OTTAWA, February 17, 2006
For immediate release

The Canada Agriculture Museum launches its 2006 season with its annual Barnyard Break during the March school breaks. (Quebec: March 1-5; Ontario: March 11-19). Parents and children looking for March Break learning and fun will find it at the Canada Agriculture Museum's Barnyard Break!

Visitors will be able to participate in or watch informative demonstrations such as knitting and corking, tasting a sweet and creamy treat in the demonstration kitchen or learning all about pigs by taking a "Pig Quiz". Visitors can also: learn about many farm animals such as the Museum's Canadian horse, they can help feed the sheep, groom a calf and watch the afternoon milking. A favourite March Break children's activity is suggesting names for the Museum's dairy calves. For younger children, there will be a beeswax candle making craft. Museum-goers can visit the exhibitions The Farm: Plugged-In and Tractors.

The following are some of the activities, displays and demonstrations that will be featured at the Museum during Barnyard Break:

Pig Quiz (9:30)
Museum-goers can to test their knowledge on pigs with the pig quiz.

Sweet and Creamy (10:00,12:00,1:30, 2:30)
Focus on Cream. Visitors will learn all about cream in the Dairy Barn's Demonstration Kitchen: where cream comes from and its uses. Museum Interpreters will be making « sucre à la crème» (cream fudge) for visitors to taste.

Knitting and Corking (10:30)
At this station, visitors can try knitting with the advice of our friendly interpreter and children can try to knit with a corker.

Groom a Calf (11:00)
Visitors will have the chance to meet a calf and help one of the Museum's interpreters with the grooming.

Meet Nel, the Canadian Horse (11:30)
Visitors will enjoy meeting Nel the Museum's Canadian breed horse, as well as learning about riding equipment, how to look after horses and interesting facts about them.

Bees and Beeswax Craft (1:00)
Children can make a beeswax candle and at the same time learn all about bees and beekeeping.

New Exhibition: The Farm: Plugged-In
Visitors will discover the impact electricity had on farmers' routine household chores, from the turn of the last century to today. The Beck Circus will demonstrate electricity's early years in Ontario. (demonstration at 2:00)

Help Feed the Sheep (3:00)
Visitors will be able to help feed the sheep while learning more about the digestive system of a sheep.

Help Us Name Our Calves! (Ongoing)
Visitors of all ages are invited to give suggestions to name our calves.

Also...

• Horse Drawn Tally-Ho Rides ($). From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., weather permitting. (March 4, 5 and from 11 to 19).
• Ongoing craft in the classroom for kids
• Children's Activity Centre located on the Exhibitions level
• Afternoon milking (3:45)