy more locally)." He added produce bouglit foin a local farm is also healtier, and tce very act of waliig around a farm and pickirig youi own fruits or vegetables is good for your heart - not to mention it's a lot of funi and educates people about tce workirigs of a farm. Copies of tce faim directory are available at tce Halton Regional Centre, 1151 Bronte Rd. in Oakville, or by e-mailing accesshalton@region.haltoornca. You can also print a downloadable version on tce Regions Web site at www.regionlton.on.ca. If you bave any questions about te Sunply Local initiative, cali Halton Region at (905) 825-6000. Stephanie Thiessen can be reached ai sthiessen@miItoncanadianchamion.com. ACHiL 357 Ose§ Si., Ac 5I9@853mOd, S D 20MPUNGX wlh ComnhncPacbgs ichas: e oefl3.OL Engine se 5 Speed Automatic Transmission wV Power Windows V Power Locks V Power Heated Mirrors e Cruise Control V AlIoy Wheels V Towing Package e Air Condition/Dual Heating don1 V 7 Passenger Seating êeTumble-under 311 row seat 200 se Side-By-Side 2r row seat sEngine Immobilizer êAM/FM CD Stereo r/ Tnte Winows2004 MPV GX V Japanese Built &M Waal cta.v,7vw i è wIConvu*m ePopg ipp.i at oniysý For 60 mos. onNwamip i ot thcl4qet. Our ontis tg ktic8eW, TM "vol c4ul