SWIFT CURRENT — A pilot program called Open Farm Days will come to Saskatchewan this summer.
The program creates an opportunity for consumers to visit places where their food comes from, see how they operate and for farmers and ranchers to sell some product.
Consultant Ashley Stone outlined the Aug. 10 and 11 event to a Swift Current tourism conference.
To date she has 25 operations, including the Hodgeville Hutterite Colony signed up for the event.
The Hodgeville Colony “is excited about it.’’
She suggested offering free access and tours as part of the experience as well as selling product.
Items for sale can range from produce, meat, crafts to home-cooked meals.
Alberta is entering its 12th year of Open Farm Days with 350 farms signed up.
Last year Alberta Open Farm Days participants took in $1 million in sales, boosting rural tourism and farm sustainability.
“Swift Current has been really good at signing up.’’
Farmers can get information on the event and register at farmfoodcaresk.org. Deadline to register is May 26.
Ron Walter can be reached at [email protected]
