MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - Alberta Open Farm Days 2021 is scheduled to include more than 100 farms, ranches and ag-tourism operators, including many from right here in this district.
A collaborative, province-wide, two-day event running Aug. 14-15 this year, Open Farm Days gives residents and visitors a chance to see farms and ag businesses in operation and to experience what it takes to produce some of the province’s renowned agricultural products.
This year’s event marks its ninth year in Alberta, showcasing agriculture and tourism industry though personal engagement including walking tours.
Farms and ag-tourism businesses in the district taking part in Alberta Open Farm Day 2021 include the following:
• Custom Woolen Mills Ltd. outside Carstairs, at 30453 Rge. Rd. 27-2, RR#1. “Come tour through the mill and learn how wool from the farm becomes clothing and other textile product,” organizers said. “See some of our historic textile machinery in action, take a walk through our natural dye plant garden, and shop our little gift shop. Be sure to come dressed for the weather and a walk in the country, which can be muddy. We ask that you do not bring any animals to our location.”
• Fallentimber Meadery located near Water Valley at 5543 Twp. Rd. 303. “Joining us for a tasting that will give you a great perspective on mead in general, and the diversity that it holds. Couple that with a tour and you will leave with lots of knowledge around bees, honey production, and fermentation.”
• Garlic Goodness is located near Innisfail in Red Deer County, at 35540 Rge. Rd. 12. “Have a walk through our garlic field farm where we have 12 varieties of garlic for sale. Maybe pick some delicious onions, fingerling, and full-size potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and other vegetables in season. No weed killers, fertilizers, pesticides or chemicals of any kinds used anywhere on the farm. While you’re here, check out our hairy Scottish Highland beef cattle too.”
• Happiness by the Acre is located outside Didsbury at Gate 2168 Twp. Rd. 304. “Our farm primarily draws on regenerative agriculture practices, with the focus on improving the land by promoting soil health, regrowth and rebuilding an entire ecosystem. In the short time that we have been on our land, we have seen it go from heavy tilled, hard-packed soil with very little organic matter to vibrant mixed species in our pastures, croaking toads and salamanders. All good signs that we are on the right track.”
• Hogarth Malt is located outside Olds at 33476 Rge. Rd. 21. “We are the only Alberta craft malt house working primarily with organic grains, as well as floor malting . . . the olds school way of malting. Learn how the core ingredients in beer become what it is. See a malt house in action and what it take to go from raw grain to ready for beer production.”
• Tall Timber Ranch is located west of Bergen on Rge Rd. 55. “Come out to the ranch for a day. Take a walk through the bush. Look for wildflowers and birds. Learn about plants that are poisonous for cattle. Try to spot a Pileated Woodpecker. Learn why we fence off the wetlands from the stock.”
• Water Valley Hops is located near Water Valley at 292051 Rge. Rd. 44. “We hope that in visiting our little farm you will gain some insight into the local, craft ingredients that are making their way into our favourite beverages.”
For more on Open Farm Days 2021, see albertaopenfarmdays.ca.
