
2025
water
The Lifeblood of Every Farm
Based on the 2021 Census of Agriculture, there were 472 Alberta farms reporting bison (buffalo), and accounted for 48 per cent of the Canadian total (989 farms).
The total number of bison (buffalo) on Alberta farms were 65,405 head, accounting for 44 per cent of the national total (149,539 head).
Western Canada is home to 92 per cent of farms reporting bison in Canada, and 97 per cent of the national herd (149,539 head).
Alberta leads the nation in farmed bison inventories (65,405 head), followed by Saskatchewan (52,860 head), British Columbia (14,888 head), and Manitoba (11,725 head).
06.22.26The Grassland Is a Patient Teacher for Providence Lane Homestead
The Grassland Is a Patient Teacher Providence Lane Homestead is learning — and listening — in Alberta’s foothills There’s a moment Tara Klager looks…
06.08.26The Prairie at Night: How ALCLA Native Plants Is Keeping Alberta’s Grasslands Alive
The Prairie at Night: How ALCLA Native Plants Is Keeping Alberta’s Grasslands Alive, One Seed at a Time There is a moment, just after…
05.20.26Where the Bees Know the Land Better Than Anyone
There’s a particular kind of intelligence at work in the foothills west of Calgary. It doesn’t come from a textbook, a soil test, or…
04.11.26Roots in the Bush: How Lamberry Ranch Turned a COVID Dream into a Living, Working Farm
This Wasn’t the Plan. It Turned Out Better. When Gwen and her family left their five-acre hobby farm near Airdrie in search of more…
Alpaca and Llama Experiences
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Aurora Alpacas
In or near: AB, Alberta, Sturgeon County, Sturgeon County, AB
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Aurora Alpacas is a family-owned alpaca ranch on 80 acres.
We purchased our 1st two alpacas in 2017 and since then, we have produced National, Supreme and Color Champions, which we are extremely proud of. Currently we have 28 alpacas with 9 cria (babies) expected this summer.If you are curious about alpacas & the amazing fiber products and how they are produced come visit us to learn & experience this unique livestock firsthand. Learn to love alpacas like we do by getting a chance to:
- ask questions and gain 1st-hand knowledge about what makes alpacas so unique
- take photos and watch them in the pasture and up close
- handle fiber shorn from the alpaca this past spring, and samples from the various stages of processing fiber into yarn
- watch spinning/weaving demonstrations
- visit the market to purchase alpaca products, yarn and alpaca novelty items
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Big Country Agricultural Society
In or near: Oyen
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Join us for OPEN FARM DAYS!
We are excited to be apart of the 2024 Open Farm days event again this year. We have many exciting activities for all ages.What you can do:
- Petting zoo- enjoy interacting with the cute and furry animals
- Interact with Alpacas, Cows, pigs etc. for view
- We will have free horseback rides
- Butter making - make your own butter to take home and try
- Demonstration's from Chinook Applied Research -CARA
- Farmers market- to buy local produce and artisan products
- 3 legged races
- Barrel train rides
- Honey Bee display- watch honey bees hard at work
Join us for Supper!
5:00pm - 7:00pm -Supper avail for purchase - $20/per adult, 12 and under free. CASH ONLY- Food is provided by locally sources producers! *Subject to change* Corn on the cob New potatoes creamy dill sauce Assortment of salads Roast Pork and desert!Add
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Hartell Homestead
In or near: Foothills, Foothills County, Foothills County / Calgary
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Come On Down to Hartell Homestead
The Hartell homestead opened its doors to the public during open farm days 2020, since then we have grown significantly with a vibrant farm shop selling beef pork bison highland and chicken, we also have fresh vegetables right out of the garden( u pick is closed for open farm days). bring a cooler and stock up on all the amazing foods and crafts made right here in Foothills county.
Free farm tours are every hour on the hour of our farm. This includes meeting the Highland cattle, ducks, chickens, pigs and goats. We also boast a large market garden and grain fields. learn how are farm uses many fingers to make the fist well using sustainable practices of rotational grazing, water management and multi species farming to not only grow food but grow soil.
Tours are every hour on the hour and Swing on in to see all the animals learn about where your food comes from and take home some truly local ingredients grown here in the foothills.
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Healing Homestead
In or near: Parkland County
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Healing Homestead is a second generation family owned and operated mixed livestock farm located in Parkland County, AB.
