Tours feature an inside look

at working farms New Windsor — On Saturday, Sept. 15, you and your family have the opportunity to take a “reality tour” of Baxter Dairy Farm and Pine View Christmas Tree Farm in New Windsor, N.Y. “Open House on the Farm” is an annual event sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County featuring an inside look at working farms and a chance to learn about agriculture and its importance to the community. The tour runs from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. and allows each guest to set their own pace. Open House activities at Baxter Farm include: guided tours of a modern working dairy farm by active area farmers; young dairy calves for petting and pictures; cow milking demonstrations; hay baling demonstrations; educational exhibits on modern agriculture; and the Orange County Dairy Ambassadors. Free milk for everyone! Lunch and ice cream will be available at a nominal charge. At Pine View Farm you will learn how Christmas trees are planted and get their perfect shape. You will enjoy a tour of forest and wetland habitats. Bring all your gardening questions to the “Ask A Master Gardener” booth. There will be plenty of other activities as well. Take a spin on Cornell University’s “energy bike” to experience how much energy is required to power a light bulb — and a home. Enjoy agriculture and animal stories for children and their parents, presented during “Story time” throughout the day. Learn the surprising nutritional values of popular beverages at “Re-think Your Drink.” Plant your own Christmas Tre— free evergreen seedlings will be given to the first 500 children. A suggested donation of $1 per person will help cover the cost of this event. For more information and directions contact Larry R. Hulle at 845-344-1234 or visit www.cce.cornell.edu/orange. The event is sponsored in part by First Pioneer Farm Credit.