The Rural Voice, 1988-05, Page 32THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
Sharing the Joys of Farm Life
by Sharon Grose
Ontario farmers are discovering
that operating a vacation farm can
provide a significant source of second
income, especially when working
away from the farm is difficult
because of the demands of animal
husbandry.
And farmers have much to offer
their urban visitors in the quiet and
natural environment that surrounds
their rural homes.
The Ontario Vacation Farm
Association (OVFA), through the
work of its 95 members, encourages
a better understanding between urban
and rural people. For urban dwellers,
a farm vacation is a chance to learn
about farm life and the work involved
in food production. For vacation
hosts, it's a chance to exchange ideas
and learn about other careers and other
parts of Canada and the world.
Huron County farmers Uwe and
Thea Wisch decided to join the
OVFA this year when their youngest
son left home to attend Sir Sanford
Fleming College. Their daughter has
been away at university for a few
years, and the house seemed empty,
Thea says.
The Wisches have a three-bedroom
home decorated in a European style
which reflects their German back-
ground. No strangers to hosting
guests, they came to Canada seven
years ago and have been hosting
friends and relatives since. "The first
two years we were here we had 12 bus
tours of German people tour our
farm," Uwe says.
The idea of acting as farm vaca-
tion hosts was not new to the Wisches
either. "We used to farm along the
North Sea in Germany, and every
second farm was a vacation farm,"
Uwe says, "but we didn't have the
time to host guests then, with two
small children and operating a
vegetable farm."
Uwe and Thea Wisch look forward to their first season as farm hosts. While
they grow cash crops and raise sheep, and Thea runs her own business, they
find they have more time now that their children are away at college.
CORNER BROOK
FARMS
1064 ijC'ol,Ii M Fi
Bruce County farmers Elaine and John Moffat operate a beef feedlot. Elaine,
retired from teaching, finds that hosting farm vacations gives her an op-
portunity to continue working with people — and teach them about rural life.
Today the Wisches operate a 326 -
acre cash crop farm, growing mainly
wheat, soybeans, and com. Uwe also
raises Columbine sheep; he has started
with a flock of 40, and has 39 lambs.
In addition, Thea runs her own
dried flower business from the farm
house. She says that she will teach
30 THE RURAL VOICE