People across the province are encouraged to choose locally grown and crafted wares all week and to take the time to, “come meet your rural neighbours!” during Open Farm Days on Aug. 15 and 16 to discover all things agriculture.
Open Farm Days offers Albertans a unique opportunity to experience life on the farm through guided tours, hands-on activities, local food experiences and conversations with the farmers and ranchers who produce our food. Whether you're a lifelong Albertan or visiting a farm for the first time, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Alberta is home to more than 150 approved farmers markets, countless farm-direct businesses and a world-class agriculture and agri-food sector that produces safe, nutritious food enjoyed both at home and abroad; the new experiences are endless.
“Local Food Week is an opportunity to celebrate the farmers, ranchers and food producers who work hard every day to put safe, high-quality Alberta food on our tables. From the fields and pastures to our farmers markets, grocery stores and restaurants, Alberta’s producers are at the heart of our communities and our economy. I encourage Albertans to get out, buy local and take the time to meet the people behind the food we enjoy.”
The Growing Greenhouses grants, a program funded by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), is supporting locally grown fruits and vegetables. Announced in late 2025, the three-year, $10-million program aims to drive growth in the industry and increase Albertans’ access to fresh local produce year-round.
Six local operations have been awarded Growing Greenhouses grants to support investment in the upgrading or expansion of facilities or equipment including Big Marble Farms, Hutterian Brethen Church of Holden, Gull Valley Greenhouses Ltd., groHERE Harvest Ltd., Trafford Farms Inc. and Star Produce Ltd.
“The joy of a farmers market is supporting your local make-it, bake-it and grow-it neighbors, enjoying their delicious, fresh and beautiful products and socializing with one big community family.”
Sustainable CAP is a five-year (April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation and resiliency in Canada’s agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
So, whether you are looking to visit a farm, check out a u-pick operation or just sit down at one of the many restaurants that feature Alberta products on their menu, Local Food Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the people behind our food.
Quick facts
- Under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Growing Greenhouses Program supports the year-round availability of locally grown food by boosting growth in the controlled environment agriculture sector.
- Through grants, the program supports the construction of new greenhouse operations and vertical farms or projects that increase the productivity of existing operations.
- As of the end of July, $7,524,000 in federal-provincial grant funding has been awarded to six controlled environment agriculture operators (greenhouses and vertical farms).
- This year’s Local Food Week runs from Aug. 10 to 16. Open Farm Days takes place on Aug.15 and 16.
- Open Farm Days has almost 150 experiences available this year.