The icon for the new On Farm Fun app.
Farmers Forum staff
OTTAWA – More than 800 Ontario agritourism operators are featured in a new mobile app designed to funnel more visitors toward authentic farm and rural experiences across the province.
“ON Farm Fun” is a digital directory and one-stop for you-pick schedules, farm tours and seasonal festivals. With a few taps, users can filter through 79 different products and 61 activities, ranging from pumpkin patches to maple syrup and educational workshops.
The platform features an interactive map, real-time updates on operating hours and a self-serve planner to help prospective visitors plan their itineraries. Naturally, it’s also intended as a high-tech marketing arm for operators to promote themselves to more people.
AgriTourism Ontario, a non-profit organization dedicated to farms that open their gates to the public, officially launched the app on May 4. Kitchener-based BitBakery was commissioned to develop ON Farm Fun.
The provincial government, through Foodland Ontario, kicked in $345,000 for the project nearly 18 months ago.
“This app helps bridge the gap between urban and rural communities,” AgriTourism CEO Kevin Vallier said. “It makes it easier for everyone to experience where their food comes from and to support local farms.”
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Trevor Jones praised the initiative, noting it encourages Ontarians to “explore, learn and buy local.”
The app is now available for download on iOS and Android devices.
