Artwork by Red Deer area artist Wendy Johnsen. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

AGRICULTURE

Open Farm Days welcomes Albertans to 160 farms Aug. 16-17

Aug 13, 2025 | 10:21 AM

If you’ve never taken in the offerings of Alberta Open Farm Days, make plans to do so this weekend.

The 2025 edition, which makes it 13 years for the province-wide event, runs Aug. 16 and 17.

Farms all around Alberta are taking part and you can be part of the action — just check out the interactive map HERE to plan out your trip, and maybe even hit up more than one of the 160 participating producers.

TRAD Worm Industries, an award-winning environmental agriculture company in Cypress County is the Medicine Hat areas lone participant in Alberta Open Farm Days.

TRAD specializes in vermicomposting and organic waste recovery. During the two days visitors to the company will get a hands-on look at the world of worms and soil health.

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat: Dec. 12-14

Dec 12, 2025

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat: December 5-7

Dec 05, 2025

WHAT'S ON

Top five things to do at the Medicine Hat Public Library in December

Nov 30, 2025

Visitors will welcome from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday at 12317 Range Road 65, which is a left turn off of Holsom Road.

It is encouraged to let them know you are coming by checking in online.

Several locations are participating in the Brooks area.

As organizing committee member Tannis Baker explains, this year’s theme is ‘Water, The Lifeblood of Every Farm’ — in recognition of the United Nations declaring 2025 the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.

“We need water for crops, for animals, you need them in processing, it’s really integral,” she says.

“We don’t have the crops we have in Alberta with irrigation, we also have dams — we have a lot of ways to learn about our waterways which our participating farms have taken to heart, and they’re telling the stories of how water impacts them.”

One participant, a brewery, will take attendees on a grain to glass journey.

Baker says Open Farm Days is also a good chance to recognize what the impacts are of international tariffs on Canadian producers.

“We have over 40,000 farms in Alberta, so that ability for people to support local and keep your money in Alberta is really important. I think people are feeling that right now,” she says.

“Wherever you visit on Open Farm Days, consider bringing your cooler, buy your proteins, buy fruits and vegetables.”

According to the Alberta Government, this province is Canada’s biggest producer of honey, beef and processed potatoes, not to mention the second-largest producer of wheat and canola.

More than 1.5 million arable acres are irrigated within Alberta’s 11 irrigation districts with an additional 300,000 acres irrigated through individual or private irrigators, the provincial government notes.

“Alberta’s rural and agri-tourism sectors play a vital role in the continued growth of our economy,” says Andrew Boitchenko, Minister of Tourism and Sport.

“Initiatives like Open Farm Days showcase Alberta’s rich agricultural heritage and invite visitors to discover the unique experiences, innovative farms and local business that lie outside the province’s top tourist destinations.”

Another notable aspect of 2025 Open Farm Days includes is the official artwork, done by Red Deer area artist Wendy Johnsen. Read about her work and inspiration here.

– With files from Jesse Gill