JEFFERSONVILLE — It was an innocent question about showing Hilly Acres Farm to the public that blossomed into a yearly event celebrating the rich agriculture of Sullivan County, and this year’s celebration in Jeffersonville—complete with food, community and farming—promises to be just as exciting as in previous years.

Called Farm Fest, the annual event will take place at Hilly Acres Farm at 32 Wahl Road on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. With free admission for all, attendees are invited to experience the farm through food, demonstrations, entertainment and activities.

Joined by her husband and co-owner, Andy, and her son, Michael, Tanya Hahn feels the event is much more than a yearly recurrence—it’s a chance for visitors to see how a small family farm operates.

“I think the most important thing I think they have to realize is, you know, just the difference between a large commercial operation and a small family operation,” Hahn noted.

Hahn points out that smaller farms may offer a different take on raising animals, as farmers can maintain close relationships with their livestock and undertake their work with differing methods and goals.

Farm Fest got its inspiration from Michael after he spotted another farm holding a similar public event. Bringing the idea back from college, he raised the possibility of opening Hilly Acres to the community.

“How are people going to know what we do if we don’t open the farm up?” Hahn recounted of the conversation.

In the years since its inception, Farm Fest has gradually gotten bigger, with the family eagerly looking forward to it every year.

This year promises to bring hayrides, live music, agricultural demonstrations, local food, vendors, activities for the kids—and, of course, farm animals.

Also on the itinerary are games like barrel rides, egg races, a tractor tire-flipping contest and more. Joining in the fun will also be local vendors and organizations like 4-H and the Sullivan West FFA.

To Tanya, the event is also a reflection of the enduring relationship Sullivan County has between its hospitality and agricultural communities.

Nothing displayed that connection more than the life and work of Jean Paul “JP” Medina, who died suddenly on Aug. 23 at the age of 41. Medina was a prominent figure in the county’s hospitality industry and was known for supporting local farmers and agricultural producers.

Of course, it should come as no surprise that Medina had also lent a helping hand to Hilly Acres’ previous Farm Fest events with food.

“He was just a supporter of the local community and local farmers,” Tanya recalled.

It’s this chef-farmer relationship that Tanya firmly believes is a significant aspect of the county’s food culture, as locally grown fruits, dairy, vegetables and similar products eventually end up on restaurant plates.

“You gotta have the food, and you gotta have the chef,” Tanya noted. “[With] those two together, you certainly have a great combination.”

At the end of the day, Tanya sees Farm Fest as a place for people to learn about agriculture, gather and enjoy food together.

“I’d rather have people coming together and enjoying a meal together, talking about things, instead of arguing about them,” Tanya stated.

With free admission for all, Farm Fest is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 26, at Hilly Acres Farm on Wahl Road in Jeffersonville from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.