FOCUS - AUGUST 2018 7 The junior farmers program was a dream that Julie Anne Gatto-Gibbons had always wanted to start up to educate children. She felt it would be good for them to know where their food came from and how it was grown while getting into the dirt, plant- ing the seeds, taking care of their plants and reaping the rewards of their harvest. Julie Anne met Kelty McKay of Willowtree Farm when Kelty attended the baby time program, taught by Julie Anne at Scugog Memorial Library. Julie Anne pitched her idea and bingo; both women were excited to get the program up and running. That goal was met in 2016 and since then, they have had over 200 little farmers ages 2 - 8 years old, enjoy the pro- gram which runs in May, June, July and September. The program is designed to help the farmer with his chores which includes adventures in the fields, picking seasonal fruits and vegetables and feeding the farm animals. There is a snack fresh from the farm as well as a farm craft, songs and of course a story time. The junior farmers even work in the rain just like real farmers do! At the end of the four-week program “the farmer“ takes the time to thank the junior farmers for all their hard work with a wagon ride! Julie Anne also runs pop up pro- grams at Willowtree Farm through- out the year such as Fall Harvest, Winter Wonderland, and What’s Sprouting Up on the Farm, as well as cooking classes using farm fresh ingredients from Willowtree’s market. Please join the Willowtree Farm newsletter or check the website for upcoming events: www.willowtreefarm.ca Shamus Thompson, 4 years old, works in the broccoli patch at Willowtree Farm, just one of a number of chores the kids do to help the ‘farmer’. Vincent Luke discovering broccoli. Anne Gatto-Gibbons had always wanted to start up to educate children. She felt it Julie Anne also runs pop up pro- grams at Willowtree Farm through- out the year such as Fall Harvest, at Scugog Memorial Library. Julie Anne pitched her idea and bingo; both women were excited to get the program up and running. HI-HO THE DERRY-O The Farmer in the Dell Betty Somerville FOR MAYOR ELECT The voice for the people. Let’s move Scugog forward. 905-985-8066 / 905-431-4669 / www.bettysomerville.info / facebook.com/BettySomerville / Twitter @BettySomerville