Spoelstras eager to host Breakfast on the Farm
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
By Luke Edwards
Later this month members of the public will get a chance to tour a unique farm operation in Binbrook.
Roy-a-Lea Farms is one of three sites hosting a Breakfast on the Farm event this summer. Led by Drew and Heather Spoelstra, Roy-a-Lea offers a mix of beef, dairy and grain. They’ll be welcoming visitors on Saturday, June 13.
”It’s a great unique opportunity to be on a farm that really highlights three of the major commodities in Ontario,” said Christa Ormiston, communications manager for Farm & Food Care Ontario, which organizes the annual Breakfast on the Farm events.
“We’re going to be able to tour people through the dairy farm. There’s also a beef farm on site, as well, and then a large grain operation. So it’s a really unique opportunity for people to see all the different aspects right on one farm.”
A popular event, Breakfast on the Farm gives people a chance to get up and close with farm life and learn about what it takes to raise animals, grow crops and produce the food many of us take for granted. With fewer people having a direct connection to agriculture, the morning offers that connection.
“People will really walk away with a lot more knowledge about food and farming across the province,” said Ormiston.
Not only will visitors be able to ask questions of the Spoelstras, but representatives from several other agriculture groups will also be on hand with display booths and exhibits.
And of course, as the name suggests, breakfast will be served for visitors, who can enjoy a bacon and egg sandwich, milk, and for those who want a little extra treat, some ice cream.
The Spoelstras are a well-known farming family in the region. Drew is president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and in addition to the beef-dairy-grain operation, the family also raises Clydesdale horses.
“It’s a big event for Farm and Food Care and for the ag sector in Ontario,” Spoelstra said.
“It’s a good opportunity to have folks from the urbanized areas, especially around here in Hamilton and the GTA, come out and experience all the things happening on the farm. We’re looking forward to partnering with Farm and Food Care and having a good turnout here on the farm.”
Ormiston said early registration was going well, with more than 600 tickets sold with a week left in May. Typically they welcome around 1,500 to the events, and with Roy-a-Lea being so close to major urban centres, organizers are expecting a busy day.
Tickets are $5 for adults, while children 12 and under can get in for free.
It runs June 13 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., with breakfast being served until noon. It’ll take place rain or shine.
Roy-a-Lea is the first of three locations hosting a Breakfast on the Farm this year. FCCO tries to spread their events out throughout the province, and have two others planned for western and eastern Ontario. Cranbrook Farms in Brussels, near Goderich, hosts a breakfast on July 25, while River Valley Cattle Co. in Newburgh, near Napanee, hosts their breakfast on Sept. 26.
For more information, including a link to register for tickets, visit farmfoodcareon.org.
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