By Dori Modney

Popularity growing for Alberta Open Farm Days – take part this weekend

Aug 11, 2021 | 10:31 AM

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — It has become one of the most anticipated summer agricultural events — Alberta Open Farm Days. The yearly opportunity for city families to find out exactly where food comes from.

The event goes this weekend, August 14 and 15. Last year, 77 farms across the province were involved with over 10,000 visitors taking part.

This year, there are almost 110 farms taking part in the two day celebration of agriculture and the tremendous opportunity to connect consumers with provincial producers.

Tim Carson, CEO of Alberta Agricultural Societies and Open Farm Days, says the main pillar of the event, “is to help consumers understand where their food comes from, how big a role agriculture plays in our province, not only to the economy, but also the quality of life here.”

“The other pillar is around agri-tourism and rural tourism, utilizing rural farm days and our host farms as an opportunity for Albertans to travel across our great province, get off the beaten path, explore our rural communities and see this amazing province that we have and the landscapes that are out there.”

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Tim says that last year, host farms adapted very well to COVID restrictions. At this moment in time, they don’t really have any restrictions, as far as numbers.

“However, we have implemented a booking system, so you can go onto our website, albertaopenfarmdays.ca, find the places that you would like to go and use the booking system so the hosts know how many people are coming and at what time, so they can provide the best experience possible.”

Tim explains there are about 30 farms that are new to the program.

“Among the most interesting things this year is a yak farm, we’ve also got a worm farm (also known as vermiculture), which is another level of agriculture that the average person doesn’t think about, but with the amount of composting and environmental pieces that we’re doing, it’s becoming more main stream. There is truly something for everybody to enjoy.”

“If you’ve been out on Open Farm Days excursions before, you can still find someplace new to go.”

Depending on where you go, Tim says you can see everything from alpacas to zucchinis throughout the entire province.

“You have the opportunity to meet livestock up close, talk to the farmer or producer about the operations they have and gain a better understanding of the stewardship, the care and the passion that these people have for feeding us and the world.”

Each farm will have a different variety of things to see and activities to get involved in and Tim noted just a few.

“Some locations would have long-table dinners happening, the barbecues, the food tasting — we’ve also got a great liquor insurgence, between local breweries, local wineries and meaderies — all of that can be found at Open Farm Days.”

This is the ninth annual Open Farm Days and Tim pointed out past feedback has been very positive.

“We have people that go every year — they take their family and then their neighbors come — it’s really been word of mouth that has been our best advertising. There’s always so much to learn and I have to say that the producers that are involved and the agri-tourism folks are the greatest at telling the story of agriculture and telling what their particular business is all about and providing unique experiences for people to enjoy.”

There is no admission fee but, there may be costs for some of the activities, which may be cash only. You can find out where the locations are at albertaopenfarmdays.ca.

On a final note, Tim suggests those who visit Open Farms should go prepared. Don’t wear your flip-flops because you may end up with something on your foot that you may not be accustomed to having there.

“Also, bring a cooler and take a few ‘shekels’ because buying direct from local producers and farmers is a great way to support the local economy and there will be tremendous items to take home and enjoy.”

Several hosts in and around the Lethbridge area include:

– Bar U Ranch National Historic Site at Longview

– CP Farms Ltd. near Barnwell

– Custom Woolen Mills Ltd. near Carstairs

– White Barn Fun Farm at Brooks

– Broxburn Vegetables & Café https://albertafarmdays.ca/farm/broxburn-vegetables-2/

– Windy Rafters Barn Dance https://wrbarndance.tripod.com

You can learn more about them and their locations at https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/host-farms/