See event listings and more articles in this edition of Agri-News: March 6, 2023 issue
Registration is now open for farms and ranches to be part of the next edition of Alberta Open Farm Days.
Alberta Open Farms Days is an incubator for agri-tourism and rural sustainability, bringing Albertans together through educational and experiential agricultural-based initiatives to learn about where their food comes from. As well, rural communities and some of Alberta's most talented chefs will be hosting a memorable series of farm to table culinary events that will be held around the province using Alberta farm products.
In 2022, more than 110 host farms were part of Open Farm Days, welcoming almost 16,000 Albertans to their farms and ranches; and, 92% of host farms said they would participate again.
Host farms have included traditional farms, livestock (bison, cattle, alpaca, sheep, llama, goat, poultry) farms and ranches, organic operations, corn mazes, wineries, craft distilleries, meaderies, craft breweries, stables, petting zoos, along with honey, fruit, vegetable, grain and u-pick farms.
Since 2013, Open Farm Days has seen nearly 150,000 person visits, injecting over $1.1 million into the rural economy through on-farm sales. Since its launch, the public has enjoyed over 900 Alberta farms. The number of culinary events has also increased over the years, from just 12 in 2013 to 70 in 2022.
Participating farms and ranches have had very positive experiences being part of Alberta Open Farm Days:
- “Many visitors were unaware that hops could be grown in Alberta. Many 'aha' moments were had during our sensory panel as many people were surprised at the different aromas a hop can produce.” (Water Valley Hops)
- “This is a great way for city folks to understand what happens on a farm and just a great way for people to get out doing something new at relatively no or little cost.” (Pierogerie Farm)
- “The positive impact we saw was the pure joy and interest in the way we raise our animals. How some compared the calmness of our animals to those in the wild. We had a lot of questions and it was such a joy to be able to answer them all.” (Birch Creek Farms)
- "Due to our relationship to the rural farming community with our markets and programs, we feel that Open Farm Days is a great opportunity to promote our local growers and producers for all areas of products. We can highlight wine, beer, produce, eggs, beef, honey, dairy products, wild meats, micro greens and more within the county of Stettler.” (Stettler District Agricultural Society)
Register to become a host farm. Registration is open until April 30, 2023.
For more information, see:
Contact
For questions concerning Open Farm Days, connect with Nicola Doherty, marketing coordinator:
[email protected]
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