ILLINOIS' ONLY RARE BREEDS LIVESTOCK & POULTRY SHOW MAY 17
CAMPTON HILLS, IL -- Garfield Farm Museum will hold its 23rd Annual
Rare Breeds Livestock & Poultry Show and Sale on Sunday May 17 from
11am - 4pm.
The only show if its type held in Illinois, looks at the loss of
genetic diversity amongst domestic animals that humans have depended
upon for food, fiber, and work for hundreds of years. For many visitors
to the show it is the first and perhaps last time in their lives they
might ever see some of these highly endangered breeds. In today's
market, very few breeds are used in modern farms. This leads to a lack
of genetic diversity. Not only is this an issue for potential
diseases that could eliminate an entire gene pool. This not only is a
threat to different breeds of animals, but also to the food that we
eat. Breed diversity is not only a novelty, it is a necessity. In
times of economic uncertainty like the one we are in, any threat to our
food sources could be disastrous. Should a disease or other factor make
the breads currently use not viable, food would become harder and more
expensive to come by. What genetic diversity does is provide the option
of a different genetic strain that may not be affected by the same
things as the modern commonplace strain. Should the currently used
breed be effected the heritage breed may not.
There is also the matter of taste. Many of the currently used animals
are used because they can grow to a desired size in a relatively short
amount of time. Some older breeds may take longer to reach maturity,
but they often offer a flavor to their meat or eggs that is missing in
the genetically narrow market.
Practicality aside, these animals should be saved for the same reason
as any other rare animal. These barn yard critters may not be as
glamorous as a panda or eagle, but are very much part of our
environment and heritage. Many of these animals were on a farm when our
forefathers were. If one were to save objects from the past to preserve
a glimpse of the past, then heritage livestock should be saved to help
complete the picture. The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
(ALBC)has been instrumental in helping to locate and preserve these
rare breeds and their even rarer owners.
Breeders are invited to exhibit their animals at the museum with a
chance to meet other breeders and prospective buyers. Pens, water, and
bedding are provided by the museum just bring feed and any information,
displays, products, demonstrations, or lectures related to the breeds
being shown. There are no registration fees for exhibitors.
In addition to seeing the animals, visitors and exhibitors can tour the
1846 Teamster Inn and Tavern, watch demonstrations of sheep shearing,
wool spinning, or enjoy refreshments from Inglenook Pantry. Garfield
Farm Museum is five miles west of Geneva, IL off ILL Route 38 on
Garfield Road. The 370 acre museum is supported by donations and is the
only surviving historically intact former 1840s Illinois prairie
farmstead and teamster inn being restored as an 1840s working farm
museum. For information call 630-584-8485 or email
info@garfieldfarm.org.
For more information about Garfield Farm send an e-mail message to:
info@garfieldfarm.org or
call 630/584-8485.
