Alberta Celebrates Open Farm Days with a Focus on Water, Agriculture, and Local Food

As the sun shines across Alberta this August, residents and visitors alike can experience the rich agricultural heritage of the province through Open Farm Days, a celebration of the hard work and dedication of farmers, ranchers, and processors who bring premium-quality food to Albertans, Canadians, and the world. This year's theme, "Water, The Lifeblood of Every Farm," highlights the essential role water and irrigation play in Alberta's agriculture sector and the province's economy. With over 155 farms opening their gates for tours and culinary experiences, Albertans can learn about where their food comes from, meet the people behind the production, and support local businesses.

Key Takeaways:

• Open Farm Days takes place over two days, August 16 and 17, with host farms offering tours, culinary experiences, and the opportunity to buy Alberta-grown and produced products.
• The event promotes agri-tourism, which continues to grow in popularity, with many tourists seeking authentic experiences like farm-to-table dining, culinary adventures, and farm stays.
• Agri-tourism supports local economies by driving business to local shops, restaurants, and nearby attractions, with an estimated 11 million overseas travellers and 10 million U.S. travellers interested in experiencing agri-tourism in Alberta over the next two years.
• Alberta's government has provided annual funding to the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies to support Open Farm Days and advance agri-tourism and food and culinary tourism across the province.
• The "Buy Local" initiative encourages consumers to eat, drink, and buy local to show unified support for the province's agriculture and food industry, with over 150 farmers' markets and more than 1.5 million arable acres irrigated within Alberta's 11 irrigation districts.
• Alberta is a significant producer of several key crops, including honey (Canada's biggest producer), beef, processed potatoes (Canada's second-largest producer), wheat, canola, oats, barley, and pork, with irrigation infrastructure providing water to processors, intensive livestock operations, and municipalities in southern Alberta.

Statistics:

• Over 155 Alberta farms will host Open Farm Days, offering tours, culinary experiences, and the opportunity to buy Alberta-grown and produced products.
• Open Farm Days takes place over two days, August 16 and 17.
• Agri-tourism in Alberta supports local economies, with estimated overseas and U.S. traveller interest of 11 million and 10 million visitors, respectively.
• Alberta's government has provided annual funding to the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies to support Open Farm Days and advance agri-tourism and food and culinary tourism across the province.
• Alberta's 11 irrigation districts produce 28% of the provincial agricultural gross domestic product.
• Irrigation infrastructure in Alberta provides water to over 50 towns and villages, wildlife habitat, and recreation facilities in southern Alberta.
• Alberta produces over 1.5 million arable acres, with an additional 300,000 acres irrigated through individual or private irrigators.

Sources:

• Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson
• Alberta Tourism and Sport Minister Andrew Boitchenko
• Chef and co-owner of RGE RD and The Butchery Blair Lebsack
• Destination Canada's 2023 Global Traveller Research Program
• The Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies
• Alberta Open Farm Days website
• Local Food Week
• Made in Alberta
• Buy Local Alberta
• Local Food Week