|
|
News from Garfield Farm |
CAMPTON HILLS, IL: Garfield Farm Museum
will hold its 24th Annual Rare Breeds Livestock & Poultry Show and
Sale on Sunday May 23 from 11 am to 4 pm. 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. Those that are tend to have very small
gene pools as artificial insemination makes it possible for one prized
male animal to father thousands of offspring. This leads to a lack of
genetic diversity. Genetic resistance or hardiness to disease might be
absent in such a line. A disease could strike that could eliminate such
a breed. 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 breeds 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 have 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. 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. Exhibitors must have appropriate health paperwork on their
animals.
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. There is a
$6 donation for adults and $3 for children 12 years and younger.
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.