BARRHEAD -Local residents can get a better idea of the agriculture industry and how their food ends up on the plate at the farm days event this month.
Alberta Open Farm Days is a province-wide event that gives everyone a chance to visit farms and agriculture businesses to experience different types of agriculture industries and their products.
Barrhead and area have two fantastic free tours to offer on Aug. 17 where businesses open their gates to visitors for the day any time between 9:30 a.m. and 5 pm.
“On Saturday, come out when you want and stay as long as you want during the day,” said Nadine Quedenbaum, previous Farm Days host and co-organizer.
“It is a free event, showing people what goes into running a farm business,” said Uwe Quedenbaum, Barrhead Seed Cleaning Co-op Chair and previous Farm Days host.
These hosts give visitors a backstage pass into learning about their specialty in agriculture businesses.
The Birch Creek Farms is an opportunity to experience a bison farm with tours available through the bison pasture on a hayride trailer so that you can see the bison up close. An orphaned bottle-fed bison calf is waiting to meet everyone and get some pets.
In-person meat processing demonstrations and activities will be an interesting learning experience for those who attend.
A lunch will be available at the Birch Creek Farm of delicious bison food selections for a nominal fee.
The address for the Birch Creek Farm is 3521 Highway 661, north of Vega.
The Barrhead District Seed Cleaning Co-op has a wheel house of demonstrations including seed processing, seed cleaning including weed seed and impurities removal.
The opportunity to learn about upgrading of commercial grain, seed treating and seed sales will be take-aways from a visit on August 17 to the Barrhead District Seed Cleaning Co-op.
Tours of the plant walk visitors through all of the process steps involved.
In-depth explanations and demonstrations will peak your interest in all things seeds.
Get your questions answered about what is used to clean seeds.
2020 Seed Labs Canada will be on hand to discuss their seed testing laboratory.
“They will have a display to talk about seed quality and diseases,” said Uwe Quedenbaum.
“Samples of farmer’s seeds are tested prior to cleaning.”
Gateway Research Organization (GRO), based out of Westlock, will have a display set up to share information about taking the risks out of testing products, crops, soil health and sustainability.
It is a non-profit research company led by farmers for farmers.
The address for Barrhead District Seed Cleaning Co-op is 5810- 49 Street in Barrhead.
“There is so much misinformation out there and we would like people to come out and see for themselves,” said Nadine Quedenbaum.
“This is the chance to ask questions directly of the farmer and get answers to their questions.”
“Our focus is the educational opportunity,” said Uwe Quedenbaum.
There are other farms in nearby communities that can be visited on August 17.
The triple Lyoness mixed livestock farm near Westlock is another Alberta Farm Days visit.
The Open Alberta Farm Days Host AG businesses can be found on the website, albertaopenfarmdays.ca/ofd-farms.
