Alberta Open Farm Days opens roughly 150 sites Aug. 15-16
The annual event lets Albertans visit farms and related sites across the province, with a 2026 theme focused on rangelands and the people who manage grazing animals.
Why it matters
The event gives Albertans a direct look at how farms and ranches operate and contribute to the province's economy.
Alberta Open Farm Days runs Aug. 15 and 16, with about 150 sites taking part across the province this year. Executive committee member Tannis Baker said the theme, 'Rangelands and Pastoralists,' highlights farmland used for grazing and the people who manage those animals, including on Crown land that ranchers pay to use for grazing in areas such as provincial parks.
Baker said the theme connects to Alberta's beef industry and its economic importance, while also opening discussion about rangelands and wetlands shared by cattle, sheep, bison and migratory birds. She said the event gives urban residents a chance to connect directly with farmers, including those with farm-direct meat programs that can offer a price advantage by cutting out middlemen.
Not every site is a traditional farm; participants can also visit breweries, museums, dams, an apiary or a long-table dinner. Some locations require reservations through the event website, and most sites are free to enter, though some offer paid add-on experiences.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.