By JUDY LITTRELL, jlittrell@nyfb.org

The farm community of Saratoga County has turned Fathers Day into a celebration of agriculture.

It’s Sundae on the Farm. This annual Father’s Day event is coordinated by the Saratoga County Ag Promotion Committee, an enthusiastic committee made up of representatives of various agricultural organizations in the county, including Farm Bureau.

Now with a 12-year run, the festivities take place on a different farm each year.

In addition to educating the public about the day-to-day life on a farm, the Ag Promotion Committee makes it a top priority to work on delivering key messages to the public about the benefits of agriculture and why everyone should appreciate local farms.

Event success depends on the dedication and the proactive attitude of the agricultural community in Saratoga County. This year, more than 200 volunteers came out to give their time to the event, which saw at least 2,000 visitors at the Wm. Hanehan and Sons Dairy. Each year, at least 50 businesses and organizations help to sponsor the event or contribute goods and services, and there is also tremendous support from the hosting township in the form of promotion and by handling sanitation and transportation issues.

Education of farm visitors starts as soon as they arrive and board trams. Guides, who are volunteer farmers and agribusiness people, offer an overview and describe the economic impact of agriculture in Saratoga County. As the tour progresses, visitors hear about day-to-day farm management, with an emphasis on a proactive approach to animal care. Industry and food safety issues, along with environmental stewardship, also get an airing.

A children’s activity area features farm animals, an opportunity to play tractor in a corn box (it’s like a sandbox, but filled with corn kernels), along with many other activities such as demonstrations of butter making and sheep shearing.

There is also a visible connection to food.

Sundae on the Farm features a farmer’s market for buying of local farm produce, and cooking demonstrations by chefs from popular area restaurants who use local farm products.

Visitors are also able to enjoy locally produced fruit pies and ice cream sundaes.

Says one visitor: “My children insist on going each year. I learn something new about farming every time.”