By Josh Hall, RDNewsNOW Staff

‘Not all things farmed are food’: Alberta Open Farm Days goes Aug. 17-18

Aug 14, 2024 | 11:58 AM

The 2024 edition of Alberta Open Farm Days, Aug. 17-18, is sure to be a great one as organizers place a heavy focus on the province’s small, but interesting craft fibre industry.

It’s the year of the alpaca, and close to 160 farms across the province — more than ever — are inviting Albertans behind the scenes to see how things work and even get a taste of the inner workings.

That does not mean tasting alpaca, of course, but there are a wide array of farms partaking — from dairy experiences to learning about farm equipment, and from distilleries to those with petting areas.

“It’s small-scale and craft, but we do have a number of farms in Alberta with sheep and alpacas, among other things, which run boutique mills,” Tannis Baker, Open Farm Days board member, says of the opportunity to spotlight fibre farmers.

“It’s small, but interesting. When we talk about animals and using all parts of them, the fibre industry includes farms where they will shear the wool off and send it away for processing. Not all things farmed are food.”

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Baker mention’s Kirk’s Alpaca Farm, located ten minutes west of Three Hills, as well as Custom Woolen Mills in the Carstairs area if you have a y(e)arning for alpaca and fibre education.

A directory for all participating farms, including which days and times they are open, is available on the event’s website.

There’s also a one-day mega-event, Baker says, happening at the Trochu Arboretum, with 15 participating farms collaborating for Open Farm Days. That goes from 10-5 on the Saturday.

“What’s interesting about Open Farm Days is there really is something for everyone. Read the farms’ stories and find out a little about the farm so you can get the experience you’re looking for. It’s sort of a pick your own adventure event,” says Baker.

“More people are getting on board purely for the educational part, and some have nothing to sell — they just want to show people what being on a farm is like. Others are looking at growing into the tourism sector and offering these unique experiences.”

More information is at albertaopenfarmdays.ca.