(Photo: Government of Alberta)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Happening in August

Alberta relaunches Open Farm Days

Jun 16, 2020 | 10:57 AM

This year’s edition of Open Farm Days will take place August 15 and 16 across the province.

“Albertans, now more than ever, are interested in exploring and learning more about Alberta grown food and the producers who grow it,” reads a release from Alberta Agriculture and Forestry.

Farms and ranches interested in being part of this year’s event are asked to apply by June 30.

Hosts will receive supports, including hand sanitizers, insurance, access to a culinary coach, and other resources to make hosting easier. Organizers are also working on an online booking system to manage the number of people coming to their farms.

Organizers are also offering alternative ways that farms and ranches can participate during the weekend, such as instructional videos and virtual tours.

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Because of COVID-19, organizers are continuously communicating with government officials, making sure that Open Farm Days is in accordance with provincial regulations. Organizers can also help connect participating farms and ranches interested in culinary events with corresponding AHS staff for their region.

Open Farm Days showcases Alberta’s agriculture industry and growing rural tourism sector. Host farms open their gates to share their agricultural experiences with their urban neighbours and to help them understand where their food comes from.

In 2019, more than 150 host farms were part of Open Farm Days, and 29 culinary events helped connect urban and rural Albertans. Host farms have included traditional farms, livestock – bison, cattle, alpaca, sheep, llama, goat, poultry – farms and ranches, organic operations, corn mazes, wineries, meaderies, craft breweries, stables, petting zoos, along with honey, fruit, vegetable, grain and u-pick farms.

Since 2013, Open Farm Days has seen nearly 125,000 person visits, injecting close to $900,000 into the rural economy through on-farm sales.