Celebrating Kneehill County & Area at Trochu Arboretum & Gardens
As we gear up for this year’s Alberta Open Farm Days, we are especially excited to talk about the cluster region of Kneehill County, and the special festival that will be taking place there on August 17th. This event will run throughout the town of Trochu, with hotspots being the Trochu Arboretum, The Flower Show at the Community Centre, and the town’s Main Street with the Trochu and District Museum and local eateries. A community bus with circulate between all locations so you can park at one spot and enjoy all the town has to offer.
The location: A Haven of Natural Beauty
The Trochu Arboretum, lovingly nurtured by the Trochu & District Arboretum Society, stands as a testament to the vision of Sandy and Mary Welbourn. Established officially in 1989, this arboretum has blossomed into a cherished community asset, offering not just scenic beauty but also educational and recreational opportunities for all who visit.
Open Farm Days Event
This year, Open Farm Days promises an immersive experience at the Trochu Arboretum & Gardens and throughout Kneehill County. From 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on August 17th. Visitors can delve into a full day of activities celebrating agriculture, sustainability, and local culture, featuring delectable local vendors, livestock, and workshops. Here’s what you can expect:
Live Demos and Workshops
There will be a series of live workshops going on for participants to engage with, covering a wide range of agriculture related topics! Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experts like Damian Perepelitza from Aspen Mosaic Homestead, who will demonstrate the art of maple syrup production, discover the secrets of biochar in agriculture with Jon Sedore from Trochu Arboretum & Gardens, and explore drought-tolerant gardening techniques with Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed from ALCLA Native Plants. Outside of these, guests can also look forward to interacting with live animals, learning sustainable practices like “how to compost”, and even a performance from the local favorite Ducks and Dogs Program.
Artisan Market
Attendees will have the opportunity to shop local crafts and goods at the artisan market, featuring
a variety of handmade products that showcase the talent and creativity of Kneehill County. There are also still remaining opportunities for new vendors in the gardens, with applications being accepted until July 31st.
Food & Drink
Indulge in local flavors with food and beverage options highlighting the best of the region’s produce and culinary heritage.Think wine tastings from artisanal wineries, cheeses from local small-batch cheeseries, and just about everything in between, made fresh, locally, and sustainably.
Bus Tours
Attendees will have access to all-day convenient bus tours shuttling guests between the Flower Show at the community centre, the Trochu Arboretum, and main street attractions including the Museum. Buses will circulate between all three major stops from 10AM-5PM each day, on an ongoing basis, free of charge.
Live Music by Cole Martin
While you take in all of the sights and smells, guests will also be able to enjoy the melodies of local musician Cole Martin as you explore the Arboretum grounds. Cole is a local country music artist born and raised in a small town in the heart of Alberta. From an early age, Cole knew that music was his calling. He began playing guitar and writing songs as a teenager, honing his craft and developing a unique sound that blends traditional country with modern influences.
Meet some of the Participants:
Several local farms and businesses from Kneehill County & Area will be participating in this year’s event, offering a glimpse into their operations and products. The list is long, but among them are:
- DNA Gardens: Specializing in growing fruit in Alberta, DNA Gardens invites you to explore their offerings and learn about the possibilities of fruit cultivation in the region. DNA Will also be hosting a fruit wine tasting in the VIC!
- Kirks Alpaca’s & Jill Brody Ducks & Dogs: Visit with Peanut & Friends where you can experience firsthand the charm and joy of these unique animals, along with a lively demonstration from Jill Brody- Ducks & Dogs and assorted animals.
- Trochu Flower Show & Fair: Going on its 15th year, the Trochu Flower Show & Fair is set to put on a spectacular display. The show also features a judged competition of flowers and vegetables submitted by locals of their best specimens from their garden, giving guests the opportunity to explore a wide range of farms.
- Trochu Arboretum & White Start Permaculture: Join the experts from the Arboretum and White Start Permaculture and learn about the importance of biochar in agriculture and regeneration and your composting match!
- Trochu Motors & Brandt Agriculture: Kids and kids at heart can’t get enough of large scale farming equipment- we have you covered, come and check out equipment supplied by Trochu Motors and Brandt Agriculture.
Quotes from the Community
This event is something that the community is extremely excited about, and proud to host. A few members share their thoughts and anticipation below:
Fallon Sherlock, Manager of Parks & Agricultural Services for Kneehill County, expresses excitement about this year’s event: “Open Farm Days is a wonderful opportunity for our community to showcase our agricultural heritage and natural beauty. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the Trochu Arboretum & Gardens and sharing what makes Kneehill County so special.”
Jon Sedore of Trochu Arboretum & Gardens reflects on the event: “We are thrilled to host Open Farm Days and showcase how agriculture can harmoniously coexist with nature. Our Tree Garden will be a highlight, illustrating the importance of sustainable practices in our environment.”
Josee Kirk from Kirks Alpaca’s adds, “Our alpacas bring joy to everyone who visits our farm. We’re excited to share their cuteness and our love for farming with guests from near and far.”
Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re a local enthusiast or visiting from afar, mark your calendars for a day of exploration and discovery at the Trochu Arboretum & Gardens during Open Farm Days. Don’t miss this chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of Kneehill County’s agricultural landscape and experience it’s range of local businesses, all in one convenient area.
Click here to download the schedule!
In addition to the festival, there are also a number of farm experiences that guests can attend, which can be viewed on the below map:
For more information and to plan your visit, visit https://albertaopenfarmdays.ca/. We look forward to welcoming you August 17th & 18th!