Alberta Open Farm Days/Facebook.

By Curtis Galbraith

Agriculture

Four local operations part of Alberta Open Farm Days this weekend

Aug 15, 2024 | 5:24 PM

Four Peace Country operations will be among the 170 across Alberta taking part in Alberta Open Farm Days this weekend.

They are set for Saturday and Sunday.

Open Farm Days marketing coordinator Cameo Hanlon says 170 registered host farms is a new record.

“It’s one of those things that now that it’s going on its 12th year, it’s, you know, positive word-of-mouth, whether it’s farms spreading the word to others about the experience they were able to have and the traction they were able to bring to their farm, or consumers also beginning to partake more, which creates more buzz and more demand for farms.”

Hanlon says that, depending on what farm people choose to visit, they could have a wide range of experiences.

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“The farm activities, they range from petting zoos and meeting animals, whether it be alpacas or lambs or chickens or things like that to agricultural tours, so, touring machinery and crops and things like that, all the way to wineries and farm-to-table culinary events.”

Hanlon recommends visitors plan their route before going.

“Some farms have limitations on capacity, or some farms have tours that you actually have to book, so just doing your homework and making sure that you’ve done all the appropriate things to attend the farms that you’d like to, so that would be my logistical advice.”

“Other than that, dress appropriately. It is out in nature.”

Country Roads RV Park/Halwa Family Farms in Grande Prairie will have a corn maze, fresh produce and fruit, wine tastings, local music and a farmer’s market that will include other farms and vendors on Saturday and Sunday.

Good Food Farm of Sexsmith will offer guided farm tours at 1:30, 3 and 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, with equipment tours to follow. There will also be either a fire pit or a barbecue, depending on the weather. People are invited to bring something to cook.

On Sunday, Sunflower & Swallow Gardens & Greenhouse of Grande Prairie is inviting people to walk through sunflowers wildflowers and pumpkins. There are also small animals to look at and crafts for kids.

The horse races at Evergreen Park on Sunday will also be part of Open Farm Days. Post time is 1:15 p.m. The day starts with a chance to sample various local products for a $5 ticket or for $20. There are also other activities like wagon rides, an interactive bee station, and a sand pit with toys. Backyard Alpacas will be there with some of its animals.

The theme for Open Farm Days this year is Year of the Alpaca.