Agri-News: November 3, 2026 issue
See event listings and more articles in this edition.
Alberta Open Farm Days provides Albertans with an opportunity to connect with the people, places and products behind the province’s agriculture industry.
During this annual event, which is organized, planned and delivered by the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies (AAAS), farms, ranches and communities across the province open their gates to the public and share the story of Alberta agriculture.
In 2026, 133 participating farms recorded 51,061 visits to farms and culinary events across the province. Direct sales of food and products hit a record in the event’s 14-year history, with visitors spending a record $422,940. Since the inaugural Open Farm Days in 2013, Alberta farms have opened their gates more than 1,400 times, generating more than 380,000 farm visits and over $2.6 million in direct sales.
“The record spending we saw in 2026 demonstrates the value of connecting Albertans directly with local producers, while the strong number of visits shows there continues to be significant interest in experiencing agriculture firsthand,” says Tim Carson, CEO, Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies. “Open Farm Days gives producers an opportunity to tell their stories, build relationships with consumers and explore new opportunities for their farms and communities.”
Feedback in 2026 included the strongest visitor survey response to date. Of those surveyed, 45% visited one farm while 47.5% visited between 2 and 4 farms. Thirty-nine per cent of visits involved 2 people, while 37.5% involved groups of 3 or more, including families.
Visitors also expressed interest in expanding their Open Farm Days experience. Survey results included in the 2026 report show 77% were interested in planned routes for a single-day or full-weekend experience, while 60% were interested in unique overnight accommodations such as glamping, farm stays and camping.
Open Farm Days is also an opportunity for participating farms to test, learn and grow their agritourism offerings. Through AAAS, hosts have access to marketing, training, resources, event development and individual or community guidance to help them create stronger visitor experiences.
The program's impact can extend beyond the event itself. One participating farm reported first attending Open Farm Days as a visitor before becoming a host, saying the experience inspired them to begin welcoming visitors themselves. Another host highlighted the opportunity to educate people about their operation and agricultural processes.
“The success of 2026 reflects the work of our host farms, agricultural societies, communities and partners across Alberta,” says Carson. “We are excited by the continued growth of Open Farm Days and the opportunities it creates for producers, agritourism and rural communities. We look forward to building on that momentum in 2027.”
The 15th annual Alberta Open Farm Days will take place August 21 and 22, 2027, at participating locations across the province.
For more information, see:
Contact
Connect with the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies for more information:
Phone: 780-427-2174
Email: [email protected]
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