We specialize in breeding, raising and conserving Heritage Breed poultry (Chickens, Turkeys, Ducks and a Peacock or two!) and our small herd of Alpacas. Our farm runs with the well-being in mind for the land and the animals we steward. The nutrient-density of our food is a direct reflection of the health of the ecosystem that produced it. Our thriving farm ecosystem produces nourishing pasture raised chicken, turkey, eggs, and produce. Zero chemicals, pesticides & hormones. All animals are fed a Corn & Soy Free diet. Healing our bodies with nutrient dense food inspired our on farm Exclusive Gluten Free Bakeshop. Using high protein & fiber rich Alberta produced flours to make delicious GF Baked Goods. We also offer other local farm products like Honey, Goat Milk Soaps, Candles, Plants, Holistic livestock feed (Chicken, Rabbit etc.) and more in our farm store. Check out our website for all the details. We invite our customers to connect with the land and where there food comes from, and find empowerment in our community while engaging with our products. Mission Using Permaculture practices to heal and rebuild the land we gratefully get to steward is the first step in our holistic approach to biodynamic farming. Food security, control over where our food comes from, water conservation management and being able to include our children in this process. Vision Food Sovereignty, Community & EmpowermentOpen Farm Day Schedule of Events
- Meet at the Tent every hour for a tour and Q & A session.
- Enjoy the sights and sounds of the open fresh country air, listen to the roosters crow, pet our friendly goats and Alpacas while sampling some delicious baked goods.
- Our year around Farm Store is stocked with Fresh Farm Preserves, Artisanal Gluten Free Pies, Cookies, Cinnamon Rolls & Sourdough, Spices & Seasonings, Good Morning Honey Products, Rooster Roaster Coffee, Farm Swag and more!
- Vendor Market with Quilting, Weaving and Alberta Wildcraft products.
- Take a stroll through our Forest where you can see Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys, Peacocks and even a Dinosaur too!
- Mini Golf & try your luck fishing for Rubber Duckies and win a prize. These activities are extra cost.
- Ducky Delights Treat Stand- Cold Drinks, Ice Cream Treats, Chips available for purchase (prefer cash)
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Kirk’s Alpaca Farm
In or near: Kneehill County, Torrington
Welcome to our Alpaca Farm! Enjoy a fun unique experience that every age can enjoy!
Kirks Alpaca Farm, a small family-run farm dedicated to caring for and nurturing alpacas.
WE REQUIRE A BOOKING for our farm and spaces fill quickly- please click on the reserve button to book
Come spend time among our 103 alpacas, where you can pet and feed them- We have treat bags available for $3 Kids and adults 😉 can enjoy the playground area with lots of swings, slides, plasma cars or play some basketball. We have a beautiful farm store where you can find everything alpaca! Check out some of our products HERE You can also sit, relax and enjoy the breathtaking views! Feel free to pack a picnic and enjoy some family time. ** We accept debit, credit and cash**Add
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Lone Pine Ranch B & B & Bale
In or near: Wildwood/Yellowhead County
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Welcome to the Lone Pine Ranch!
Looking for a relaxing place in the countryside? Come and visit us and our animals.
Hi my name is Sylvia. I am the owner of the Lone Pine Ranch Bed and Breakfast. With the support of volunteers from all over the world I run a herd of cattle and the B&B. When you come and visit our place our 3 dogs Jake, Shiloh and Willow will be the first ones to meet you, they love to welcome everyone of our guests personally. But there are many more animals to see: Alpacas, llamas, sheep, chickens, ducks, pigs, cats, guinea fowl, donkeys, a horse and a pony call the Lone Pine Ranch home. We are an active cattle ranch, cows, calves and bulls are here, but not necessarily in sight. Besides all the animals, we also run a Bed & Breakfast. Visitors can explore our cozy cabins and check out our dining room treats. There will also be a Country Market and Garage Sale at the ranch on Sunday the 16th of August with a variety of vendors from the region and Edmonton. Outdoor activities will include a roping station, horseshoe pitching, glitter tattoos and other games. Everyone is welcome to check out and observe the animals. There are eggs to collect in the chicken coop and we provide snacks so you can feed to the donkeys. For the Country market we will have a petting area for our sheep set up and you can watch our potbelly pigs relax in the sun. We are looking forward to welcoming you here at the ranch!Add
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Providence Lane Homestead
In or near: Cochrane, Dogpound, Water Valley
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Welcome to our frontier!
