Visitors Grow Ag Knowledge at Farming Smarter!

Farming Smarter saw 313 visitors enjoy learning about agriculture at its Aug. 17 Open Farm Days event

The annual opportunity to learn about everything agriculture hosted 20 booths full of family fun and learning. Partners from multiple sectors of agriculture came together to provide an unforgettable experience and foster engagement in the industry.

Several Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researchers, 1^st Choice Savings & Credit Union, agronomist Plants Dig Soil Consulting, Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District, and Chinook Equipment provided learning displays. Community organizations Oldman Watershed Council, Tourism Lethbridge, Lethbridge Polytechnic, Canada's Premiere Food Corridor, Urban HensYQL, and Gentle Giant Acres petting zoo expanded the learning. Alberta Pulse Growers and Real Estate Centre sponsored our learning opportunities and enhanced the event for guests.

This year, the focus was on soils and water as multiple stops in the learning adventure included questions related to irrigation and maintaining strong soil health. Visitors had a chance to ask farmers questions and tour the crops - even digging into our potato plots!

They came for the fun and stayed for the learning!

With plenty to learn about how food gets from the farm to the table, guests were thoroughly entertained. Though many came for the bouncy castle, they stayed for the excitement of our learning adventure.

Guests visited each booth, asking questions about the role each organization played in agriculture to get a sticker. Each sticker put them closer to a prize as they completed our Farm Bingo. Many guests found themselves so engaged they spent lots of time exploring their curiosities.

The steady flow of traffic meant booths were busy throughout the event, even while guests piled onto the wagon for the crop tour. Out in the field, Farming Smarter staff highlighted research plots and how agronomy helps farmers improve the quality of their crops and soils. Guests visited bee tents to learn about pollination management and its role in farming before walking through canola, flax and potatoes.

Each stop of the crop tour offered a chance to learn more about what makes for a successful crop in southern Alberta and why farmers choose to grow specific crops. After walking through the plots, guests left with a smile and fresh potatoes.

Preparing for bigger and better things

With every event, Farming Smarter strives to elevate the next one above its predecessor. Keep an eye out for the Alberta Open Farm Days dates in 2025, where you can be sure we’ll eclipse this year’s event!

If you wish to participate, or have ideas on how we can grow the event, reach out to Claudette or Sean today!