Southern Albertans will have the opportunity to learn how their food is grown during Open Farm Days this weekend.
Open Farm Days showcases the farmers, ranchers, and processors that produce food for Albertans and Canadians.
There are a variety of ways to take part, from picking fruits and vegetables, purchasing locally grown products, to taking part in educational activities.
During Open Farm Days on Aug. 16 and 17, farms will be open to visitors for tours and educational experiences.
“This week, Albertans can help celebrate the farmers and entrepreneurs who put safe, high-quality food on our plates,” said RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation. “Open Farm Days’ theme this year is Water, The Lifeblood of Every Farm, recognizing the essential role water and irrigation have in our agriculture sector and for the entire province.”
Here are the farms participating:
On Saturday, Aug. 16
OH Ranch Calgary Stampede
The OH Ranch will be open to the public to learn about the history of the ranch, the daily operations, cattle handling, rangeland management, beef production, and environmental practices in the ranching industry.
Ranch tours are from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., noon to 1 p.m., 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Food trucks will be on site between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The Calgary Stampede Education team will be offering educational activities for youth, including dummy roping, barrel racing, predator/prey games, and rope making.
At the cookhouse, there will be history about the ranch and the surrounding area, along with gardening and canning presentations to highlight sustainability.
On Saturday, Aug. 16, and Sunday, Aug. 17
Hartell Homestead
The Hartell Homestead is a mixed farm with highland cattle, ducks, chickens, goats, and a market garden.
Southern Albertans are encouraged to stop by and see the animals and learn about where their food comes from.
Free tours of the homestead will run every hour on the hour.
In addition to tours, the Hartell Homestead will also be offering a long table dinner in between the pastures and gardens on Aug. 16, at 6 p.m.
Nanton Grain Elevators
The Nanton Grain Elevators is offering tours of the restored Pioneer grain elevator and the 1929 Alberta Pool twin elevators.
Visitors will also have a chance to experience engine runs of a ¼ scale Case steam model and a Fairbanks grain elevator engine.
Priddis & Millarville Fair
The Priddis & Millarville Fair will give attendees a chance to learn about the province’s agricultural heritage.
The farm yard will have llamas, miniature horses, sheep, cows, and goats, while the barns have goats, sheep, and rabbits on display and in competition.
The work of local artisans, gardeners, photographers, cooks and bakers, and woodworkers will be on display for the Bench show.
The fair will also feature demonstrations and interactive activities from the Sheep Creek Weavers, historical collections on display from the Millarville Historical Society, and an interactive trailer from Agriculture Life to learn more about food.
The Millarville Farmers’ Market will be open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., with products made, baked, or grown in Alberta.
Spirit Hills Flower Winery
Indoor tours at the Spirit Hills Flower Winery in Millarville will give visitors a chance to learn about Rocky Mountain Foothills flowers, bees, and wine production.
Throughout the tour, visitors will get to sample a variety of wines, while the team shares stories of what it takes to craft the wines.
After the tour, take in a view of the Foothills.
Food items will be available on site.
Tierra Flores Florals & Botanicals
Tierra Flores Florals & Botanicals specializes in growing herbs and cut flowers, focusing on tea herbs including echinacea, chamomile, valerian, skullcap, lavender, lemon balm, peppermint, beebalm, tulsi, and ashwagandha.
Cut flowers include sunflowers, amaranth, zinnias, scabiosa, snapdragons, peonies, statice, nigella, yarrow, and more.
The farm will be open to visitors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
At 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., there will be presentations about what is grown at the farm, and how it’s grown, with a focus on the benefits of plants.
U Lazy U Ranch
The Pioneer Outpost offers a unique stop along the Cowboy Trail.
Located 3 km south of Chain Lakes Provincial Park, the outpost offers locally sourced pantry items, horses for families to visit, and children’s games.
Eau Claire Distillery
Eau Claire Distillery in Turner Valley is offering a free tasting of horse-farmed spirits.
The distillery uses horse-farmed barley and glacial mountain water to create whiskies and gins.
For more information on Open Farm Days, click here.