Day in the Life
by Debbie Olsen
Feast at the Farm
Hit the country roads to visit some of Alberta’s unique farm experiences this summer story.
Sometimes you have to wander off the beaten path to find unique experiences, but it’s worth the trouble when you find something special at the end of a back road. Visiting a local farm is a memorable experience that offers the appeal of reconnecting with rural Alberta. Even if you’ve never lived in the country, a farm visit can give you a sense of homecoming and returning to your rural roots. It also provides the opportunity to enjoy the freshest food possible purchased directly from the people who produce it.
Broxburn Vegetables is one of many Alberta farms that opens its doors to visitors. Situated in southern Alberta just outside Lethbridge, Paul and Hilda de Jonge’s 80-acre farm has a 70,000 square-foot greenhouse, a farm store and a café that is open from March though December. You can purchase fresh produce from the store or pick it yourself right off the vine. For fruit, you can expect to find fresh strawberries from mid-June to the first fall frost, raspberries, black and red currants and saskatoon berries in season. Vegetables available include tomatoes, bell and hot peppers, cabbage, broccoli, butter lettuce, long English and pickling cucumbers, and they also sell fresh herbs. Unlike some larger wholesale operations, the de Jonges grow varieties of fruits and vegetables that are chosen for their flavour qualities rather than their yield. Their focus is on local produce, but during the colder months they bring in fruits and vegetables from other parts of Canada to supplement their stock.
For Shirley Bengry of Lethbridge, visiting Broxburn Vegetables is like going home. “I grew up on a 160-acre farm and stepping into their café is like popping into my aunt’s kitchen. The smells of fresh bread and buns baking, soups made from farm fresh vegetables, sandwiches and homemade fruit pies fresh from the oven really bring back memories for me,” says Bengry. “My entire family enjoys the trip and we always stop at the farm store to pick up some fresh produce while we’re there.” Bengry and shoppers like her would sooner buy homegrown, fresh produce not just for its superior smell and taste, but also because they like the idea that they are supporting local farmers.
Consumer-direct marketing is a growing trend for Alberta farmers and many producers are coming up with unique ways to entice visitors to venture out of the city. “Visiting a farm is an experience that allows you to connect with the farmer and his family. Wagon rides, festivals, farm stores and cafés can all be part of the experience. The added bonus is that you get to enjoy some of the freshest food available. There’s nothing more authentic than fresh produce in season,” says Kerry Engel, a rural economic development specialist with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
“While British Columbia is more advanced in its on-farm marketing approach, there is great support for buying local in Alberta too.” Sales through on-farm marketing and farmers’ markets currently total about $423 million, but recent research indicates that this number could almost double in the next five years to $820 million. “It’s one of the fastest growing and most exciting sectors in agriculture today,” Engel says. “And it’s directly related to farm families.”
While some producers have made the move to build farm stores and cafés right on their properties, others have taken a simpler approach by banding together to offer scheduled multi-farm tours. Such is the case with a group of Sturgeon County producers and agri-tourism operators who put together the Country Soul Stroll each July. This popular self-guided driving tour is now in its fourth year and attracts hundreds of visitors who enjoy fun farm experiences, country crafts and snacks. There are more than 20 operators who provide unique agricultural experiences such as trail rides and hay rides, a visit to an alpaca farm, a behind-the-scenes look at organic farming and a “live hive” demonstration on a real honey farm.
“Producers use on-farm marketing initiatives to increase farm income, but we’re not just selling products on the Country Soul Stroll, we’re offering an experience,” explains Patty Milligan, vice-president of the Country Soul Stroll and owner of Lola Canola Honey (one of the stops on the tour). “It’s a unique experience to wander through a country garden, to watch a lump of clay be transformed into a beautiful bowl or to see honey being extracted from the honeycomb.”
There are many ways to participate in a local farm tour. No matter which way you decide to join in – attend a farm festival, buy produce from a stand at a small farm, visit a u-pick operation or sample home cooking at an on-farm café – you’re sure to enjoy the experience of reconnecting with rural Alberta. On Alberta’s farms, you can appreciate the wonder of life as you watch the antics of young animals and see whole gardens sprouting new plants and filling with lush produce. And while you’re there, you can sample the delicious results of attentive country cooking.
