Despite an early harvest this year, Sturgeon Country farmers and ranchers are opening their gates to the public for Alberta Open Farm Days this weekend.
The fourth annual event, running Aug. 20 and 21, is an opportunity for Albertans to meet local producers, see where food is grown, livestock is raised and experience farm life, even if just for a day.
For many visitors, this will be their first time stepping foot on a farm, says Ian Middleton, son of Ward and Jo-Anne Middleton, owners of Midmore Farms, located north of Morinville.
"We started off (using this) as an opportunity for people to learn more about grain farming here in Alberta," explains Middleton. "We found that after doing it for a couple years … people were also drawn to other things, like the gardens, rabbits, cattle and pigs."
Midmore Farms has since expanded their organic grain operations to also include a hobby farm.
New this year, is Ian's free range pork operation – Manawan Farms.
What began as a 4-H project with two sows has now grown to a small operation of 30 hogs. Pasture-raised pork is a departure from the standard intensive hog farming common in Alberta, explains Middleton.
"Just to come see how a farm works and have an afternoon to come and meet local farmers is a brilliant opportunity," he says. "Without Open Farm Days, I don't know where that would happen."
Heritage and tradition
This will be the first Open Farm Days for Yolande Stark, owner of Tipi Creek Farm near Villeneuve.
"We love what we do and love where we live, and we realize that's a fun thing to share," she says.
The small family farm grows organic vegetables and herbs, which they sell to customers through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Tipi Creek will be holding CSA garden tours and will also have antique tractors and horticultural farm equipment on display.
Starke hopes Open Farm Days will give Albertans a chance to reconnect with their roots.
"It's a rare opportunity for people to get out into the country. There was a time when everyone had mom and dad's farm or grandpa and grandma's farm to go to, but that's not the case anymore," she says.
"For many people who have had some exposure to the farm, it's just a beautiful way to relive some good memories."
John Schneider of Gold Forest Grains Inc., an organic heirloom and ancient grains producer in Sturgeon County, wants to introduce people to a different way of life.
"I just hope that some people get a chance to hear the story of our farm, why we farm the way we do and to see some of the sustainable ways that our family chooses to live," he wrote in an email to the Gazette.
His farm grows antique wheat varieties including: Red Fife, Park, Spelt and Einkorn and flour products are stone-milled in small batches.
"We live in a straw-bale house, we farm organically and we direct market our farm produce to the public. This is how my wife and I earn our living. We do not have off-farm jobs," explains Schneider.
For Sonya Steiner of Horse Sense Training and Petting Zoo, Open Farm Days is an opportunity for city dwellers to see just how much work goes into a farm operation.
"A lot of people don't understand how much work is involved, they don't appreciate where their food is grown," she says. "We see it as a way to give back to the community and create awareness for the public."
More than 90 farms, ranches and ag-tourism operators will be open to the public this weekend, including Cajun Angus and Prairie Gardens and Adventure Farm near Bon Accord.
