Photo Gallery: Virginia Farm Tour & Field Day A Success

Nov. 22, 2012

Welcome To Visitors

Kinlock Farm was one of several farms on a fall farm tour and field day hosted by a county group.
A Beautiful Day

The farm, which breeds and raises beef cattle near The Plains, VA, opened its gates to visitors in mid-October. Farm manager Kevin Jennings is experimenting with inseminating older genetics into cattle that have been raised on grain to turn out grass-grazing producers.
Forage Radish For Grazing

Jennings asked to post a Hay & Forage Grower story on forage radishes next to his own field of the crop. See "Fall Fix: Forage Radish In A Forage Cocktail." Kinloch Farm used a spinner spreader to broadcast radish seed in mid-August, then had cattle walk the area to "plant" the seed. Chicken litter was applied as fertilizer to the field, which was grazed this fall.
Haying Equipment Line-Up

Once they had viewed the forage radish display, visitors walked by a line of haying equipment, Jennings says. "I had lined up our hay equipment in the order we use them to make a bale of hay. Each step of the haymaking process was explained to them starting with the disc mower."
And What's The Difference Between Hay And Straw?

"The two retired farmers I had asked to help out and explain to the visitors what the equipment did were surprised by all of the interest and questions people asked," Jennings says. "The questions that were asked the most were: "What is the difference between hay and straw or grass and hay?" and "What is it used for?" "
Talking About Farming

"The retired farmers loved doing this. They talked to more people about haymaking in one day than they did in their entire career," the farm manager says.
Hay Rides To Pastures

Guests then mounted hay wagons to tour pastures.
Conservation Practices Explained

"We have implemented many conservation practices that were explained to the visitors by the Soil and Water Conservation specialists and myself," Jennings says.
Your Tax Dollar At Work

"The visitors were surprised to learn that their tax dollars had helped pay for the conservation practices. This discussion led to many more questions about how we are protecting their drinking water, the environment, and the Chesapeake Bay."
The Pollinator Talk

The importance of bee pollination was also explained to the more than 350 visitors to the farm.
Kids At Play In The Hay

Young visitors were invited to check out hay bales for their strength, durability – and fun.

One stop on the Fauquier County, VA, Fall Farm Tour & Field Day last month was Kinloch Farm, located near a town called The Plains. Farm manager Kevin Jennings reports:

"Kinloch's Fall Farm Tour and Field Day was all around an incredible day. We had some 350 guests visit us on a beautiful sunny fall day."

The tour and field day event was coordinated by the Fauquier County Agricultural Development Department. For more information about future happenings, visit www.fauquiertourism.com.

Photos: Kevin Jennings

Virginia Farm Tour & Field Day A Success

Welcome To Visitors

A Beautiful Day

Forage Radish For Grazing

Haying Equipment Line-Up

And What's The Difference Between Hay And Straw?

Talking About Farming

Hay Rides To Pastures

Conservation Practices Explained

Your Tax Dollar At Work

The Pollinator Talk

Kids At Play In The Hay

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