By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Local producers say Open Farm Days critical for teaching about ‘farm to table’

Aug 11, 2022 | 9:56 AM

“It takes a hive” is the slogan for this year’s Alberta Open Farm Days, the tenth edition of what’s become an important staple of trying to connect Albertans with the knowledge of where their food comes from and why it’s vital to support local producers.

Much like a honeybee hive, organizers said farming in Alberta requires community, hard work and collaboration to succeed and thrive.

Open Farm Days runs Aug. 13 and 14 with more than 120 farms participating across the province, up from the 46 that were there at the beginning.

One of those there at the start was Red Deer County’s HolmeHus Farm, which is once again a participant, and hosted a launch event for media on Tuesday.

The honeybee was the inspiration for a unique new artisan product – Honey Floss – created with ingredients sourced entirely from within the province. The recipe and instructions to make it are on the Alberta Open Farm Days website. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

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Owners Susan and Glen Manyluk started their farm in 1977, and it was later dubbed ‘the farm with the good food’ thanks to friends their children would have over.

“We feel that most people have no connection to the farm anymore. When we grew up, most families had a grandparent or someone who farmed, and they could visit and learn about where food was being produced. Today, that’s not the case,” said Susan. “I’ve stood on my soapbox and harped about buying local, cooking international and not being boring for most of my life.”

The Manyluks also participated in an old Red Deer County program, a similar in concept initiative, which predates Open Farm Days.

“I’ve spent the last 50 years, — I’m retired on the farm now — in education, and I’d begun to see that kids in city schools didn’t have a connection with their food. You ask them where their food or milk comes from, and many will say, ‘the grocery store.’ That plays out later in life,” said Glen.

“We’ve got developers and planners saying let’s expand the city — here and elsewhere — by taking this farmland. That works against local producers. We’re chewing up lots of good farmland, and down the road, we’ll have to look at that process in order to protect farming. Farming means food, and we need to eat.”

Saskatoon berry bie and strawberries from DNA Gardens in Elnora. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

HolmeHus Farm is a ‘primary producer’ protein operation, churning out meat products — primarily from their 125 cattle — that do in fact wind up in the grocery store.

Their eggs are popular too, described among those who know about them, for their superior taste and quality.

“Supporting local is also about nutrition. Processed food from elsewhere is loaded heavily with salt and whatnot, and then people are struggling with their health. That’s because of processed food,” Glen adds. “If people learn early that there are heathier and more local foods to eat, and they decide to make it part of their diet, that’ll benefit them. Plus, you read about how food starts somewhere in a truck in Florida, and the benefits to supporting local are obvious on that front too.”

During Open Farm Days, the Manyluks and all participants will be offering tours behind the scenes, farm markets, demonstrations and opportunities to get up close to animals. Food will also be a regular sight.

For a full list of Alberta Open Farm Day participants, including the 23 in central Alberta, click here.