Providence Lane Homestead is a small-scale regenerative farm located just 45 minutes northwest of downtown Calgary. Since 2019, we have been Canada's only dedicated fibre farm to be certified Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World. With our flock of endangered heritage breed Border Leicesters - the breed was featured in the movie "Babe" - and a small troop of alpacas, we use our flerd to carefully manage the land we steward, including eight hectares of native prairie, a small outpost in a critically-endangered prairie ecosystem. We believe in building community and have worked extensively with many partners, including the University of Calgary, the Alberta University of the Arts, Emily Carr University of Art + Design as well as our amazing conservation partners like MultiSAR and Cows and Fish as well as other community members (we call them our fibre friends) like our amazingly supportive handspinners and weavers, artists, makers and more. We prioritize climate resilience and rare breed conservation as we work hard to raise our heritage breed sheep in an environment where they will not only thrive, but they'll also become a critical part of building healthy soil, water and carbon cycles. As much as we can be, we are an inclusive environment and welcome guests from every walk of life. For those of our guests who may require a quiet Sensory Space, we are pleased to provide an opportunity to ground yourself, catch your breath and re-establish your equilibrium. Please ask us and we will be happy to point you in the right direction! PARKING NOTE: We have plenty of parking across the road from the farm gate. Look for the sign and we will be ready to welcome you on foot at the homestead! Although we welcome all kinds of people to the homestead, we are unable to accommodate dogs. For everyone's safety and comfort, please leave your fabulous pooch at home. Clio, Brian and Mabel thank you!During Open Farm Days, join us at Providence Lane Homestead on Saturday,
- Are you homestead-curious? Take a tour of our small-scale regenerative farm as Tara walks you through a "day in the life" for our resident pastoralists!
- Join shepherd and Livestock Guardian Dog breeder Jacquie Turuk from Shars and Sheep and Honeybees as she answers questions and teaches our guests about our incredible dogs, Brian and Clio, and others like them. Some of the things you may discover - how long have humans been working with dogs on open rangelands? What do these dogs do? How are guardian dogs different from pet dogs? Should guardian breeds be pets?
- Go for a walk and get your hands dirty with Dr. Steven Tannas as we explore the ecology of native prairie grasslands and some straight talk about what it takes to actually restore native grasslands once they've been altered.
- Pull up a patch and settle in for some yarnin' about life on the prairie from some local (and colourful) storytellers. If you jog her memory, Tara might even tell the story about would-be ostrich wrangler, Chicken Fred. You don't want to miss it!
- Our "Down the Lane" marketplace will be humming with offerings including - a selection of our own blend of native wildflower seeds, sheeps' milk soap, Jacquie's own honey and once again we're thrilled to welcome Jill back from Marty Lynn with a curated, made-to-order collection of knitwear!
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Sunnyhill Alpacas/Twisted Sisters Mill
In or near: Leduc County
Love the Animals, live the life!
Book your tour time below!
For 27 years we have enjoyed these amazing animas, alpacas are not pets, they are simply beautiful animals that are enjoyed from a distance. When visiting the farm you will see alpaca mom's (dam's) alpaca dad's (sire's) and their beautiful babies (cria). They might be racing around the pen or enjoying an afternoon nap, regardless you will love them Sunnyhill like's to keep their alpacas calm and stress free, visitors are not allowed in the pen. **No dogs allowed (alpacas are terrified of strange dog's)** Alpaca has the perfect fleece for making cozy yarn, yes you read right, alpaca yarn is super soft naturally and hypoallergenic. Twisted Sisters Mill takes the annual shearing from Sunnyhill and produces the yarn right here on the farm. 100% local natural product.Renee Henry co-owner of the Twisted Sisters, will provide mill tours.
On the tour you will see and learn how this amazing exotic fibre is turned into beautiful yarn and roving's. Mill Tours will be once per hour each day, tickets must be booked and paid for in advance $10.00 per person, all proceeds will be donated to the Leduc Food Bank Saturday 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30. Sunday 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30. *You must be 12 years of age to go on the tour, What you can expect- Fresh air
- Alpacas in their natural environment
- Why we raise Alpacas
- Twisted Sisters Mill Tours
- Hand Spinning & Weaving Demo's
- A full market with Alpaca Yarn and finished products
FAQ
According to Statistics Canada*, Alberta has 28% of the nations total population of alpacas and llamas and 47.3% of the western Canadian total!
According to 2021 Census of Agriculture, Alberta now ranks second in llama and alpaca inventories on farms, losing the number one spot to Ontario.
*based on 2021 statistics


















