Agritourism in the Grande Prairie Region
Head to The Source
Agritourism in the Grande Prairie Region
One of the (many) reasons people travel is food. There’s lots of fantastic places to dine in downtown Grande Prairie – seriously, you gotta eat here – but today we’re headed straight to the source. Agritourism is a fantastic way to explore the farms, ranches, and vineyards of a region, and get to sample delicious food direct from the field (or branch, or hive…)
Understanding a region’s farms is also a way to better understand the people who live there. Food is at the heart of any culture, after all, and the Grande Prairie region is no exception. Nestled within the stunning landscapes of the Peace Country, we have plenty of opportunities for you to experience unfiltered and unforgettable agritourism.
In celebration of Alberta Open Farm Days, an annual two-day event in August that encourages people to visit Albertan farms and discover where their food comes from, we’ve decided to highlight some of our favourite local agri-spots. Wherever you end up heading, be sure to bring an appetite – you and your crew will need it!
Farm 2 Table on 51
Farm 2 Table on 51 is a small U-pick farm just outside of Sexsmith, run by the Anderson family. They grow seasonal organic vegetables and over 80 varieties of flowers in an 8000 sq. ft. garden and supply our local communities with fresh produce and bouquets through innovative subscription services.
Country Roads RV Park
Feel like getting lost? Country Roads RV Park b
Boasts a nine-acre corn maze for you and your kids to explore, not to mention a prodigious pumpkin patch and teeming fruit orchards. This means there’s plenty of tasty food and local homemade goods to sample, from Saskatoon berry pies to waffles and pancakes made from home-grown and home-ground wheat and rye.
Joosed Moose Winery
As part of the Country Roads RV Park, the Joosed Moose Winery takes advantage of a large orchard that includes 12,000 strawberry plants, raspberries, apples, and cherries to produce a range of fruity and flavoursome wines. They are most famous for their award-winning Saskatoon berry wines, delivering a uniquely Western Canadian taste!
Paradis Valley Honey
We’ve spoken about Paradis Valley Honey before – it really is a hidden sweet spot of the Grande Prairie region! Bringing seven generations of beekeeping knowledge to bear, Paradis Valley produces Grade A raw honey and pollen through sustainable methods. Guests can sample food and drink made with this honey at the onsite Valley Bee Café, as well as tour the hives and see a fantastic Insta-worthy mural.
Broken Tine Orchard
Ever tried a Haskap berry? Just southwest of Beaverlodge, the Broken Tine Orchard cultivates over 20,000 Haskap plants every year. You can sample the distinctive, fruity Haskap wine on-site – it pairs very well with steaks and seafood – and your kids can enjoy a Fricey’s Fruit Pop or two made from Haskap berries as well!
MAXIMIZE YOUR AGRITOURISM EXPERIENCE
A few quick tips can help you ensure you get the most out of your visits:
- Wear flat, closed shoes – no heels or flip-flops! These are real farms with uneven earth.
- Wear a sun hat and bring sunscreen. We get a lot of sunshine in the Grande Prairie region, and high-UV days are common.
- Bring bug spray – bugs love farms almost as much as they love snacking on you.
- Avoid bringing your pets. Farms are sensitive ecological areas, and one playful pooch running amok can accidentally ruin a harvest.
If you’re heading out into the countryside in the Grande Prairie region, always bring a spare tire. Our roads are long and occasionally rough. Trying to arrange a tow truck can be tricky.
- Cell service is intermittent, and GPS tracking via your smartphone is not always available. Be sure to bring a physical map just in case – you can pick one up at the GRPTA Visitor Centre.
GET OUT THERE AND START TASTING!
We haven’t had time to mention that all these farms come with great photo opportunities. If you happen to head out to a Grande Prairie region farm – whether for Alberta Open Farm Days or any other time of the year – be sure to share your greatest snaps with us on social media! We’ll feature our favourites on our Facebook or Instagram pages.