Farm Fresh Fun on Alberta’s Back Roads
The Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association (AFFPA) is a 147-member organization dedicated to supporting the production of farm-direct market products in Alberta. You can get a copy of their Come to Our Farms brochure, which includes a helpful map, by calling 1-800-661-2642 or by visiting www.albertafarmfresh.com A complete listing is also available online. Here are a few farm experiences waiting for you in Alberta this summer. Be sure to call before you head out.
Broxburn Vegetables - Lethbridge area. This farm features a produce store, u-pick operation and café. Phone 403-327-0909 or visit www.broxburn-vegetables.com
Chinook Honey - Okotoks area. Art and Cherie Andrew’s apiary offers tours, has a working observation hive and a unique country store. Phone 403-995-0830 or go to www.chinookhoney.com
Country Soul Stroll - Sturgeon County. This organized event takes place July 22 and 23 just 20 minutes’ drive north of Edmonton. For ticket information and a full listing of participating operators, visit the website at www.countrysoulstroll.ca Phone 1-877-888-1757 for tickets.
CVC Farms - Pincher Creek area. This 70-acre diversified farm has a birding-supply store, fresh greenhouse tomatoes and fresh garlic in season. There’s also a large teepee that you can rent to enjoy the experience of camping on the farm. Phone 403-627-1935 or visit www.cvcfarms.com
The Garden - Calgary area. The Garden is best known as a u-pick farm with garden plots that city folk can rent to grow their own fresh produce. There is also a trout pond in which you can cast a line and a garden centre that offers light refreshments. Phone 403-936-5569 or visit www.thegardencalgary.com
Glengary Bison - Airdrie area. This bison farm has its own onsite meat locker and a store that sells bison meat and other items such as healthy bison dog treats. Phone 403-948-9675 or visit them online at www.glengarybison.com
Inspired Market Gardens - Smoky Lake area. Fresh culinary herbs, edible flowers and gourmet greens can be purchased onsite at this sustainable farming operation. You can also purchase pre-mixed gourmet salads or organic pasteurized poultry. They have a country store and in the spring you can assemble your own hanging flower basket. Phone 780-963-5625 or visit www.manymilesfarms.com
The Jungle - Innisfail area. Several special events make this unique farm a must-visit. Events include the annual strawberry festival on July 22, customer appreciation day on August 5 and the scarecrow festival on October 7. There’s also an onsite store, a u-pick operation, fresh produce, fresh flowers, refreshments and a playground. Phone 403-227-4231.
Linda’s Market Garden - Smoky Lake. There’s a little bit of everything on this farm including bedding plants and trees; fresh produce; homemade jams, jellies and pickles; local honey and frozen cabbage rolls and perogies. There’s also a picnic area, a small ice cream kitchen and a country store. Phone 780-656-2401.
The Saskatoon Farm - Okotoks. A garden centre, gift shop, café, and u-pick operation are some of the highlights of this venue. You can also purchase pre-picked fruit, buffalo and saskatoon smokies, saskatoon jam and chokecherry jelly and syrup. Phone 403-938-6245 or visit www.saskatoonfarm.com
July. This popular self-guided driving tour is now in its fourth year and attracts hundreds of visitors who enjoy fun farm experiences, country crafts and snacks. There are more than 20 operators who provide unique agricultural experiences such as trail rides and hay rides, a visit to an alpaca farm, a behind-the-scenes look at organic farming and a “live hive” demonstration on a real honey farm.
“Producers use on-farm marketing initiatives to increase farm income, but we’re not just selling products on the Country Soul Stroll, we’re offering an experience,” explains Patty Milligan, vice-president of the Country Soul Stroll and owner of Lola Canola Honey (one of the stops on the tour). “It’s a unique experience to wander through a country garden, to watch a lump of clay be transformed into a beautiful bowl or to see honey being extracted from the honeycomb.”
There are many ways to participate in a local farm tour. No matter which way you decide to join in – attend a farm festival, buy produce from a stand at a small farm, visit a u-pick operation or sample home cooking at an on-farm café – you’re sure to enjoy the experience of reconnecting with rural Alberta. On Alberta’s farms, you can appreciate the wonder of life as you watch the antics of young animals and see whole gardens sprouting new plants and filling with lush produce. And while you’re there, you can sample the delicious results of attentive country cooking.
