Province-wide open house offers access to Foothills farms

Eight agri-tourism operations in the Foothills will open their doors this weekend as part of Alberta Open Farm Days. 

The 12th annual event, which runs on Saturday, Aug. 17 and Sunday, Aug. 18, is a province-wide open house that gives Albertans an opportunity to visit farms and other agricultural operations to learn where their food comes from. 

The event’s goal is to showcase Alberta’s agriculture and tourism industry in a fun and engaging manner to participants of all ages. 

Alberta Open Farm Days bills the annual weekend as a backstage pass to meet the farmer and taste local food and drink direct from the producer. 

In addition to the open houses, there will be a series of farm to table culinary events that will be held around the province, including one at Hartell Homestead, using Alberta farm products. 

For more information on the weekend, visit albertaopenfarmdays.ca. 

The following operations in the Foothills will be taking part in Alberta Open Farm Days: 

• Hartell Homestead 

Farm type: Highland cattle/mixed farm 

Location: 144208 Hwy. 543, Foothills County 

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days 

Website: hartellhomestead.com 

• Tierra Flores Florals & Botanicals 

Farm type: Flowers and herbs 

Location: 118016-2453 Dr. E, Foothills County 

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days 

Website: tierraflores.ca 

• OH Ranch Calgary Stampede 

Farm type: Cattle ranch 

Location: 224207 Hwy. 541 W, Longview 

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday 

Website: corporate.calgarystampede.com/about-us/our-ranches/oh-ranch/experience-education-at-the-oh-ranch 

• Bar U Ranch National Historic Site 

Farm type: Working ranch 

Location: 106138-2698 Dr. W, Longview 

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday 

Website: parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/ab/baru 

• Eau Claire Distillery 

Farm type: Distillery 

Location: 113 Sunset Blvd, Turner Valley 

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. both days 

Website: eauclairedistillery.ca 

• Spirit Hills Flower Winery 

Farm type: Winery 

Location: 240183-2380 Dr. W, Millarville 

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days 

Website: spirithillswinery.com 

• Priddis & Millarville Fair 

Farm type: Country fair and farmers market 

Location: 306097-192 St. W, Millarville 

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days 

Website: millarvilleracetrack.com/priddis-millarville-fair 

• Nanton Grain Elevators 

Farm type: Grain elevator site and museum 

Location: 2119-19 Ave., Nanton 

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days 

Website: nantongrainelevators.com