Residents will have the opportunity to see what farms from near and far have to offer.
Agriculture producers will be hosting tours, culinary events, and conducting demonstrations as part of the seventh annual Alberta Open Farm Days on Aug. 17 and 18.
Families are invited to visit and learn about where their food comes from by touring properties, such as Rocky Meadows Country Getaway and the K-Cow Ranch.
Rocky Meadows is located in the MD of Bonnyville and is among the two local locations welcoming families with open arms.
“We’ve been doing this for quite a few years and we get more people out every year. People that have come last year came to pick this year, so it’s definitely a good way to let people know what’s going on in the community for farm-related activities,” explained Rocky Meadows co-owner Lori Toker.
Attendees will have chokeberries, Saskatoon berries, and honeyberries to choose from while on a self-guided tour of the orchard. Families will also be able to hit the greens at their mini-golf course. Toker said she loves people’s reactions when they’re on the course because of the farm machinery integrated in the design.
“I love hearing people laugh on the mini-golf because most people enjoy it and they think it’s pretty funny to golf through a combine.”
Toker described their location as “off the beaten track,” which has made it difficult for people to know where they are. Open Farm Days is one of the ways they reach the community and show off everything they have to offer.
Local customers regularly tell Toker they’re surprised at just jpw ,icj Rpcky Meadows has to offer.
Since many of the places participating aren’t usually accessible to the public in the way they are during Open Farm Days, people have a chance to see the ins and outs of farms across the province. They can ask questions and dive deep into the world of agriculture.
“A lot of people, not even just kids, younger adults, don’t know where food comes from. They think they just buy the milk in the store, or the fruit in the container,” Toker noted.
That’s one of the reasons why Janice Wirsta, co-owner of K-Cow Ranch, became involved with Open Farm Days.
“I think it’s important for farmers… to allow people the opportunity to learn and at least find out where their food comes from. Whether they make the choice to come and see or not, I like the idea of giving them the opportunity, and I think it’s important to try and connect rural and urban,” she detailed.
K-Cow Ranch, which is located outside of Elk Point, will have horses and beef cattle on display. They will be giving demonstrations of how the animals are treated and what goes into taking care of livestock.
“We’ll walk them through what the animals eat, see what we feed them, and how we handle them,” Wirsta explained.
On the Saturday, the ranch will feature a culinary event. The picnic will include a menu with fresh food made from what’s available at the farm.
Registration is required beforehand, and anyone interested in signing up can do so by calling K-Cow Ranch no later than noon on Aug. 15 at 780-614-5995.
Wirsta said she’s looking forward to Open Farm Days, and hopes people come to get their questions answered.
“If you don’t know anything about the farm, or your kids have never been to the farm and have never seen a cow or a horse up close, it’s an opportunity to come and experience it and see what it’s all about,” she expressed.
For more information visit the Alberta Open Farm Days website albertafarmdays.ca.
