By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter)

Rural neighbours waiting to see you during Open Farm Days

Jul 31, 2018 | 3:39 PM

LETHBRIDGE — Your rural neighbours are preparing to open their world for you during this year’s open farm days, on the weekend of August 18 and 19.
 
This is the sixth year for Alberta Open Farm Days, which has become an important ag-tourism event designed to help visitors experience and understand where their food comes from. The event began in 2012, as a collaboration project by the Government of Alberta, the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies, the Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance, Travel Alberta and participating farms and ranches.
 
Over 110 host sites and culinary events are being prepped across Alberta to showcase the province’s fast-growing rural tourism sector and everything farm life has to offer.
 
Host farms that participate, offer educational tours, opportunities to buy locally grown and homemade products, and activities like corn mazes, hayrides and petting zoos. While admission to the farms is free, there may be costs for some activities.
 
The culinary events feature top Alberta chefs who prepare dishes made from locally grown products. There’s a range of costs to participate in these events and space is limited, so it’s important to purchase tickets ahead of time.
 
Those interested can book tours and culinary events, or plan their trips across the province, by checking out the new Open Farm Days website albertafarmdays.ca 
 
There are dozens of farms and events specific to Southern Alberta.