CHENANGO COUNTY – This Sunday, area residents will have a chance to get up close and personal with local agriculture by visiting farms participating in Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County’s Festival of Farms.

“The purpose is to welcome the public onto our local farms so they can learn more about farming, the food they eat, the fiber they use, feel the land they use to grow on, and meet the farmers that we all appreciate,” explained Horticulture and Natural Resources Educator Rebecca Hargrave.

According to Hargrave, the event, now in its third year, is sponsored by Senator Thomas Libous’ Buy from the Backyard Program.

Seven local agricultural producers are participating in the festival, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. They are Baker’s Maple in Bainbridge; Enough and a Little Bit More in Greene; Nielsen’s Mini-Winery in New Berlin; Red Barn Alpacas and Mizrahi Manor, both in Norwich; Lambs Quarters in Plymouth; and in Sherburne, SparkleLady Barn Quilts and Quarry Brook Farm.

Activities will vary at each of the open houses, but will include tours, demonstrations and, in some cases, tastings.

At each farm, Festival participants will have the opportunity to have their “passport” stamped. Those who visit at least 3 participating ag producers can enter their passport to win a basket of locally products valued at $75. Passports can be dropped off or mailed to CCE at 99 N. Broad Street, Norwich, NY 13815.