(This story was written by Glenda Lee Vossler with SwiftCurrentonline)

Saskatchewan Open Farm Days is set to go this weekend (Saturday and Sunday), offering consumers an opportunity to experience agriculture firsthand while meeting the farmers, ranchers and food producers behind Saskatchewan-grown products.

Now in its third year, the initiative organized through Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan continues to attract growing interest from both host sites and visitors.

Saskatchewan Open Farm Days Coordinator Ashley Stone says the event helps bridge the gap between consumers and agriculture.

“We’ve seen Saskatchewan Open Farm Days become a great opportunity to connect consumers across Saskatchewan with the people growing the food that’s produced in our backyard,” said Stone. “There are so many great stories across the province that are looking to be told.”

Strong Growth in Participation

Over 35 host locations across the province including farms, ranches, orchards, and craft beverage producers, are opening their gates giving producers the opportunity to connect directly with consumers.

Interest in Open Farm Days continues to expand, with more people venturing out to visit with producers.

Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan estimates approximately 4,500 people attended the event in 2025, up from more than 3,000 visitors during the inaugural year in 2024.

Stone noted that organized bus tours have been especially popular with two of three tours already sold out ahead of the event.

One remaining tour will depart from Swift Current and showcase several unique agricultural operations throughout southwestern Saskatchewan.

Southwest Adventure Highlights

The Southwest tour on Saturday leaves from Swift Current and includes a stop at Krazy 8 Croft, where visitors can see Highland cattle and a sheep kissing booth.

Participants will also stop at Bendy Creek Botanicals, featuring pumpkins, flowers, Speckle Park cattle and chickens, before heading to Treasure Valley Markets to explore the petting zoo, playground, paddle boat rides and a chance to see berry and fruit production.

The day concludes at the Val Marie Heritage Elevator, where visitors can enjoy milling demonstrations and a farmer’s market.

Tickets are priced at $30 for adults and $15 for youth aged 15 and under through support from UFA.

Self-Guided Opportunities Across Saskatchewan

In addition to organized tours, residents can create their own Open Farm Days experience by visiting the website and mapping out their own stops and visiting at their own pace.

Stone says this flexibility allows visitors to focus on the farms, foods and agricultural stories that interest them most.

It’s the ultimate weekend “Ag-Cation” where local producers, market gardens, orchards, and ranches open their gates to show families how our food goes from farm to table

Participating locations extend across multiple regions of Saskatchewan, including operations near Moose Jaw, Assiniboia and Humboldt.

Humboldt Region Showcases Diverse Agriculture

Visitors travelling through the Humboldt area can stop at Golden Eden Produce, where greenhouse-grown vegetables are produced and shipped throughout Saskatchewan.

Other participating operations include Groveland Farm, which will host a long-table dinner, as well as Backroads Ranch and Farm in the Dell.

The sites provide opportunities to experience various aspects of agriculture, from fruit production to livestock and specialty farm enterprises.

Building Understanding Through Agriculture

Stone says one of the most valuable aspects of the event is the opportunity for consumers to have direct conversations with producers.

“The biggest part is being able to connect with the farmers and the producers directly,” she said.

Whether visitors are touring grain farms, livestock operations, breweries, distilleries or specialty food businesses, the event offers a chance to better understand how food is produced and the people behind it.

Organizers hope those connections will continue strengthening relationships between rural and urban Saskatchewan while showcasing the diversity and innovation found throughout the province’s agriculture sector.

Saskatchewan Open Farm Days takes place August 8 and 9, with event information, participating locations and ticket details are available here.