Celebrating Alberta's Agricultural Heritage: Open Farm Days and Local Food Week

Albertans can indulge in rural life and support local food producers during Local Food Week and Open Farm Days. The province is renowned for its high-quality, safe, and sustainable food products, and the events provide an ideal opportunity to learn about where the food comes from. This year's Open Farm Days theme, "Water, The Lifeblood of Every Farm," highlights the essential role water and irrigation play in the agricultural sector and the province as a whole.

Key Takeaways:

• The Alberta government has provided annual funding to the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies to support Alberta Open Farm Days, advancing agri-tourism and food and culinary tourism across the province.
• Agri-tourism continues to grow in popularity, with many travellers seeking authentic experiences like farm-to-table dining, culinary adventures, and farm stays, supporting local economies by driving business to local shops, restaurants, and nearby attractions.
• Over 155 Alberta farms will host Albertans during Open Farm Days on August 16 and 17, offering tours and culinary experiences featuring some of the finest chefs in rural Alberta.
• The government's 'Buy Local' initiative encourages consumers to eat, drink, and buy local to show unified support for the province's agriculture and food industry.
• Alberta is Canada's biggest producer of honey, beef, and processed potatoes, the second-biggest producer of wheat and canola, and a substantial exporter of oats, barley, and pork.
• More than 1.5 million arable acres are irrigated within Alberta's 11 irrigation districts, producing 28% of the provincial agricultural gross domestic product.

Statistics:

• Over 155 Alberta farms will host Albertans during Open Farm Days on August 16 and 17.
• The government has provided annual funding to the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies to support Alberta Open Farm Days.
• 28 per cent of the provincial agricultural gross domestic product is produced by irrigated land within Alberta's 11 irrigation districts.
• More than 1.5 million arable acres are irrigated within Alberta's 11 irrigation districts.
• Over 11 million overseas travellers and 10 million U.S. travellers are interested in experiencing agri-tourism in Alberta over the next two years (Destination Canada's 2023 Global Traveller Research Program).

Sources:

• "See the farms, taste the flavours" press release by M2 PressWIRE
• Destination Canada's 2023 Global Traveller Research Program