By Haylee Winger
The 14th Annual Alberta Open Farm Days took place August 15 and 16, with farms, ranches, vineyards, local food producers and other agricultural businesses across the province opening their doors to the public. The free event offered visitors an opportunity to experience Alberta agriculture firsthand and meet the people who grow, produce and create products in their own communities.
Several locations in the local area were among those participating, including Aurora Alpacas in Sturgeon County, Lakeside Farmstead near Legal, Pottery by Heather in Bon Accord, Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm near Bon Accord, Reveresque near Bon Accord and Rosy Farms Organic Haskap Farm near Alcomdale..
Reveresque Orchard Winery and Taproom, a small-batch fruit winery nestled just outside Bon Accord, welcomed visitors to explore its orchard and winery. Activities included berry picking, orchard and winery tours, wine tasting, food trucks, a create-your-own painting activity, old-fashioned berry stomping and a visit to the gift shop
Rosy Farms Organic Haskap Farm near Alcomdale offered visitors an opportunity to learn more about Alberta’s haskap industry. Rosy Farms is Alberta’s first haskap grower and a certified organic haskap farm. Visitors could take part in U-Pick activities and enjoy haskap products, including haskap tea, pie and ice cream. A gourmet local cheese box and scavenger hunts for all ages were also part of the experience
Near Bon Accord, Prairie Gardens & Adventure Farm provided another family-oriented stop during Open Farm Days. Visitors could enjoy lunch, U-Pick garlic and farm vegetables, and purchase fruit trees and berry plants to take home. Train rides, face painting, treats and ice cream added to the day’s activities. The farm is also home to a fruit tree nursery, corn maze and pumpkin patch.
At Pottery by Heather, master potter Heather Edwards opened her working production studio and demonstrated how functional, dishwasher-safe porcelain pottery is created. Visitors could tour the studio and learn about the process from clay through to the finished product. During the weekend, Edwards was busy creating pieces featuring a Celtic design for the Highland Games, an event she has attended for more than 25 years. She had also recently taken part in the Highland Games in Sherwood Park with her booth.
Aurora Alpacas, a family-owned alpaca ranch in Sturgeon County, welcomed visitors to see the animals and learn more about alpaca fibre and its journey into finished products. Visitors could take photographs with the alpacas; handle fibre shorn in the spring and see different stages of the yarn-processing process. Spinning and weaving demonstrations were also available, along with a gift shop and other vendors on site.
Lakeside Farmstead near Legal also opened its facilities to visitors. Guests could take free tours of the calf barn and learn more about the care of the animals and the farm’s dairy and beef operations. The farm also offered tours of its cheese facility, where visitors could learn about the cheese-making and aging process.
Alberta Open Farm Days provides an opportunity for Albertans to step beyond the farm gate, learn where their food and agricultural products come from, and connect with the people who produce them. For visitors in the local area, the participating farms and businesses offered a variety of experiences, from alpacas and haskap berries to pottery, orchards, cheese and locally grown produce.