Alberta's Open Farm Days is returning in a couple of weeks.
During the annual event, farms and agricultural businesses across the province open their doors to give the public a close-up look at where their favourite products come from.
It’s being held on August 16 and 17, with around 160 farms registered so far.
Tannis Baker, with the Open Farm Days Executive Committee, says there’s something for everyone.
“We kind of use the term ‘farm’ a little bit loosely, so we are including breweries and distilleries, so there are some age-specific programs. Then there’s lots for younger children, there’s lots to learn about gardening and composting, so many different experiences… You get to pick your own adventure, really”
Some of the participating farms and businesses in the Foothills area include Eau Claire Distillery, Granary Road, the Bar U Ranch, the Hartell Homestead, the Nanton Grain Elevators, Spirit Hills Winery, the Priddis & Millarville Fair, and Tierra Flores Florals & Botanicals.
Baker says it’s been great to see the event grow over the years.
“The first year we started, there were about 35 farms participating. Now we’re at about 160, so it’s fun to see the growth. We have many farms that have been with us since the very beginning, some are growing and have quite elaborate days with artisan markets and vendor booths, and we have a lot of first-year farms with smaller events, showing people around their farms and introducing them to their animals or crops. It’s really quite diverse.”
This year’s theme is “Year of the Alpaca,” which highlights a specific area of the fibre industry and some of the commonly seen Alberta livestock that contribute to it.
The Alberta Open Farm Days website includes a “Find a Farm Experience” page where you can search by general location, and a “Plan Trip” page where you can input multiple farms and map a route.