Each year, Alberta’s local farms open their doors and properties to the public for one weekend. And this weekend, resident farmers plan extra fun for families, educational workshops, tours, and several other ways to learn.
Alberta Open Farm Days is a weekend event that is province wide. So, no matter where you are in Alberta, you will be able to find a farm to visit. Alberta’s farms are vastly varied in terms of what they raise or grow. So each experience at the farms for Alberta Open Farm Days will vary, too!
From Alberta farms we get: vegetables, fruit, fruit wines, honey and mead, dairy, meat, wool, and eggs. Explore all of these local goods further with Alberta Open Farms Days 2023. Around Edmonton, you will find several opportunities for learning about all of the types of farms mentioned above.
Aurora Alpacas
This alpaca ranch is only 10-20 minutes north of the city and will give you a chance to learn all about their coats, and the yarn we get from their fur. Learn through tours around the pen areas and see how the alpacas interact with one another. The farmers and families will also host yarn-spinning demonstrations, and various local vendors.
When: August 19-20
Where: 55305 Rge Rd 255 Sturgeon County
How much: free
Frontier Bison Farm & Gull Lake Honey Company
Visit two farms in one with the joint efforts of the Frontier Bison Farm, and the Gull Lake Honey Company. During your visit, you’ll have options for paid activities, and free activities. Those free activities include a tour of the honey extraction facility (every hour on the hour), access to a small petting zoo, and a playground with picnic areas. For an extra charge, take part in hayrides, u-pick, or candle making. A market and food truck will also be on site. Tickets are free but be sure to register for admission in advance.
When: August 19-20
Where: 41113 Range Road 282 Lacombe
How much: free
Aspen Grove Meadery
As this is a meadery, Aspen Grove will of course offer visitors mead tasting opportunities for OFDs. But you can also look forward to honey tasting! Honey, the key ingredient for mead, is made right here at Aspen Grove. And on your visit, you can start with a tour of the extraction facility before you embark on the tasting experience. Enjoy some time in their scenic outdoor picnic area, and shop at the onsite honey store.
When: August 19-20
Where: 19225 TWP 504 Beaver County
How much: free
Gathered and Grown Family Farm
Find exactly what is Gathered and Grown here for Open Farm Days. The Gathered and Grown Family Farm in Ponoka is usually open each Saturday for a Families on the Farm event. They’ll add to this on August 19th with face painting, animal feeding, interactions with the beehives, and a chance to extract your own honey to take home. Farm fresh goods will also be available for purchase like grass-fed beef, eggs, vegetables, and flowers.
When: August 19, 2023
Where: 13075 TWP 422 Ponoka County
How much: free
Bentgrove Farm
The Bentgrove Farm, northeast of Edmonton and near Redwater, has a full day of family fun planned for AOFD 2023. Join the livestock farm this August 19th for wagon rides, a barbecue with burgers for sale, demonstrations, or for guided farm tours. The tours include meet-and-greets with the resident animals like ducks, sheep, chickens, pigs, and bunnies.
When: August 19, 2023
Where: 58104 Rge Rd. 215 Thorhild County Redwater
How much: wagon rides $2
Deep Roots Farm
Lacombe’s Deep Roots Farm produces a staple crop for many meals: garlic! The farm is also home to a large garden and produces other vegetables. Stop by on Saturday or Sunday for a guided tour of the grounds, food samples, fresh lemonade, and a browse of the Farm Store. Their store offers Deep Roots’ own goods, as well as products from other farmers. You can also meet with some of the farm animals like alpacas, mini horses, hens, or cats.
When: August 19-20
Where: 38230 Rge Rd 254 Lacombe County
How much: free
Deb’s Greenhouse
Deb’s Greenhouse is north of Edmonton near Morinville and offers a scenic country store experience for garden shopping. And for open farm days, Deb’s Greenhouse has some extra kids-focused activities planned. Their mini golf is open for an extra cost, while the Secret Garden will hold treasures for kids to find. Upon entering, each kid receives a key to use to explore the Secret Garden’s treasure hunt. Deb also made it easy to set up for a picnic with space set aside, tables, and food trucks.
When: August 19-20
Where: 25505 SH 642 Sturgeon County
How much: mini golf $5-$9
The Edmonton Urban Farm
You can celebrate AOFDs this year without leaving the city at all: The Edmonton Urban Farm, as the name suggests, is in the heart of the city. This weekend is a perfect time to learn all about what grows here and what type of animals call the Urban Farm home. The day starts with bison education, and the Kids Club garden activities. Families can also tour the farm with three languages offered: English, French, and Spanish. The AGA will also be on site with additional artistic activities for kids.
When: August 19, 2023
Where: 11312-79 Street Edmonton
How much: free
Serben Farms
This family farm east of Edmonton and near Smoky Lake are open to the public on a regular basis with their Farm Store. The Serben Farms store offers goodies from their stock, as well as farmers and artisans from around Smoky Lake. The scenic farm is a welcoming place for visitors who can view the free-range livestock out front.
When: August 19-20
Where: 59246 Range Rd 180, Smoky Lake
How much: free
George Pegg Botanic Garden
The George Pegg Botanic Garden, north of Edmonton, will host their Rural Roots Farmer Showcase for AOFDs. Visit the garden this weekend for a chance to view the goods and products of multiple local farms. The gardens will make a perfect spot for a picnic and will be soundtracked by feature local artists.
When: August 19-20, 2023
Where: 56015 Range Road 43, Lac Ste. Anne County
How much: free
Shady Lane Estates
Shady Lane Estates is a relatively new farm near Edmonton. Shady Lane is, more specifically, a fruit farm and orchard. Those fields and orchards are filled with apple trees, rhubarb, raspberries, currant, sea buckthorn, choke cherries, Saskatoon berries, sour cherries and haskaps. Shop the u-pick selection or try the fruit wines. This weekend is a good opportunity to check out Shady Lane’s newest addition: bell tent glamping facilities.
When: August 19-20, 2023
Where: 58029 RR 44 Barrhead County,
How much: free to visit