Open Farm Days at Chatsworth Farm went so well last year that Rick, Johanna, Charlotte, Nick and Alex Wasylik, who farm northwest of Vermilion, are looking forward to hosting the event again this summer, on Saturday, August 14th.
Chatsworth Farm participated in the province-wide event for the first time in 2020, and is now planning and expanding on last year’s success by adding a few new elements and partnering with new community groups. Open Farm Days is in its 9th year and is a collaborative, province-wide showcase under the umbrella of Alberta Agriculture, Travel Alberta, and the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies that gives all Albertans the opportunity to experience farms and agricultural operations where they can learn more about the farms and farmers who grow and raise their food, and have some farm fun.
Open Farm Days at Chatsworth Farm includes tours of the family farm with most of the animals, including beef cattle, sheep, chickens, geese, ducks, and turkeys, plus farm kittens and the family’s livestock guardian dog, Lizzy, and herding dog, Ash. Guided tours will be held every hour on the hour, beginning at 11 am and ending at 4 pm, featuring machinery demonstrations and also a look at the vegetable garden. After the tour, visitors are encouraged to bring lunch or a snack and a picnic blanket to enjoy a picnic in the pasture.
New this year at the Wasyliks’ farm is the Go Nuts 4 Donuts truck with mini donuts, along with community and farm partners including the County of Vermilion River and Ducks Unlimited. There will be pop-up shops from Chatsworth Farm (meat, eggs, garden produce weather permitting), the Old School Cheesery, and Fraîche Flower Farm from Tulliby Lake with garden bouquets.
Charlotte Wasylik, who’s in charge of marketing and social media for the family farm, said, “We have something for everyone, and you’ll get the full farm experience when you visit. We love to see that so many people are interested in learning about locally grown and produced food and seeing the behind-the-scenes of how it gets from our farm to their fork. Lots of Albertans have roots on the farm or want to learn more, so this gives them the chance to rediscover and explore those connections.”
Open Farm Days is a free event, with registration required again this year, so don’t delay. Spaces booked up very quickly last year. Even with all restrictions lifted in Alberta, we’re making every effort to provide a safe experience for all of our visitors, including those unable or too young to be vaccinated. Safety on the farm for farmers, animals, and visitors is paramount, so Chatsworth Farm is working with Crowd Design Inc. again this year to ensure that all current health guidelines and protocols are being followed to help offer a safe and enjoyable event for all.
The Wasyliks are grateful to Cornerstone Co-op, the County of Vermilion River, Ireland Farm Equipment, Klassen Cattle Equipment, and Peavey Mart for their support, and to all the volunteers for their help in making this event possible.
Chatsworth Farm will be open for Open Farm Days starting at 11 am on Saturday, August 14th, with the last guided tour at 4 pm. You can register at
https://albertafarmdays.ca/farm/chatsworth-farm/ and learn more at www.chatsworthfarm.ca/alberta-open-farm-days.html .
You can also scan this code with your phone’s camera to go directly to our event page.