Fun family activities and fascinating insight into cutting-edge agriculture research are on display as Lethbridge College takes part in Alberta Open Farm Days for the first time. Everyone is invited to register for a tour or drop in at the college’s Research Farm, located minutes east of the city, on Saturday, Aug. 13.
The free, family-friendly event brings visitors onto the college’s 385-acre irrigated research farm to get an up-close look at the college’s agriculture operations, learn about Lethbridge College’s growing capacity in agricultural research, and talk with the college’s research teams about their ongoing projects. It also includes fun games and activities for younger visitors, including a farm equipment showcase and a farm bus tour.
“We are proud of the work we have done on our research farm since taking over management of it in 2020 from the Government of Alberta, and we are excited to share that work with all of southern Alberta,” says Megan Shapka, Director, Applied Research Operations. “By coming out during Open Farm Days, meeting our researchers and seeing their work in action, we know visitors will get a better sense of the way Lethbridge College contributes in our region’s active and important agri-food sector.”
Alberta Open Farm Days is a collaborative, province-wide, event that allows Albertans to experience agriculture and understand where their food comes from. Open Farm Days has taken place in Canada for over 10 years, starting in the Maritimes and moving west. 2022 will mark the tenth annual Alberta Open Farm Days.
The farm allows researchers in the Centre for Applied Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship to bring together industry partners, community organizations and students to collaborate on projects that benefit the local agriculture industry. The farm has created permanent space for much of the work of two of the college’s senior researchers. Dr. Willemijn Appels, senior research chair for the Mueller Irrigation Group, focuses on irrigation science and hydrology research. Dr. Chandra Singh, senior research chair in the Advanced Post-harvest Technology Centre, uses emerging technologies to create efficiencies in the drying, storage and processing of commodity and specialty crops.
Visitors can register for an 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. tour of Lethbridge College’s Research Farm on Aug. 13, and all are welcome to drop in for other activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More details, directions to the farm and registration information are available online.