From cows, bees and oysters to microgreens, cider and wine, Open Farms Day on Saturday saw the folks who grow and produce food locally open up their operations to residents to explore and learn.

Open Farms, presented by Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island in partnership with the Essex County Federation of Agriculture, was also an opportunity to celebrate those involved in the diversity of local farming, a major component of the area’s economy.

Visitors during the all-day free event could learn about dairy farming at Sauve’s Country Market by meeting a heifer and trying to milk a life-sized artificial cow. They could follow the life cycle of bees at Hawksview Honey; check out the grape harvest at Oxley Estate Winery and taste some juice pre-fermentation.

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There were also oyster-shucking lessons at Dockside Fisheries; microgreens tasting at Ortaliza Urban Farms; apple pressing at The Little Cider Company, and more.

djanisse@postmedia.com