For those wanting to experience fresh and local products firsthand and learn a bit about where their food comes from, Alberta Open Farm Days is returning to Rocky View County on Aug. 19 and 20.
The 11th annual event, put on by the Alberta Association of Ag Societies, allows members of the public to tour participating farms, homesteads, greenhouses, and other businesses in the agriculture or food-growing sectors.
“It’s with local farmers who don’t normally open their farm gates and invite people onto the farm to learn about agriculture in Alberta," explained Nicola Doherty, marketing coordinator for Alberta Open Farm Days. “It’s anyone from dairy farmers, to bison farmers, to ranchers, and even vegetable (and other crop) farmers as well. It’s also orchards and apiaries.
“This is a really great opportunity for Albertans, or anyone in Alberta, to come to visit a farm and see how products are made in the province.”
For Rocky View County residents, the nearest farms participating in this year’s event include Souto Farms Local Market just north of Airdrie, Your Local Ranch located northeast of Airdrie, Glengary Bison located south of Madden, and Long Grass Studio and Honey Bee Apiarios Estrella in Springbank.
The Crossfield Agricultural Society is also holding its Long Table Dinner in conjunction with Open Farm Days on Aug. 19. Those interested in tickets to this local meal can get more information on the Crossfield Agricultural Society's website.
For all other farms, visitors can come out for free to see how those operations work and view local livestock up close.
Doherty said Open Farm Days is often an educational experience, particularly for city slickers.
“People, in most cases, are now one or two generations removed from the farm,” she said. “So for some people, going to the farm (during Open Farm Days) is that reconnection to things they remember as a kid. And some people go because they have never had the opportunity to go to a farm before, and get to see a cow up close in real life.”
It also gives Alberta producers an opportunity to talk about what they are passionate about and potentially sell some of their local products, she added.
Doherty expects to see attendance at Alberta Open Farm Days across the province to return to pre-COVID levels this year, based on the strong expressions of interest she is hearing about from participating local farms.
“Prior to the pandemic, we had about 40,000 people travelling around the province to visit participating farms,” she explained. “That decreased over the pandemic. This year, we are (likely) back to the numbers we saw pre-pandemic. We have about 150 farms who are participating; so there are lots of opportunities no matter where you are in the province to find a farm to visit.”
This year’s Open Farm Days theme celebrates the Year of the Bison. Doherty said bison represent not only a strong local meat industry in Alberta, but are also an important symbol of the prairies and of huge cultural importance to local First Nations.
“Alberta has these keystone (ag) products like wheat, canola and beef, and our Alberta bison is one of the cornerstones of diversified livestock in Alberta,” she said. “The animals in Alberta represent half the bison herds in Canada … This industry is so important to our culture as well as to the economy.”
Doherty invites anyone in Rocky View County and surrounding communities who may be interested in learning something about local food and the agriculture sector to come out to Alberta Open Farm Days.
“Often for families, it’s that introduction for their children to a farm; so they can see up close,” she said. “But whether you are a foodie, or are looking for something to do for the day, or are really into ag education, you can determine what you would like to see and experience.”
For a map and more details about the local farms taking part in this year’s Alberta Open Farm Days visit albertaopenfarmdays.ca. Participants are reminded to dress in farm-appropriate attire depending on the location, and to not bring pets if they are visiting a farm that houses livestock or large animals.
Another tip is to bring cash, as some farms may not have a debit machine or ATM on hand, as well as a cooler to keep any purchased goods cold, such as vegetables or beef.
