source: Farm and Food Report
If Saskatchewan agriculture is more diversified than ever, the humble cherry remains a small player in the province's economy. Yet what the cherry lacks in magnitude, it makes up for in flavour, variety of uses and plain good old charm.
The organizers of The Cherry Festival, which is being held in Bruno, on August 13th and 14th , are doing everything right to give the cherry stature, and entice Saskatchewan consumers to come and enjoy the third edition of a festival that is well on its way to becoming a tradition.
Marilyn Jonas is Chair of the Carlton Trail Agricultural Society and one of the organizers.
"This is an opportunity for us to highlight the production, processing and use of Prairie grown cherries as well as, draw attention to the full potential of the fruit sector in both Saskatchewan."
The sour cherry is queen at the Prairie Ursuline Centre in Bruno which is the site of the festival and home to a fruit demonstration orchard set up by the University of Saskatchewan. The orchard features a number of variety's of sour cherry as well as other unique fruit such as the blue honeysuckle, which is also developed by the Prairie climate.
"Our orchard tours during the festival will give a chance for visitors to witness the progress of the small trees in their third year of production as well as the operation of some commercial orchard equipment. Along with the tours there will be two days of seminars and demonstrations featuring topics related to cherry and/or fruit production, processing and consumption. Our seminars and presentations will give participants a chance to familiarize themselves with fields like beekeeping and fruit processing as well."
On Saturday, there will be a presentation on prairie cherries, their origin and future outlook. There will be another presentation on how to sell fruit with fun right at the farm. There will be a useful session on critter management: how to fend off birds, deer, skunks, mice, porcupines and ground squirrels. Another session will provide information on bee keeping as it relates to fruit production.
"We will then look at value-added cherries and share research into new cherry recipes. There is so much diversity. When we think of Saskatchewan, we think of more traditional agriculture; wheat, pigs, beef and crops in general. We are just now recognizing the value of a variety of other crops and products, including fruit. Despite common perceptions, our climate does predispose us to growing excellent quality fruits."
One of the Sunday sessions will present the "Top Ten Challenges For New Growers"; another session will deal with trends and opportunities, while another presenter will offer guidance on buying a farm for fruit production.
According to Jonas, the Cherry Festival will appeal to both commercial and backyard growers, as well as to the general public.
"In addition to the seminars, workshops and tours, there will be a mini trade show, lots to eat, games for kids, a beverage garden, a BBQ followed by a campfire with a sing song with ghost stories for children. Of course, there will be an "all ages" cherry pit-spitting contest also, otherwise we wouldn't live up to the full range of expectations our guests might have."
Marilyn Jonas
Chair
Carlton Trail Agricultural Society
(306) 966-7248
Don Larson
The Cherry Festival Coordinator
306-369-2824
jonasandlarson@sasktel.net
If Saskatchewan agriculture is more diversified than ever, the humble cherry remains a small player in the province's economy. Yet what the cherry lacks in magnitude, it makes up for in flavour, variety of uses and plain good old charm.
The organizers of The Cherry Festival, which is being held in Bruno, on August 13th and 14th , are doing everything right to give the cherry stature, and entice Saskatchewan consumers to come and enjoy the third edition of a festival that is well on its way to becoming a tradition.
Marilyn Jonas is Chair of the Carlton Trail Agricultural Society and one of the organizers.
"This is an opportunity for us to highlight the production, processing and use of Prairie grown cherries as well as, draw attention to the full potential of the fruit sector in both Saskatchewan."
The sour cherry is queen at the Prairie Ursuline Centre in Bruno which is the site of the festival and home to a fruit demonstration orchard set up by the University of Saskatchewan. The orchard features a number of variety's of sour cherry as well as other unique fruit such as the blue honeysuckle, which is also developed by the Prairie climate.
"Our orchard tours during the festival will give a chance for visitors to witness the progress of the small trees in their third year of production as well as the operation of some commercial orchard equipment. Along with the tours there will be two days of seminars and demonstrations featuring topics related to cherry and/or fruit production, processing and consumption. Our seminars and presentations will give participants a chance to familiarize themselves with fields like beekeeping and fruit processing as well."
On Saturday, there will be a presentation on prairie cherries, their origin and future outlook. There will be another presentation on how to sell fruit with fun right at the farm. There will be a useful session on critter management: how to fend off birds, deer, skunks, mice, porcupines and ground squirrels. Another session will provide information on bee keeping as it relates to fruit production.
"We will then look at value-added cherries and share research into new cherry recipes. There is so much diversity. When we think of Saskatchewan, we think of more traditional agriculture; wheat, pigs, beef and crops in general. We are just now recognizing the value of a variety of other crops and products, including fruit. Despite common perceptions, our climate does predispose us to growing excellent quality fruits."
One of the Sunday sessions will present the "Top Ten Challenges For New Growers"; another session will deal with trends and opportunities, while another presenter will offer guidance on buying a farm for fruit production.
According to Jonas, the Cherry Festival will appeal to both commercial and backyard growers, as well as to the general public.
"In addition to the seminars, workshops and tours, there will be a mini trade show, lots to eat, games for kids, a beverage garden, a BBQ followed by a campfire with a sing song with ghost stories for children. Of course, there will be an "all ages" cherry pit-spitting contest also, otherwise we wouldn't live up to the full range of expectations our guests might have."
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For further information:Marilyn Jonas
Chair
Carlton Trail Agricultural Society
(306) 966-7248
Don Larson
The Cherry Festival Coordinator
306-369-2824
jonasandlarson@sasktel.net
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