ST. PAUL – Multiple farms and agriculture-related businesses will open their doors to the public on Aug. 16 and 17 for the upcoming Alberta Open Farm Days, allowing people the opportunity to experience and learn agriculture production.
The initiative is part of a broader push to support agri-tourism and rural economies by connecting the public directly with producers, according to information from the Alberta Open Farm Days website, by serving as a platform for producers to showcase their operations while encouraging a better understanding of food production.
In St. Paul, participants include farming equipment supplier Caouette & Sons Implements on Aug. 16. This will be the first the business is participating with the annual event.
Yvon Caouette, owner of the business, said visitors will be able to tour the business's newly constructed facility. Depending on the weather, "We'll probably fly a spraying drone," to showcase emerging technologies that could benefit farming, he said.
According to Caouette, farming involves technology working behind the scenes, and the Open Farm Days is a chance to pull back the curtain and let people see that side of the industry.
The Buckroad Farmhouse Roasting Co., a farm and a coffee roastery based in the St. Paul area, is also participating. This is the second time the farm business has participated in the event. The co-owners are Breana, and her husband, Jeremy Malcolmson.
The couple bought the farmhouse during COVID-19 and started as a renovation passion project for Breana. The couple also has cattle but specializes in roasting coffee beans.
Breana recalled, "Because I loved coffee," her husband bought a coffee toaster. Eventually, people reached out expressing interest in what the couple was doing, including interested coffee bean suppliers.
The coffee has been roasting coffee ever since, with their product found in numerous businesses like coffee houses and restaurants throughout the Lakeland.
"We're looking forward to having people come out, see our property, and see the coffee roaster," and see first-hand, the process of coffee-making, said Breana. She said she sources its beans from farmers in different countries around the world. "We rely on agriculture to make our coffees."
Just like Caouette, the Buckroad Farmhouse will only be participating on Aug. 16, and invites people to come. In addition to having the opportunity to take a look at the business, there will also be fun activities for kids, said Breana.
