Farm-Scape is sponsored by Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork Play Audio Farm-Scape is a Wonderworks Canada production and is distributed courtesy of Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork.

Farm-Scape, Episode 1544

Officials of the Pork Industry Interpretive Centre report the response of the public to the new one million dollar educational facility has been exceptional.

The Pork Industry Interpretive Centre and Viewing Gallery is a biosecure educational facility which is housed in the attic space of the Prairie Swine Centre's Elstow, Saskatchewan research barn.

The attraction allows visitors to experience the sights and sounds of a modern working swine barn without compromising the operation's high health protocols.

Gallery Manager Cindy Jelinski says the facility has generated considerable interest and excitement, especially among school groups.

"The gallery officially opened October 15th of 2003. Tours actually started back in March of 2003 when construction was beginning to become complete.

People were really interested, investors, those with the industry, those that are producers as well wanted to see what was coming because they had heard about the plans for so long.

Since then we've had a number of school groups through and students, most of them elementary, but we have had high schools come through. Everyone is actually really surprised when they come. The kids are amazed at seeing the baby pigs and how big the pigs grow. The teachers are very enthusiastic with what the kids learn.

It's an exposure to agriculture that they normally wouldn't get and the teachers are very appreciative of an opportunity like this with their students. The tours are free. All tours come through with tour guides and the kids have had a really good time coming through."

June is the interpretive centre's busiest month. Jelinski says teachers seem to be looking for something new and unique for their students to see.

She says the gallery looks down on a real barn with live pigs and people are often surprised by the size of the barn and the number of pigs it houses.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.